Alaska roadtrip in 2010?

Question

Me and my friends are planning to take a trip to Alaska in 2010 from Pennsylvania, right outside of Pittsburgh. On our way to Alaska, are there ways to make money and how? Also, we hunt and is it possible to take shotguns with us for duck hunting? How long will the trip take, and can we do hiking and fishing along the way too? What are some good places to visit on the way up? I am thinking of taking a GMC 1500, is this a good choice?

Please don't give stupid answers. Answer only if you know what your talking about.

Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

I drove to Alaska from Maryland in October 2006. I had a fun time, and I took my time doing it (it took about 17 days), although I spent a couple nights in two locations (Minneapolis and Edmonton) and also detoured through Albany (NY) to visit a friend up there. I suppose you could make the trip in 5 or 6 days if you stopped as little as possible, but I can't imagine you'd have a good time doing that - the trip from Pittsburgh to Anchorage is roughly 4100 miles.

I assume you're talking about a long trip to and in Alaska (an entire summer?) if you're talking about hiking places along the way. Sorry I can't help you with places to hike ... I'm sure there's a good source online for info on that although I'm not sure where to look. When I went up, I saw various touristy stuff on the way, like the Rock & Roll HoF in Cleveland, the College Football HoF and the Notre Dame campus in South Bend, IN, the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, and other various touristy things along the way. The cheese in Wisconsin is yummmmmmy. Since I went in October I got to see two hockey games along the way (Minnesota Wild vs the Caps and Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver).

You'll definitely need passports in 2010. You'll also need to check on Canadian regulations regarding firearms. This page: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html has information about firearms. This page from the state department is also useful: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html

The AlCan is definitely tricky at times (especially in the Yukon) but when I drove through there was a lot of construction, and some of it was very new. Gas in the smaller towns along the route is very expensive (to be expected), so fill up at the larger towns when you are able. Get your vehicle thoroughly checked out before you go. You are many miles from civilization much of the time on the trip. You should have a survival kit in your car, plenty of food, a warm blanket/sleeping bag, etc. in case you break down and are stranded for a period of time. I don't know how much money is a consideration for you, but the things I'd consider with the vehicle is (1) are you going to be comfortable in it for a loooong trip, (2) how's the gas mileage, and (3) can it carry everything you need it to? It helps to have a space in the vehicle to store snacks that you can get to as you're driving so you don't have to stop to grab 'em.

One good source of information for Alaska and Canada is the Milepost - http://www.milepost.com/ - it's a guidebook, highly detailed, on the routes northwest (including the AlCan). If you decide you don't want to go through Canada, it is possible to "drive" to Alaska just in the US, if you use the Alaska Marine Highway System. It will not be cheap, and take 3-7 days, depending on where you're going. Info is here: You can find out more about that here: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/

It's definitely a good idea to make sure someone who is not part of your trip knows your itinerary, and to check in with them (ideally every day) to let 'em know where you are. If something happens to you then someone should know where you last were and where you were headed. You may consider joining AAA if you're not a member (even for just this trip it could be worth it); you can get maps and other useful stuff from them, and in Canada you'll get the benefits from the CAA if you need them.

I don't know what time of the year you'll be going but do keep an eye on the weather (good advice for any road trip). When I went in October, I managed to mostly have good weather (a small bit of snow in a couple spots) but I barely missed a huge snowstorm in Buffalo and also in Anchorage (I ended up on the Kenai Peninsula). I was lucky - I would not recommend making the trip that late in the year. Keep in mind that up north there can still be snow on the roads in April & May.

Good luck on your trip!

Answer 2

You will need passports to get through Canada on your way up. The only other option is to take a ferry from Washington state, but this is expensive and is about a 4 day ferry ride. Keep in mind that anyone in your party with DUI convictions, or any felony convictions will not be permitted to enter Canada, even just passing through.
The Al-can Hwy is very rough. The make and model of your vehicle is not nearly as important as the shape its in. You should have a mechanic check over your rig so they can give you an opinion of whether or not its safe to try. Also bring gas jugs. There may be times when you literally cant make it from one gas station to the next on a tank. Never, pass up a chance for gas, no matter what!
The trip can take as few as three or four days, driving straight through. I wouldn't recommend this however; people and vehicles alike need rest from time to time. Most people spend about a week on the trek, sometimes more.
I think Canada will let you bring shotguns through if you declare them. I highly doubt they will let you fish or hunt while you're in Canada.
If you arrive in AK in the summer, it should be very easy for you to find temporary work. You may end up sweeping construction sites or tossing fish but you will probably be paid pretty well.
I suggest you plan to visit Valdez and some of the southern-coastal areas of the state. Then drive north on the Parks highway through Denali National Park. (Denali is the real name of the mountain that the rest of the world calls Mt. McKinley, highest peak in North America). The heart of the interior of Alaska is Fairbanks, quite possibly the most beautiful place on earth.
Have fun, but make absolute sure you are prepared for ANYTHING before you pull out of your driveway.

Answer 3

You have a couple of good answers to start, but in three years, who knows what can happen.

Passports, a must have.

Weapons? Could get real tricky. Shotguns or long riffles now are not a problem but might be up the pike.

Keep checking with Custom requirements regarding your guns. You'll also need out of state hunting licenses.

Answer 4

1,make sure its a good vehicles.
2,stop by any canadian offices about weapon transport.
3,internet site can show you best route to take and may show speed limist.
4,passports.
5 phone in to make sure to let your family and friends know where you are going otherwise it will be hard to find you.
find shops and stops.
6,in case of emergency get all phone number of all car repairs shop enroute,same with police and hospitals.
7,check weather periodically.

Answer 5

verify you do the marine highway it really is awsome it really is a ferry so that you'll placed your automobile on it and also you dont favor a cabin as you are able to sleep on the deck.Danali nationwide park is yet another could and take a ferry excursion out to at least a million of the various glaciers