Akvarmit needs help so please help me!

[elgusano]

I say drink lots of coffee and drive straight through, wide open all the way. (But, slow down for the border!)

Seriously, I've always winged it. I drive until I'm tired, then I stop and sleep. I do sightseeing along the way.

[akvarmit]

Thanks all for your input!
We did snag cabin space with our reservation on the ferry. Will be hitting the grocery store beforehand to get cup'o noodles, etc snack wise to save money. Our doggie loves to pee on cement, so barring any other stubborness she may develop, we should be ok there.

I have my Milepost all tabbed and post-it noted with the pages we need. I guess we'll take heed to everyone else's experiences and see how it goes. We get into Haines at 1pm I think - so we'll probably just stay in Haines that day.

It will probably take longer than that for the dog to talk to us again..... She's a little uppity. (Daddy's girl...you know)

Dawn

[JavaPhil]

Personally, I'd take my time, if it was earlier in the season. With winter coming, Stay the night in Haines and hit Tok the next day. From Tok, it's a one day trip. Have a safe and happy trip (in case I don't say it before you leave.

[warptman]

A few winters back I did the Whitehorse-Tok in seven hours on a slippery hard packed road. Haines to Tok like everyone said.

Keep an eye on this site:

Alaska Road Traveler Information Service

It covers all of Alaska and the Yukon.

[warptman]

On that website, click on All Reports.

[rotorhead]

By October the roadhouses and gas stations along that route will all be closed. The only option you will have will be to stay in Tok, which is where you'd probably want to stay anyway. They are definately pet friendly at Youngs motel but you do have to let them know since not all of the rooms are OK for pets. Fast Eddies is right in the parking lot, it'll probably be the only open restaurant in town. Again, not a problem since it's decent food (large portions too) and reasonably priced.

There will be gas available in Haines Junction year round, and probably at that little town right at the second border crossing (I forget the name). After Tok, it's pretty much Glenallen and then down into the MatSu, where there's gas stations everywhere. DO travel with a full tank, and DO take a couple of sleeping bags with just in case, along with the usual water, snacks, etc. If you haven't searched the archives here on the border crossing issues, try using "AlCan, Alaska highway, Canadian border" as keywords for the search...lots of good info there.

BTW, the restaurant choices here in Haines get slimmer and slimmer as the summer winds down. In October we'll still have several places open for lunch and dinner, maybe one or two for breakfast. By Dec. we'll probably be down to two for lunch and dinner, maybe one for breakfast. There was a time last winter when there were NO restaurants open for dinner, the one remaining option closed down for about a week due to a failed vent fan over the grill. Try either the Lighthouse or the Bamboo Room, both have attached bars (open late) and are walking distance from the hotels. The Chilkat Bakery should be open for at least lunch until the end of the month. I'm pretty sure they're the last chance for fresh donuts till you hit Palmer.

[warptman]

You can always call Rotor for dinner, I'm sure he'll fire up the grill for you and have cold beer.

[Rance]

Mentasta has some nice cabins and great food. It's just south of Tok about 40 miles?