Driving to Alaska in Late Feb? (rentals, credit card, how much)

[laugel]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

I would not recommend driving throughout the night if I were you. Wildlife can appear in the roadway that are much bigger than deer. The days are pretty short that time of year as it is and a minor problem at noon could be a much bigger problem at 1am. Stores are on pretty limited hours as it is that time of year, if they are even open. You may also be better off staying in the states until Montana or so, and then popping up in Alberta. I've done both and I swore at the time that driving through Canada all the way to the U.P. Of Michigan took MUCH longer than dropping down and driving through the states, but that could all be in my head.

Now thats worth taking into consideration. I wondered that myself if id be better off staying south of border longer then go up. Ill research this some more. When you say the days are short? I googled seems sunrise is around 8am sunset is around 7pm? Similiar sunlight one of our winter days down here. If thats the case counting twilight maybe a solid 12 hours of driving a day shouldnt set me back to far i suppose. Give us time to relax more no doubt

[riceme]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

I would not recommend driving throughout the night if I were you. Wildlife can appear in the roadway that are much bigger than deer. The days are pretty short that time of year as it is and a minor problem at noon could be a much bigger problem at 1am. Stores are on pretty limited hours as it is that time of year, if they are even open. You may also be better off staying in the states until Montana or so, and then popping up in Alberta. I've done both and I swore at the time that driving through Canada all the way to the U.P. Of Michigan took MUCH longer than dropping down and driving through the states, but that could all be in my head.

OP works swing shift in a refinery... I'm thinking he's driving at night, end of discussion. Maybe he can go Full Fairbanks and get moose lights on his rig before he comes up. Although they might be illegal in Illinois. ?

[6.7traveler]

I would prefer if all tow truck drivers started using the term "extraction service" instead of ditch removal fee. It makes me feel like I am getting less ripped off that way. An extraction service almost sounds pleasant .

[laugel]

Originally Posted by riceme

OP works swing shift in a refinery... I'm thinking he's driving at night, end of discussion. Maybe he can go Full Fairbanks and get moose lights on his rig before he comes up. Although they might be illegal in Illinois. ?

I would prefer to drive at night but wont be one to turn down good advice especially if it saves a moose from being smashed in my truck. Lightbars are not illegal in illinois as long as you dont use them on normal roads. Both my grizzly and rzr have lightbars and the are nice no doubt

[riceme]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

I would prefer if all tow truck drivers started using the term "extraction service" instead of ditch removal fee. It makes me feel like I am getting less ripped off that way. An extraction service almost sounds pleasant .

"Extraction service" sounds like something super high-tech and fancy and not at all like someone rigging and yanking your pickup out of a ditch.

[6.7traveler]

Originally Posted by riceme

OP works swing shift in a refinery... I'm thinking he's driving at night, end of discussion. Maybe he can go Full Fairbanks and get moose lights on his rig before he comes up. Although they might be illegal in Illinois. ?

Well I'm not a night person so I had to give the cautionary warning.... Not that it can't be and isn't done, but it certainly is safer to drive only during the day on the Highway. Plus there's no reason to rush it, driving up is half the fun.

[riceme]

Originally Posted by laugel

I would prefer to drive at night but wont be one to turn down good advice especially if it saves a moose from being smashed in my truck. Lightbars are not illegal in illinois as long as you dont use them on normal roads. Both my grizzly and rzr have lightbars and the are nice no doubt

The first sentence above says a lot.

[riceme]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

Well I'm not a night person so I had to give the cautionary warning.... Not that it can't be and isn't done, but it certainly is safer to drive only during the day on the Highway. Plus there's no reason to rush it, driving up is half the fun.

Yeah, I hear ya. I drove at night, but I had to. And I got lucky.

[Haolejohn]

I'm a night owl. Before my current profession, I loved working swing or graveyard shifts. Loved it. Loved driving at night. Until I moved to Alaska. I'll drive a few hours after dark, but there is no way I'd do a non stop driving trip up the routes to AK.

[laugel]

Well it sounds like ill have to make a few more pit stops, or just cruise along at 30mph and call it good. It will probably a judgement call between road conditions and weather. If the roads are clear obviously id be more incline to do it. But if they are heavily snowcovered not worth it. I have over 3 weeks off work, ill get there when i get there. Just excited to go, im very much a night owl myself. Ive worked nightshift since i was 18 up until i started swingshift here at the refinery couple years ago.