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Old 12-26-2009, 11:53 PM
 
Location: In my skin
9,230 posts, read 16,543,680 times
Reputation: 9174

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I have a friend who just moved up to Fairbanks she is thinking of driving down to Texas. We're talking about making it a road trip where I will fly up there and drive back with her.

The goal is to drive down into Washington and proceed through California, over to Vegas, Flagstaff, New Mexico and onward to Texas.

What is the easiest/safest route without having to go through Canada?
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Old 12-27-2009, 12:03 AM
 
26,639 posts, read 36,711,783 times
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There is no way to drive down from FBs without going through Canada.

What time of year are you thinking of making the trip?

The only way to avoid Canada would be to drive to Whittier and take the ferry to Bellingham, WA from there, I'm not sure if that ferry runs year round or just during the summer. You could drive to Haines and take the ferry but I believe that involves a crossover into Canada.

With what it can cost to put a vehicle on the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) you might be better off catching a train/plane to Whittier, taking the ferry down to WA as walk ons, and renting a car when you get there.

Last edited by Metlakatla; 12-27-2009 at 12:14 AM..
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Old 12-27-2009, 12:17 AM
 
Location: Bethel, Alaska
21,368 posts, read 38,123,667 times
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Would be more cost effective if you drove all the way down. No real way to avoid Canada if you drive. Get a passport and drive! If either of you have had a DUI in the past, they won't allow you into Canada unless you pay a big amount of money. Once you do get your passport, you have an excuse to travel the world!

from:Fairbanks, ak to:HWY-16 to:I-5 S to:I-15 N to:Flagstaff, az to:33.60547,-101.854248 toallas, tx - Google Maps
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Old 12-27-2009, 01:40 AM
 
Location: Anchorage
1,923 posts, read 4,715,110 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Metlakatla View Post
There is no way to drive down from FBs without going through Canada.

What time of year are you thinking of making the trip?

The only way to avoid Canada would be to drive to Whittier and take the ferry to Bellingham, WA from there, I'm not sure if that ferry runs year round or just during the summer. You could drive to Haines and take the ferry but I believe that involves a crossover into Canada.

With what it can cost to put a vehicle on the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) you might be better off catching a train/plane to Whittier, taking the ferry down to WA as walk ons, and renting a car when you get there.


I agree. There are 3 options. DRIVE, FLY, FERRY

I would just drive. What time of year would you be making this trip.
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Old 12-27-2009, 09:39 AM
 
Location: In my skin
9,230 posts, read 16,543,680 times
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We'd be going in March. She is delivering the vehicle to a family member, so we'd have to take it on the ferry.
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Old 12-27-2009, 09:42 AM
 
Location: Bethel, Alaska
21,368 posts, read 38,123,667 times
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Why do you have to take the ferry? By all means drive! I've done the Alcan 15 times, I'm heading down again in February for a few weeks. Four days tops you'll be in Washington state. In 06 I made it down in three days by myself.
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Old 12-27-2009, 09:56 AM
 
Location: Everett, WA
271 posts, read 657,397 times
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Check out the website for the Alaska Marine Highway System. It gives all the schedules for all the ferries. Taking a ferry to Bellingham is the only way you can get back to the states without driving through Canada.

I'm curious to know why you want to avoid Canada though. It's none of my business but Canada is a beautiful country with friendly people and well maintained roadways
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Old 12-27-2009, 11:08 AM
 
Location: Lyon, France, Whidbey Island WA
20,834 posts, read 17,098,118 times
Reputation: 11535
Ship the car and take your friend to Tahiti.
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Old 12-27-2009, 11:49 AM
 
26,639 posts, read 36,711,783 times
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Canada doesn't seem to be an option for the OP and we should leave it at that.

I think that the last week in March is the earliest you're going to be able to leave from Whittier. If you do decide on going this way, you should make reservations as soon as your plans have solidified. Here's the link for the Alaska Marine Highway:

Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) :: Schedules :: Alaska DOT&PF (http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/schedules.shtml - broken link)

Last edited by Rance; 12-28-2009 at 02:21 PM..
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Old 12-27-2009, 12:17 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
322 posts, read 902,926 times
Reputation: 177
We drove from Fairbanks to Texas this summer. It took us a week. We did not go through California (though I realize part of your ambition might be sight seeing. We had five cats in the car with us, so our goal was to reach our destination as soon as possible). We drove the entire Alcan and re-entered the US in Montana. I don't think you can make the drive without going through Canada. But Canada is beautiful. I would also definitely make the trip in the summer.
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