Driving From Anchorage To Northern California (Fairbanks, Hyder: how much, purchase, maintenance)

[jdarker]

I am trying to plan a trip from alaska to california and i want to leave next month mid january. I just wanted to know which are the best routes to take and how long of a drive it would be from anchorage to california or at least seattle? I am driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer with 4WD. I have read on here that i do need a block heater. I have looked on mapquest and stuff to see how long it is going to be in terms of miles but that doesn't help with where gas stations and stuff are. And also the winter weather conditions in janurary and how much light is out

[Alaska Deb]

You can order Milepost which tells you everything you'd ever want to know about the trip...gas stations...food...etc.

Good Luck

[Rance]

http://themilepost.com/

If your already in Alaska...I would think you'd already have a block heater. More than likely you won't need it once you arrive in California. The Cassiar Highway would more than likely be your shortest route driving. I have not been on the road since 1978 (when it no more than a trail) so I know nothing about it's current condition or gas stations. The Milepost may help. Anchorage to LA is 3,712 miles. If you can drive 500 miles a day...you should be able to do it in about 7 days.

[warptman]

Don't take the Cassiar in winter. Most, if not all the places that are open in the summer are closed in the winter and there is less maintenance. The Cassiar is about 150 miles shorter but the Alcan is kept open more due to semi traffic.

[Tressa]

We were told not to take the Cassiar in the winter months also, the road is narrow and the snow burms are fairly high. With our experiences in winter time driving to and from Alaska I would stick to the main Alcan Highway 1, we tried a short cut that cut 150 miles off our trip can't remember the name of the highways but we got on it at St Johns I beleive. An abslutely beautiful drive but very windy, with climbs and declines goes down into the valley or gorge. I wouldn't recommend it in the dead of winter though, nothing on the highway was open fortuntely we carried extra diesel as we needed it.

[stiffnecked]

Don't take the Cassiar in the winter. You might be able to find a copy of the Milepost at
Wal-Mart in Anchorage or Fairbanks. You really need a copy of that for a winter trip...

[Marty Van Diest]

One more time...from personal experience, Don't take the Cassiar in the winter.

[warptman]

Did we mention not to take the Cassiar? Take the Alcan, that way you can stop at the Laird Hot Springs and relax in 100+ water on a nice -20 degree day.

[RAMFEB31]

I agree, The Cassiar is definitely a no no during winter though I've only driven once in Winter 3 years ago. In my personal opinion, even Summer is not worth using it unless you are not in a hurry or have business there. I've been on it 5 times, 4 going up and once going down. The last few times during the Summer was to visit the miners along the way and visit that jade outlet. The Canadian hiway people have been rebuilding/repaving this #37 in the last 3 year or so. They've started from the South end working North but it is a slow progress. Last Summer, coming up, they've have paved about a 1/3 way up. It is like going from a super hiway to gravel road so to speak.

And, when you are ready to cross the border to WA., I think you will find the Sumas entry (Abbotsford) is best since there are less traffic and actually shorter than the entry directly to I-5. Don't forget, certain meat product is not allowed. Have proof of purchase or, the very least, your recent Alaska address if you are bringing fish from Alaska. They were about to take my halibut away last year until I show them a Alaska store receipt.

[stiffnecked]

Seconds on Sumas. I still like the Casssiar in the summer. You can't stop in Hyder if you don't take it. Everyone should stop in Hyder at least once or twice.