I am thinking about taking a motorcycle trip to Alaska?

Question

I have been told over the years that the roads to Alaska has been very poor and several miles in fact are rock. Can someone verify this or are the roads suitable for motorcycles?
Second question is, would it be better to go futher north into Canada and then head west to maintain better roads,
Third question is, are there gas stations at least every 100 miles.

Answer 1

1) the main route is now a great road, but rough side roads certainly exist. 30 years ago, there was a 1,000 miles of gravel road out of the 2,400 miles from Seattle to Anchorage. Now it is all paved and suitable for, heck, a moped. Last time I came up it was in a Corolla and I made it to Anchorage in 48 hours from Seattle, solo. That said, by late May and all through the summer, there will be stretches of 1 to 10 miles of road construction that will be dirt. But escorted by a pilot car at 15-30 mph.

2) Yes. If you mean stay on the main route (Alcan or Alaskan Highway) instead of the Cassier Highway. The Cassier is a little shorter and a little quicker and has better views of high mountains, BUT has about 300 miles of gravel road still, no 24-hour gas station, longer gaps between services.

3) No. I haven't check for exact lengths, but there's about 250-300 miles between major towns (like with groceries, hotel, services, etc). Most of those have a few gas stations between them, but the longest gap is something like 200 miles. You'll have to check a map to confirm that distance and then double check before jumping off what the operating hours are. It sucks to show up at a gas station at 7 pm when their hours are 9am-5pm. It really sucks on a bike.

Get The Milepost - about $25. The bible of northern highways. It details all the services, towns, sights, and sideroads the whole way. Theirs is the best route planning map for BC, NWT, and AK. You won't bring it with you (size of a small phone book), but you can transfer notes to the pull-out map.

Except in winter, I always see a number of motorcycles making their way up the Alcan and back. Some or serious off-road, enduro-type bikes. But others are highway cruisers. Other than the mosquitos, gorgeous scenery, and the damn moose, think of it as a long, long interstate trip. Really. Bring a bike that easy on your body to ride for hundreds of miles a day, day after day. Ones with small tanks have one or two plastic jerry cans strapped on.

Answer 2

In years past the road from Washington State to Alaska State
was poor. Terrible, even. Today it is simply dusty in summer
but hardtop all the way. Winter and other bad weather can be
hardships. Stay on Trans-Canada Highway until the turn north.
The route is well marked by bears climbing over the vehicles that ran out of gasoline but Canadian Mounties are excellent when bagging leftovers for next of kin notification..

Answer 3

What bike are you planning to ride? The roads into AK (and most inside Alaska itself) are best suited for dual-sport bikes, although it's been done with just about any motorcycle. Lots of unpaved dirt & gravel roads. Bring a gas can, but if you need to fill up every 100 miles I would suggest using a bike with a larger tank as well as you may need every gallon of that gas can.

Answer 4

The advise you heard is likely true but that's the North to compare with. Bring a camera but leave your cell at home.
Directions: Get to Edmonton Alberta, turn left to 43 till British Columbia border turning to 49 that meets 97 north to Yukon Territory. Route 1 AKA Alaska Highway. Cross to Alaska to InterState 2.

So far all asphalt and your in Alaska.

Answer 5

yes the roads to alaska are extremely rough compared to what we are used to. I know people that have made the trip in motor homes and one of them actually had the shelf above the driver to fall down because of the road being so rough and too much speed. if it were me making the trip, i would wait until summer. no matter how warm you dress it still won't be warm enough. even in early spring. There are plenty of fuel stops along the way. if not, motor homes would never make it. as far as the direction of travel, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. try to go as straight there as possible. i hope you decide to take the trip. i bet it will be a hell of an adventure.

Answer 6

Do not do it unless you have a truck riding along side with gas cans full of gas. Roads are rocky hilly and bumpy. I would barely take a rv much less the 1994 ford ranger xlt 4x4 that I took. Three tires blown out, one head light busted, cracked windshield, and gas stations open at odd hours and spaced out. Thank God for extra set of tires with twobyfour peices, and three gas cans. Alcan hwy from Seattle near Vancouver, Canada to Anchorage, AK. Never again and definately not on a motorcycle. Beautiful scenery but trecherous roads.

Answer 7

I have no experience here but it sounds like a great summer adventure! I would try to organize something like the tour de-France teams do... several bikes accompanied by a support truck.

Answer 8

have not you ever heard of the HO'ka whats up motorbike run? Key West, Fl to Homer, Ak.? the merciless component of the continental run is lack of gasoline stations in northern Canada and jap Alaska. you ought to continually pass to Bellingham, Washington and positioned your self and your motorbike on the state ferry that is going to Ketchikan and as a lot as Haines or to Juneau and adjust boats for the "pass gulf" run to Whittier. This receives you lower back on the line to Anchorage and Fairbanks or from Haines as a lot as Tok and both to Fairbanks or Anchorage. in case you settle on to journey it, beware of the "frost heaves". in trouble-free words do it from June to august. and not in any respect camp out with out understanding the thanks to "undergo camp". not in any respect journey quickly the position there are tremendous mammals which will be on the line, because you're the different component of the blood splatter on the line. not in any respect mess with or perhaps get on the point of a moose and principally else "have exciting!".

Answer 9

here may be some hints:

http://www.themilepost.com/road_reporter/motorcycling_north.shtml
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/thadalaska/