Moving to Anchorage from Seattle (Palmer, King Salmon: buying a home, buying, live)

[yambest]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience with me. I feel encouraged to do what I thought might be unsafe. That is, I have decided to drive there instead. You were right about the high cost of taking a ferry or flying there with my car shipped.

So, my sister and I are planning to take about 4 to 5 days to finish the traveling. So, start the driving in the early morning and end the day in the hotel earlier in the evening. We are hoping to stop by a few sites on the way. Do you have any suggestions? What are the cities that we can best find hotels? You would You mentioned about the gas station issue. Do you remember the critical spots where you MUST get your tank filled before taking off?

Any information would help! Thank you

[pw72]

There are not huge stretches between gas stations. Just fill up when you can. Try to fill you gas tank just before and after Canada, as the prices are even much worse than the U.S. right now.

Plenty of motels along the route, but might be a good idea to reserve ahead.

Sights? Suprisingly, not that many! Not to say there isn't some great scenery along the way, but my experience nothing to really stop for.

The Canadian dollar is weak compared to the US dollar right now, so expect high prices in Canada.

[atl_mountain_man]

Originally Posted by Tressa

They call this a "passing through visa" (I guess that's not the exact translation). Well, to save the application trouble, I guess I will take the ferry. Just simply hope that there's still space.

I would think that getting a short term travel visa would be so much easier than trying to deal with the ferry and hoping for space.

Traveling from Washington to Anchorage would take you about 4 days and should be fairly safe, we traveled in April this year and didn't see anything questionable. The scenery is the best and over all cost will be greatly cheaper than the ferry.

What school up here are you planning to teach at?[/quote]

it's good to see a few people who have the cojones to drive up there
i can't wait....very excited!!!

[Will d s]

Originally Posted by pw72

The Canadian dollar is weak compared to the US dollar right now, so expect high prices in Canada.

Actually the Canadian dollar is at an all time high with almost a 1 to 1 exchange rate while early in the year it took about 1.18 Canadian for each U.S. dollar.

[warptman]

I drove down to the lesser states last month and back up. I also drove down and back last spring of 06. Heres a few links to my photo albums of the trip last spring and last month. Enjoy your trip and watch out for critters in the evening.

Bethel Alaska Photo Gallery - Joe Joe's 2007 Alcan trip

Bethel Alaska Photo Gallery - Joe Joe's Return Trip Alcan 2007

Bethel Alaska Photo Gallery - Joe Joe's Alcan Trip 2006

Remember to buy a bigger memory card for your digital camera or buy a lot of film if you take pictures the old fashion way.

[yambest]

Hi, all,

I am back again. My sister and I are planning the specifics for the our first road trip

Anyway, we are wondering whether 500 miles or more per day will be too much, particularly for Alaska hight way where there seems to be more unexpected, complicated road situation. We don't want to get overly stressed through the journey. So, we generally plan to be on the road 9am-8pm, and take about 1 hour of break in the middle. Please advise.

In addition, do you have any suggestion for the lodging place, particularly around the Liard Rive Hot Springs Park? Really, any of your sharing would be of most precious help to us!! Thank you!!

[mal_flisk]

Sounds pretty good in the way of planning. Just pace yourselves. Take 2 hour turns at driving and you can avoid the highway hypnosis syndrome. When you relieve each other, stretch and walk around for 10 minutes to wake up, and prep your driving seat(mirrors, seat, radio).

[warptman]

Also, you can never bring too many cd's or never too many songs on your Ipod. The radio stations are few and far apart. Mal_flisk is right, pace yourself, don't drive til you get tired, very dangerous. Enjoy your trip!

[RAMFEB31]

Originally Posted by Arcticthaw

I am not sure how much a CRV can tow, but if you can fit everything in a trailer and tow, then maybe take the ferry up. Less miles and wear and tear on the car. Keep in mind books are quite heavy for the space they take up and something to avoid is your loaded trailer weighing more than the tow vehicle. Been there, done that in the winter, NOT FUN!. Furniture is expensive here so bring your good stuff if you can.
Anchorage has all the clothes you will need, and locals will help guide your purchases.

According to the dealer, the CRV is not a vehicle for towing but the lightest of all trailer. My 05' was the 1st yr where they've added a bigger engine and went to a 5 speed automatic w/a button to drop and lock the gear in 3rd specifically for towing. To get the most optimum carrying capacity on your CRV, the heavy stuff like books probaby s/b in the back seat floor area. If this is your 1st time towing, go slower than usual, shift down on hills both down and up to cut down heavy brake usage down and overheating up. Depending on the amt. of 'stuff'', U may wish to rent a small one way U-Haul and tow your car or put your car on a trailer. (Note: Honda CRV is one of the few 2 wheel drive automatic that can be towed all wheels down. But certain rules must be followed to prevent transmission damage) But I think 4 on the floor is out since you would need to install a tow plate. GL on your trip up.

[RAMFEB31]

Since you are lving from Seattle, U may wish to use the Sumas entry to Canada which the C #1 dips down at Abbotsford. Also, the entry is less busy. And, if U decide to drive, head for the Alaskan Highway and avoid the "shortcut" of C #37. And, if U have time to spare pick up a copy of The Milepost. We RVer swears by it.