Moving to Alaska need help with travel information (Fairbanks, Haines: job, medicine)

[Cursing]

I am moving to Fairbanks from Calif at the end of January and am going to take the marine hwy from Bellingham WA to Haines AK. I then plan to drive to Fairbanks from Haines. Will there be any problems driving through Canada to Fairbanks and will I need a pass port to cross the Canadian border into Alaska from Haines. If there is any one that can help me with this information I would surely appreciate it. Also what would the road conditions be like during this time of the year.

[Metlakatla]

Yes, you will need a passport.

Road conditions will suck.

Have a great trip.

[Arcticthaw]

Make sure you have antifreeze good to -60, winter lube in the gear boxes and diffrentials. Plenty of warm clothes and a way to make a fire.

The tempatures on the highway can reach -60 during Janurary, Plan your trip, get a Milepost travel guide. Wear your warm clothes with the heater turned down. If you do have an accident your survival gear is already on. This may save your life if you hit a moose and it lands in the cab of your car.

[warptman]

When I drove up in December a couple winters ago, I did the same thing, had the snowpants on and a polar fleece jacket on, the parka was off but behind me on my seat. Did the bunny boot driving, but I wound up scaring the heck out of me so I just wore tennis shoes. Keep your tank on the upper half of full and gas up whenever you can. Try avoid night driving, this is when the critters are on the road.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Cursing

I am moving to Fairbanks from Calif at the end of January and am going to take the marine hwy from Bellingham WA to Haines AK. I then plan to drive to Fairbanks from Haines. Will there be any problems driving through Canada to Fairbanks and will I need a pass port to cross the Canadian border into Alaska from Haines. If there is any one that can help me with this information I would surely appreciate it. Also what would the road conditions be like during this time of the year.

No, you will not need a passport. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative web site at the State Department and Department of Homeland Security both say that "a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate" is sufficient until the Summer of 2008 (exact date has yet to be determined). Bring only the original documents, photocopies will not be accepted.

[Cursing]

Thanks everyone for the advise. I am looking forward to getting up to Fairbanks and starting my new job. I appreciate the advice Artcicthaw on winterizing my vehicle which is a Dodge diesel truck. At least if I do run into a moose I will have a fair chance of survival LOL and thank you, Glitch for the web links for the information about needing a pass port.

[Metlakatla]

Oh hell, I thought that passports were going to be mandatory starting in Jan. '08.

[warptman]

Heres a few links on road conditions to keep an eye on.

http://www.gov.yk.ca/roadreport/

http://511.alaska.gov/default.asp?di...textOnly=False

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/

http://www.highwayconditions.com/

And if you plan on driving the entire Alcan Highway.....

http://www.drivebc.ca/ for British Columbia

http://www.themilepost.com/faq/hwy_drivingfacts.shtml

http://www.explorenorth.com/library/...t-akwinter.htm

[Xa'at]

Regarding the marine portion of the trip...
If you leave towards the end of January you will be riding on the Mal, which leaves at six in the evening every Friday, and arrives in Haines at one in the afternoon on Monday. For someone unused to ferries, it can be a long ride and you will DEFINITELY want to pack some seasickness medicine, even if you've never had a problem before. There is a short stretch crossing the Sitka sound that can be brutal, and the Mal is not as big as the vessel that usually makes this voyage, the Columbia (which is currently in for repairs).
You didn't mention whether you are traveling with kids, but if you are, reserve a cabin, it will save your life. You will need to buy your tickets in advance, though. As soon as you have a concrete date, go buy your tickets. The prices are the same whenever you book, but you are guaranteed to get a room you want, as they sell out quickly. In the summer you can pitch a tent on the solarium out on deck, but in winter you'd be ill-advised to try this. As a general rule, there is a room full of reclining chairs designed specifically for non-cabin passengers, but it's surprisingly normal for people to claim a sleeping spot pretty much "where they land". It's kind of like downtown Juneau right after happy hour at the Alaskan.
There are [shared] bathroom facilities and showers available, as well as a cafeteria, but the food is really expensive (just our way of saying "Welcome to Alaska!") so bring what you can. There are scheduled times when you can go down to the car deck and take things out of your car, so you don't have to pack everything around. Be aware that if you have a pet it must stay on the car deck, which is not climate controlled, and could easily freeze during the winter.
Best of luck!

[barnacle9]

In the 90's when I rode the Columbia frequently to SE from WA, I would pitch a tent just aft of the solarium.

I have not been aboard the Malaspina, so I don't know the rules.

BYO booze and food!

It is a very nice trip - I second Xa'at on bringing seasick pills.