Driving from the East to Alaska (Gateway: best time, winter, worth)

[tmozer]

I am toying with the idea of driving from the East to Alaska. Just me and the dog. I have never been to the West coast (you can't count a stop over at LAX), so I would be planning many stops along the way. No time limit.

To start with a plan, my first questions would be when would be the best time of year to arrive in Alaska by car? I would want to avoid any winter or servere weather (if possible) and also bug season.

Suggestions or comments?

[ArcticState]

Originally Posted by tmozer

Iwould be when would be the best time of year to arrive in Alaska by car? I would want to avoid any winter or servere weather (if possible) and also bug season.

September 1 - 5 would be your only option to avoid inclement weather and bugs No in all seriousness you may want to consider September if you really don't like bugs or winter.

[warptman]

Come up in early May.

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[tmozer]

Originally Posted by ArcticState

September 1 - 5 would be your only option to avoid inclement weather and bugs No in all seriousness you may want to consider September if you really don't like bugs or winter.

September could work.... Thanks.

[tmozer]

So should my destination be Achorage (did I spell that correctly?) and then branch out from there?

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by tmozer

I am toying with the idea of driving from the East to Alaska. Just me and the dog. I have never been to the West coast (you can't count a stop over at LAX), so I would be planning many stops along the way. No time limit.

To start with a plan, my first questions would be when would be the best time of year to arrive in Alaska by car? I would want to avoid any winter or servere weather (if possible) and also bug season.

Suggestions or comments?

I remember years ago driving at least twice from Plattsburgh, NY to the "left coast, and then to Alaska. The second time I decided to bypass all the road tolls, and drove North to Canada, and then West on Canada to somewhere past Michigan, and then South to the US and West to Seattle where I stayed with some friends for a few days. But back then the US dollar's value was higher than the Canadian Loony, so it may be worth paying the US road tolls

[kimber512011]

Originally Posted by tmozer

I am toying with the idea of driving from the East to Alaska. Just me and the dog. I have never been to the West coast (you can't count a stop over at LAX), so I would be planning many stops along the way. No time limit.

To start with a plan, my first questions would be when would be the best time of year to arrive in Alaska by car? I would want to avoid any winter or servere weather (if possible) and also bug season.

Suggestions or comments?

Begin your trip the end of May and without a time limit you could plan to arrive the end of june or middle of July. However, it depends on how long you plan to explore Alaska once you arrive because you have to keep in mind that driving out coud be a problem if you stay until the end of Aug if winter decides to arrive early.

[kimber512011]

Originally Posted by kimber512011

Begin your trip the end of May and without a time limit you could plan to arrive the end of june or middle of July. However, it depends on how long you plan to explore Alaska once you arrive because you have to keep in mind that driving out coud be a problem if you stay until the end of Aug if winter decides to arrive early.

If you arrive in Alaska in September, you wont have much time to really explore Alaska because there is sometimes snow by the 4th week of september. If you plan on driving back to the lower 48, you might run into some rough weather.

[unconscious]

Originally Posted by kimber512011

If you arrive in Alaska in September, you wont have much time to really explore Alaska because there is sometimes snow by the 4th week of september. If you plan on driving back to the lower 48, you might run into some rough weather.

hehe what about the mountain passes? it can snow early up there.i'd call the whole trip off if i were u there's about 2 days between bugs&snow.kinda picky.but i guess there are no bugs in jersey.and i must agree i go canada all the way.less traffic.i did it once 30yrs ago.still waiting for the snow to melt in the pass so i can get the hell out of here.i think these alaskins are holding me hostage.they think they are funny.

[warptman]

The highway is kept open year round, wouldn't worry about snow in September. The Canadian road crews are out right after it snows.