How many days to drive from Maryland to Alaska? (Anchorage: maintenance, lodging)

[cmacf1]

My good friend moved with her hubby and two kids to Eagle River a few weeks ago and they just found out hubby has to come back to MD for a month-long training session in August. We are planning to come up next summer, but she's desperate for my daughters and me to come up this summer when hubby is back east. Can't afford all that plane fare (WOW -- it's expensive to get there!) I like a good adventure so I'm finding out what I can about driving. I'm so looking forward to visiting Alaska again (was there in 1990) that I can barely wait until July 2009!

[Barkingowl]

It would depend on how many stops you want to make along the way.

[karlsch]

Google maps says 73 hours of driving:
from: Catonsville, MD to: eagle river, ak - Google Maps

[cmacf1]

So if we never stopped, it would be 3 days and 1 hour. Gotta think about that a little (especially with two young children!) If it was me by myself or with my husband only, I can absolutely see doing it. With 4 and 5 year olds, maybe not. They are great travelers, but that might be pushing it.

PS Don't know why I didn't think to google map it. Thanks

[warptman]

Megensmom made it up in about 5 days or so from South Carolina to the Fairbanks area. Anything is possible. Just come on up!

[cmacf1]

From looking at the google map, it would take me right through Minneapolis where my best friend lives. I could pick her up, then I'd have a driving buddy. This just might work . The only problem: my hubby would be intensely jealous of us going to Alaska without him (he's saving up his vacation days for next year's Alaska vacation, so this year would be impossible for him.) Also, what fun to do a girls only road trip!

[warptman]

There you go. This is a fun drive, I've done it 13 times now, both from the Alaska side and from the states. If you need any info, just ask. I've done both the east route and west route.

[zedzul]

Hello cmacf1

I made the drive up in 2006 from Maine. If you took out the stops i made it took me about 6 days of driving. about 3 1/2 days to get to northern Montana ans 2 1/2 day through Canada.

Great drive, excellent vistas, lots of wildlife could not ask for more.

If you have time you can stop/drive through the black hills area of South Dakota(Mount Rushmore, custard state park ext) and Yellowstone both are pretty much right on the way up

Good luck, Cant wait till I can Make the trip again

[MissingAll4Seasons]

It took me 3 days to drive from DC to Seattle and 3 days to drive from Seattle to Anchorage. And that was driving 12+ hours a day. That might not be so easy with kids in the car.

If you factor in gas, lodging, meals, and (God forbid) vehicle maintenance/towing it might actually be cheaper to fly.

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by cmacf1

My good friend moved with her hubby and two kids to Eagle River a few weeks ago and they just found out hubby has to come back to MD for a month-long training session in August. We are planning to come up next summer, but she's desperate for my daughters and me to come up this summer when hubby is back east. Can't afford all that plane fare (WOW -- it's expensive to get there!) I like a good adventure so I'm finding out what I can about driving. I'm so looking forward to visiting Alaska again (was there in 1990) that I can barely wait until July 2009!

So THIS is why you vanished from the Oly Pen!! Lynn and I have wondered where you flew off to!