I have just graduated highschool and have alot of money saved up, so I can buy a truck and supplies, but I need to know what kind of truck do you recommend? GMC, Chevy or Ford? Also how long will it take. I am coming from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Any info will help. Thanks.
2006-09-19 10:52:43 · 4 answers · asked by thinkGREEN 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
To correct some goofy info from others:
Skip the navigation unit - you'll be on interstates and the Alaskan Highway the whole way. Really easy to navigate. And once you get here, many units don't cover Alaska.
Skip the motorcycle. They're great up here for a few weekend rides each summer, but at -20F on ice, you really want to be on 4 wheels with heat. In the summer, dust and bugs make it tough to enjoy the long miles between cities.
And it is no problem getting gas on the "Alcan" (Alaskan Highway) - there's a station every 250 miles or so. Skip the jerry cans and full-on off-road vehicles. Homesteaders coming up in the 1940's through 1960's needed them. But they paved the entire route 15 years ago. A Honda Civic would do just fine.
And no, you don't need a plane to see Alaska. We have thousands of miles of roads that go to lots of great places. Yes, some other great places are off the road system, but go to those after you've spent months/years seeing the cheap, easy and great stuff on the roads.
Which brand of truck? Whatever. They all similar reliability and utility. They all have dealerships in Anchorage and Fairbanks. I'd rank a Toyota a lot higher in reliability based on my experience, but to each their own.
Consider that it is a long trip, min = 4,000 miles, typically more like 6,000 miles each way and if you relocate here, Alaskans tend to drive a lot. So look at gas mileage and get the smallest thing that fits your lifestyle.
If you don't need a truck to haul a snowmobile or dead moose every day, a lot of people of here have Subarus for the clearance and 4WD but with better mileage than a truck. Also, you can flip down the seats and sleep in back while running the heat or A/C which is REALLY nice if you are car camping.
We have a Subaru for those reasons, but mostly drive compact cars (Corolla, Prius, etc). Because unless it just dumped a foot of snow (once or twice a winter), good tires on a 2WD do just fine.
How long will it take? I'm a serious road warrior and have been to all the states many times each. If I was trying, I could do it in 5 or 6 days, but it would be brutal. I've done Seattle-Anchorage in 48 hours solo, but being in a compact car in April made it a quick trip (no snow or ice, but no road construction or motorhomes either).
But, hell, take your time! There's a ton of things to see and do on the way, spectacular scenery once you get to the Rockies (ours or the Canadians'). I'd focus on the National Parks along the way if you haven't been, especially Yellowstone and Jasper/Banff.
Once here, the road system is bascially a triangle - Tok-Fairbanks-Anchorage. Denali National Park is the big must-see on that route. Do the whole thing and the best side trips are:
Kenai Peninsula including Seward and Homer
Circle or Eagle if you want to see really small town Alaska that you can drive to.
Prudhoe Bay or Inuvik in Canada if you want to the true Arctic.
Valdez is pretty (but similar to Seward).
Read "Coming Into the Country" by John McPhee. 30 years old, but still the best and most interesting introduction to Alaska's people, geogaphy and politics.
Hope that helps.
-David
2006-09-19 13:21:21 · answer #1 · answered by David in Kenai 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alaska is huge dude. Plan ahead and know where you want to go in Alaska. From Pittsburgh, Pa to Anchorage, Ak is 4,061 miles taking the shortest most practical route. Because most travail in Alaska is by plane, don't expect too many gas stations along the way. You may need to carry extra gas tanks. The season you go is what determines what vehicle you will need. What ever season you go, good suspension on a four wheel drive would be preferred. Make sure you have proper I.D. and enough money to go both there and back and reserves for any possible breakdown. You may not get past Canadian immigration if you have any felony, or misdemeanor charges on your record. One 500mile tow could set you back thousands of dollars. Research, learn, and plan carefully. Good luck
2006-09-19 11:18:06 · answer #2 · answered by wernerslave 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why do you want some over-priced truck thats gonna gulp fuel? Buy a motorcycle and camping equipment if you want to do it right and take a whole month! Get a move on it'll be too cold soon!
2006-09-19 10:58:00 · answer #3 · answered by work_thenplay 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure abotu the truck. But one thing I suggest is getting a car navigation unit. If you have to, borrow someones. The kind that you can just plug into the lighter. This will help you tremendously.
2006-09-19 10:55:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋