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Old 05-01-2009, 10:47 AM
 
Location: Eagle River, AK
41 posts, read 163,283 times
Reputation: 39

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My family and I are moving to the Anchorage area in 2 weeks and my husband will be working at the Elmendorf base. I found some nice places in Wasilla and was wondering if anyone makes that commute everyday and if so how is it. I am guessing it would be about an hour drive for him. We lived in Minnesota before so we are ok with snow (we will have to get reacclimated ), with that said, how much additional time do you think it will take with the snow?
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Old 05-01-2009, 12:33 PM
 
Location: Wasilla
1,081 posts, read 2,365,059 times
Reputation: 669
The drive is challenging - but not impossible, many do it. The 2 biggest challenges are #1 - lots of traffic into Anchorage on the typical daylight schedule.........and #2 the profound dark and winter driving. Oh wait, let me add #3 - people on the roads with NO winter driving sense!
I drove a lot in SW PA for work, and the roads here can be a bit worse as they're not treated with anti-skid or salt like in the lower 48. Just need to drive responsibly and be prepared.
We like the Wasilla area, and I prefer to live here and go to Anchorage for work - but I work night shift, so I have none of the traffic issues since I'm going opposite traffic.
Hope this helps!
Dawn
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Old 05-01-2009, 12:51 PM
 
Location: Chandler, AZ
105 posts, read 274,934 times
Reputation: 109
I lived in Wasilla a few years ago and used to make the drive into Anchorage all the time. In my opinion, the drive isn't that bad at all. Half an hour on a good day. Traffic going back to Wasilla during the evening can be a headache though.
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Old 05-01-2009, 02:51 PM
 
Location: Palmer, AK
88 posts, read 207,439 times
Reputation: 33
What about car pooling? The reason I ask is that once our lease on base is up,(not til Jan!) we hope to move out to the Wasilla area. Just thought I'd bring up the idea so it could be thought about & perhaps worked out by the time we get out that way! :P
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Old 05-01-2009, 05:30 PM
 
1,858 posts, read 3,104,552 times
Reputation: 4239
There are several van pools that go back and forth between "the valley" and Anchorage everyday. I think there are also people who car pool privately. You shouldn't have any problem finding a ride share. I had a friend who lived out htere for a while. He said that between the price of gas and feeling like he was constantly on the road, he decided to move back to Anchorage. However, there are lots of people who choose to make the commute.
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:27 PM
 
Location: Alaska & Florida
1,629 posts, read 5,383,389 times
Reputation: 837
Quote:
Originally Posted by aprice04 View Post
My family and I are moving to the Anchorage area in 2 weeks and my husband will be working at the Elmendorf base. I found some nice places in Wasilla and was wondering if anyone makes that commute everyday and if so how is it. I am guessing it would be about an hour drive for him. We lived in Minnesota before so we are ok with snow (we will have to get reacclimated ), with that said, how much additional time do you think it will take with the snow?
The drive is one of the easiest commutes I've experienced lol. I don't know what's hard about it. One highway takes you straight there...traffic is minimal compared to almost every major city in the lower 48s. It's also a beautiful drive. An hour is a generous estimate. I usually do it in 40 minutes. It took an hour driving from Wasilla to ANC in December and that was doing the speed limit most of the way.
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Old 05-01-2009, 07:47 PM
 
4,989 posts, read 10,023,483 times
Reputation: 3285
Quote:
Originally Posted by akvarmit View Post
Oh wait, let me add #3 - people on the roads with NO winter driving sense!
Their sense doesn't improve much in the summer either.
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Old 05-03-2009, 12:44 PM
 
3 posts, read 12,909 times
Reputation: 10
Ok - personal opinion here, but the crazy drivers are the ditch divers and most of them tend to be pick up trucks for some reason. Studded tires are a good idea regardless of your vehicle, but there is a new tire out there and my daughter has it on her SUV (sticky tires?). She likes them and says she just has to be more careful on curves/turns - well, don't we all! ALSO, keep in mind that the kids here have very few snow days!! Roads are cleared very quickly and the Glenn Hwy (from Eagle River to bases (Ft. Rich & Elm AFB) are kept clear to keep the armed services working. No weeks off school for snow like on the east coast
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Old 05-04-2009, 01:02 PM
 
Location: Wasilla, Alaska
17,823 posts, read 23,455,656 times
Reputation: 6541
Quote:
Originally Posted by akvarmit View Post
The drive is challenging - but not impossible, many do it. The 2 biggest challenges are #1 - lots of traffic into Anchorage on the typical daylight schedule.........and #2 the profound dark and winter driving. Oh wait, let me add #3 - people on the roads with NO winter driving sense!
I drove a lot in SW PA for work, and the roads here can be a bit worse as they're not treated with anti-skid or salt like in the lower 48. Just need to drive responsibly and be prepared.
We like the Wasilla area, and I prefer to live here and go to Anchorage for work - but I work night shift, so I have none of the traffic issues since I'm going opposite traffic.
Hope this helps!
Dawn
Who needs "driving sense" when we have amazing physic powers? Can't see the road because sheet-ice is sticking to the windshield or because of blinding snow? No problemo! Just put the pedal to the metal and rely on those amazing physic powers. It works everytime!

"Driving by Braille" also works, where you listen for the sound of all those little bumbs to indicate when you are driving on the shoulder to help you stay on the road.

Oh, and I drive back and forth from Wasilla to Anchorage every day.

See you on the road!
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