Anyone drove the AL-CAN LATELY? 5-30-07 (Anchorage: motel, travel)

[Night of Stars]

I would like to know how long it took to get from Bellingham to Anchorage on the Al-Can, and how much money it cost you at today's high gas prices!

Also, how much did you drive each day to get there that fast? We will have one driver so don't want to drive so long prone to wrecks from tiredness, etc.

Any tips on this matter, and the prices of fuel in American dollars in British Columbia are GREATLY NEEDED!

We want to be safe and bring enough gas money.

Thank you.

[Rance]

You might want to pay a visit to Alaska Travel Guide and Alaska Trip Planner, The MILEPOST: Alaskan travel guide and Alaskan trip planner for Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta and Northwest Territories

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Night of Stars

Any tips on this matter, and the prices of fuel in American dollars in British Columbia are GREATLY NEEDED!

We want to be safe and bring enough gas money.

British Columbia has 87 octane at about $1.30 Canadian dollars per litre.
That equals $1.19 U.S. per litre, or $4.51 American dollars per U.S. gallon.

[Alaskagrl]

Originally Posted by ColdCanadian

British Columbia has 87 octane at about $1.30 Canadian dollars per litre.
That equals $1.19 U.S. per litre, or $4.51 American dollars per U.S. gallon.

WOW!! I know this may be a stupid question and slightly off topic, but does someone have a quick explanation as to why Canadian gas so high in price? I was living in the false assumption that their prices were relatively similar to ours. *duh*

[akroxy]

I drove the alcan 3 times within a years time with just me and my then 10 year old,this was 2 years ago.it takes about 3 full days thats with us only staying in a motel 1 night.when i would get tired i would pull over and take a nap then keep driving.inless your into scenery it is a god i wish we were there already trip.it cost me about 400 in gas and thats in a chevy truck.best thing to do is pack a couple of coolers with food and drinks and try to enjoy the trip because it is never ending....roxy

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Alaskagrl

WOW!! I know this may be a stupid question and slightly off topic, but does someone have a quick explanation as to why Canadian gas so high in price? I was living in the false assumption that their prices were relatively similar to ours. *duh*

Yes I do.

1. Gas in Canada is taxed at a higher rate than anywhere in the U.S.A.

2. About 60% of what we pay at the pump is tax, (at least in Ontario) which is a tax combining sales tax with other types of tax invented for taxing fuel, possibly to help pay for the roads as well as possibly lining the pockets of politicians.

3. Canadian oil (and maybe gasoline) is exported to other countries like the U.S.A.

4. Because of Free Trade agreements, Canadian oil companies are not allowed to sell oil at a higher price to other countries than they would sell to domestic distibutors.

(that's the rumour I heard from an older gentlemen at a refinery I worked at)

5. Because oil companies sell oil and gas at a wholesale or un-taxed price, that's why Canadian oil and Canadian gasoline costs more in Canada than Canadian oil or gasoline sold somewhere like California.

*** Ironically we export more oil to the U.S. than Saudi Arabia does.
Why isn't Canada rich then, that's a great question, and I do not know the answer.



BTW, Gasoline in Ontario was cheaper a few weeks ago, around $1.10/L instead of $1.30/L in B.C., and now gas is $103.4 Cdn./Litre.

That works out to $3.56 U.S. dollars for a U.S. gallon where I live.
Is that price still much higher than in Alaska?

[rotorhead]

Thats not that much more than they're gouging us for here in New Mexico. Unleaded is going for $3.45 around here, though I expect it to drop a bit now that the Memorial day holiday is over. Diesels been running about 20 cents/gallon more than gas all winter, and now its about 22cents/gallon less, go figure.

Ironically, the highest gas prices along the Interstate 40 route through the state are typically at the Giant truck stop thats literally connected to a refinery by a pipeline maybe 200 yards long. I don't know how they justify that, maybe its because its so much "fresher".

As far as the Alcan route goes, where you can really expect to get stuck in the wallet is in the Yukon territory, they're by far the most expensive fuel on the route.

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by ColdCanadian

British Columbia has 87 octane at about $1.30 Canadian dollars per litre.
That equals $1.19 U.S. per litre, or $4.51 American dollars per U.S. gallon.

Hi Cold', what are diesel prices? I am heading up coming Fri and I know I have to tank up twice before making Alaska. @ 8mpg, U guys going to bleed me dry.

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by Night of Stars

I would like to know how long it took to get from Bellingham to Anchorage on the Al-Can, and how much money it cost you at today's high gas prices!

Also, how much did you drive each day to get there that fast? We will have one driver so don't want to drive so long prone to wrecks from tiredness, etc.

Any tips on this matter, and the prices of fuel in American dollars in British Columbia are GREATLY NEEDED!

We want to be safe and bring enough gas money.

Thank you.

Hi Night', what are the fuel prices in your town? In particular, what is the price of diesel and where are the stations along #5 that are the least expensive? I've filled in Bellingham everytime before crossing the border going North or South.

[ecs66]

I believe that, due to the litre conversion formula, a "gallon" of gas in Canada (Imperial) is actually a larger quantity than a US gallon. So.. you pay more, but you get more. (This dredged from memory when I lived in Alaska, and drove the Alcan a few times.) From Google: "... an Imperial gallon is slightly larger than a US gallon."