Its Official! North to Alaska from Georgia!

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by 1984

Its a 32 minute drive from the Girdwood Tesoro area to Huffman. lets say you live further into Girdwood and work further into Anchorage, that would probably be 45 minutes away. If your only working a 40 hour week its very doable and worth it I think. It is expensive though.

Have you ever driven that road in winter? I wouldn't wish that commute on my worst enemy.

People often look at maps of Alaska and think that Girdwood would be an easy commute, but maps don't tell the whole story.

[1984]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Have you ever driven that road in winter? I wouldn't wish that commute on my worst enemy.

People often look at maps of Alaska and think that Girdwood would be an easy commute, but maps don't tell the whole story.

Yes I have. As long as you have 4WD or AWD with studded snow tires Its doable. I know someone that does it in a FWD car. Most people I know prefer to drive it in the winter because theres much less traffic and tourist drivers than summertime.

[Metlakatla]

I think it's doable for ski trips and whatever, but I've never known anyone who'd recommend that commute on a daily basis. I was stuck in front of an avalanche last time I was out that way. Idk, Girdwood is beautiful, but someone would have to want to live out there awfully bad to do that commute twice a day. Forgot about the RV traffic in summer. Another reason not to drive it.

[GAtoAK]

Originally Posted by Dakster

Congrats... We moved up from Florida a couple of years ago and like it. We do not, however, like long mandatory drives. Like going to work. Can you do it yes... But we didn't move up here to have a long commute to/from work or school.

Glad HaoleJohn and his family is OK. It is pretty darn slick out there.

From someone who moved up from Florida with very limited winter driving experience I have learned the following. Snow tires are mandatory. Studs or studless seem to be personal preference. I like studs as I like how they grab in the ice and lately all that I seem to have issues with is ice at the just below freezing point. 4WD/AWD helps you get going, doesn't help you stop. Does help if you start to drift... The main key is SPEED. GO slow, especially around corners...

I've done the drive at least 6 times and a couple in the winter... It's very doable. In fact, I did it last winter in a Uhaul truck, which is ONLY RWD and the tires were not severe snow rated... Sounds like you are pressed for time, so flying and either renting or buying when you get here isn't a bad idea.

Thanks. I have actually been reading your posts that date back several years. Looks like you were once in the same boat im in. It took a few years before your dream became a reality. Hope my family loves it as much as you do. Since your from Florida, hoipe your not a Gator fan. Roll Tide! May the best team win Saturday. Its good to see Jim McElwain succeed in such a short time.

[ericathynes]

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