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Old 08-04-2009, 02:47 AM
 
Location: High Point, NC
11 posts, read 53,631 times
Reputation: 13

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Hello, all!

I was wondering if it would be possible to drive a typical sedan up the Alaska Highway or if it would be wiser to get a four-wheel drive vehicle? I ask because I'm looking to travel the Alaska Highway next summer and will probably be flying to Seattle to rent a car and driving up to either Fairbanks or Anchorage (And stopping at numerous places along the way, including Skagway or Haines and ferrying to Juneau) via the West Access Route and then the Alaska Highway.

A sedan would be the cheapest option, most likely, but would a four-wheel drive vehicle be more durable and safer for the trip or are the road conditions usually good enough to allow a sedan to safely make the trip?

The reason I am renting a car out of Seattle is because the drive to Dawson Creek from North Carolina will take 5-6 days round-trip, and I don't have enough time to do that and the Alaska Highway. So I will have to fly out closer in to drive the highway.

It sounds like it is very difficult to rent a car in Canada and drop it off in Alaska due to customs stipulations and such. Otherwise, flying to Edmonton, Alberta and driving to Dawson Creek would be ideal.
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Old 08-04-2009, 06:59 AM
 
3,774 posts, read 11,226,380 times
Reputation: 1862
The short answer is that a third of the people driving the Alcan drive sedans (or coupes, even).
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Old 08-04-2009, 11:03 AM
 
Location: North Pole Alaska
886 posts, read 5,714,543 times
Reputation: 844
You will be fine in a sedan. Just make sure you have insurance the rocks will tear up the front of the car.
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Old 08-04-2009, 11:16 AM
 
Location: Bethel, Alaska
21,368 posts, read 38,119,402 times
Reputation: 13901
Yes, sedans work well on the road. Just slow down like in any vehicle in the construction areas.

First pass on the Oregon sedan, we played leap frog all the way to Alaska!

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Old 08-05-2009, 02:38 AM
 
Location: High Point, NC
11 posts, read 53,631 times
Reputation: 13
Thanks for your input, guys! That's nice to know!
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Old 08-05-2009, 09:46 AM
 
Location: Dangling from a mooses antlers
7,308 posts, read 14,686,730 times
Reputation: 6238
I just came up the Cassiar route and then on to the Alaska Highway the rest of the way. Saw every single type of car imaginable on both highways. Only saw 1 broken down and I did pull one guy out of the ditch alongside the road outside of Teslin.
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Old 08-05-2009, 10:10 AM
 
Location: Bethel, Alaska
21,368 posts, read 38,119,402 times
Reputation: 13901
Quote:
Originally Posted by stiffnecked View Post
I just came up the Cassiar route and then on to the Alaska Highway the rest of the way. Saw every single type of car imaginable on both highways. Only saw 1 broken down and I did pull one guy out of the ditch alongside the road outside of Teslin.
You were down states? I'm jealous. I want to drive it again before the summer is up.
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Old 08-05-2009, 03:21 PM
 
Location: Dangling from a mooses antlers
7,308 posts, read 14,686,730 times
Reputation: 6238
Quote:
Originally Posted by warptman View Post
You were down states? I'm jealous. I want to drive it again before the summer is up.
Very long story, very quick trip. 4400 miles in 7 days. I could have done it a little quicker if I didn't have to go through Seattle. From Dease Lake to Beaver Creek it was very smokey due to all the forest fires. Just north of Jade City the smoke got so bad visibility was down to 1/4 mile at times.

Otherwise it was a good ride. I noticed a lot more motor homes and camp trailers on the road this year compared to last year.
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Old 12-18-2012, 07:59 PM
 
2 posts, read 10,634 times
Reputation: 11
Default driving up in February

I would love to hear opinions concerning driving a small honda from Seattle to Fairbanks towards the end of February. Thank you
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Old 12-18-2012, 08:56 PM
 
Location: Bethel, Alaska
21,368 posts, read 38,119,402 times
Reputation: 13901
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smgt View Post
I would love to hear opinions concerning driving a small honda from Seattle to Fairbanks towards the end of February. Thank you
Do it!
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