How's the drive from Haines to Anchorage? (hotel, trip)

[Classic Satch]

I've been thinking about driving my AWD CR-V from San Jose to Bellingham and then taking the ferry to Haines. From there I would drive to Anchorage. It seems to be a hell of a lot cheaper than just having my Honda shipped.

Any comments on that drive, which will happen at the end of March or April?

[warptman]

Just drive all the way up, beats sitting on a ship for three days, lots of country to see on the Alcan. I've done the Alcan 13 times now, it gets better everytime I drive it. Its paved all the way now. You'd love it.

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by warptman

Just drive all the way up, beats sitting on a ship for three days, lots of country to see on the Alcan. I've done the Alcan 13 times now, it gets better everytime I drive it. Its paved all the way now. You'd love it.

I'd be driving this myself though. I wonder if it would just be safer to take the ferry most of the way. Not that I'm a wimp but I have a 1 year old daughter that is the light of my life and I don't plan on checking out until I grab my chest and hit the ground in about 20-30 years, hopefully.

[warptman]

A couple of years ago I drove down to Seattle for the Supercross alone and back, it was no problem. I consider the Alcan a safe highway, if you are pulled over to the side and your hood is up, everyone usually stops and asks if you're ok. The longest stretch without service is roughly 100 miles.

How to drive in winter...
How to Drive to Alaska in the Winter - ExploreNorth

How to drive in summer...
How to Drive to Alaska in the Summer - ExploreNorth

The Alaska Highway.
A Guide to the Alaska Highway (Alcan) - ExploreNorth

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by warptman

A couple of years ago I drove down to Seattle for the Supercross alone and back, it was no problem. I consider the Alcan a safe highway, if you are pulled over to the side and your hood is up, everyone usually stops and asks if you're ok. The longest stretch without service is roughly 100 miles.

How to drive in winter...
How to Drive to Alaska in the Winter - ExploreNorth

How to drive in summer...
How to Drive to Alaska in the Summer - ExploreNorth

The Alaska Highway.
A Guide to the Alaska Highway (Alcan) - ExploreNorth

Hey, thanks a lot for the info. I'm born and raised in western Pennsylvania so cold and snow aren't exactly anything new to me.

The wife and I are moving to Alaska because, in part:

A) We realized just how much we truly hated uber-urban style living and it's accompanying headaches. Not to mention the liberals. (RIP User 2, NOT!)

B) Alaska state income taxes (none) vs California taxes (9.25%) puts well over $12,000/yr net back into our pockets

C) We miss the snow and cold. I never thought I'd say it but sunny and 80 most days of the year gets mighty freakin' boring. I've seen precisely one lame-ass T-storm and zero snow since we moved here from PA.

D) Northern Exposure is our guiding light. SARCASM DEFINITELY INTENDED HERE.

But seriously, I appreciate the help.

[warptman]

How to convince someone to drive the Alcan.....

Outside of Fort St. John, BC northbound.


South of Fort Nelson, BC...


Entering Stone Mountain Provincial Park.






Munch Lake Provincial Park, BC








Liard River Bridge.


Near Liard.


Bridge at Teslin, Yukon Territory

[Classic Satch]

Wow, exceptionally impressive! I'll post back here tomorrow with more questions but I have to retire for the evening. Said 1 year old daughter tends have my sleep cycle completely revolve around hers. Thanks bro!

[warptman]

You are welcome. These pictures were taken last August '07. This was a three week trip to Montana with a side trip to Utah for a Rush concert.

[rotorhead]

With apologies to the Warpt One, the ferry trip up the Inside Passage ain't exacly ugly either. Seems that tens of thousand of folks pay big bucks each year for the same scenery from the fancy cruise ships.

I've driven the AlCan as well, and for my money the prettiest section by far is between Haines Junction and Haines, up and over the pass. Probably still be snow-covered that time of year, but still quite scenic.


Haines is a nice place to look at as well, but you'll probably be coming in a bit early to catch the green-up.


Another consideration is the "car seat issue". We elected to drive up here last fall WITHOUT our three-year old (he flew to Juneau with grandma and took the ferry up) to spare him all that time strapped in. To drive the Alcan from CA to Anchorage you're probably looking at six to seven days, and some pretty long ones at that. Is your child up to a weeks worth of eight-ten hour days in the car seat all at once?

Are YOU up to a week-long roadtrip in a small car with an infant? Eating in greasy spoons every meal and listening to the same DVDs in the back seat over, and over, and over....and did I mention that they still smoke in restaurants in much of rural Canada? It was an unpleasant surprise to us, a reminder of the bad old days where cigarette smoke was everpresent.

If you take the ferry (and with a kid DEFINATELY book a cabin) you can walk around, watch DVDs (bring your portable player), take leisurely meals and snacks, and play with the other kids. No car seats, no seatbelts, no nervously watching for buffalo on the road along the worlds darkest section of highway at night. For most kids the strumming of the engine noise in the cabins is like white-noise, my boy drops off in moments when he's tired on the boat.

For me it's a no-brainer. Save the AlCan roadtrip for when the kids are old enough to REALLY bug you with the "are we there yet?" and having to always pick the hotel with the pool, no matter how ratty it is.

[Classic Satch]

Originally Posted by rotorhead

With apologies to the Warpt One, the ferry trip up the Inside Passage ain't exacly ugly either. Seems that tens of thousand of folks pay big bucks each year for the same scenery from the fancy cruise ships.

I've driven the AlCan as well, and for my money the prettiest section by far is between Haines Junction and Haines, up and over the pass. Probably still be snow-covered that time of year, but still quite scenic.


Haines is a nice place to look at as well, but you'll probably be coming in a bit early to catch the green-up.


Another consideration is the "car seat issue". We elected to drive up here last fall WITHOUT our three-year old (he flew to Juneau with grandma and took the ferry up) to spare him all that time strapped in. To drive the Alcan from CA to Anchorage you're probably looking at six to seven days, and some pretty long ones at that. Is your child up to a weeks worth of eight-ten hour days in the car seat all at once?

Are YOU up to a week-long roadtrip in a small car with an infant? Eating in greasy spoons every meal and listening to the same DVDs in the back seat over, and over, and over....and did I mention that they still smoke in restaurants in much of rural Canada? It was an unpleasant surprise to us, a reminder of the bad old days where cigarette smoke was everpresent.

If you take the ferry (and with a kid DEFINATELY book a cabin) you can walk around, watch DVDs (bring your portable player), take leisurely meals and snacks, and play with the other kids. No car seats, no seatbelts, no nervously watching for buffalo on the road along the worlds darkest section of highway at night. For most kids the strumming of the engine noise in the cabins is like white-noise, my boy drops off in moments when he's tired on the boat.

For me it's a no-brainer. Save the AlCan roadtrip for when the kids are old enough to REALLY bug you with the "are we there yet?" and having to always pick the hotel with the pool, no matter how ratty it is.

Oh, I would be driving alone. The wife and munchkin would be flying up. However, the more I hear, the more I may just take the ferry. I can chill and read a few books and enjoy some scenery. Driving from San Jose to Bellingham will be a pain enough. After driving a 26-foot U-Haul with my CR-V towing behind it all the way from central PA, I'm not too fond of long trips anymore.