I've been a tour guide in both Alaska and Washington and I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. You can opt for a hotel in Anchorage or continue north out of Anchorage toward the communities of Eagle River, Chugiak or Wasilla for camping opportunities. Road Trip Conditions. Make sure you check road conditions Most of ours turn yellow and orange. Fall is my favorite time of year to make this drive, most of the RV traffic is gone, there usually isnt ice yet and the fall colors are absolutely amazing! The bus tour is totally worth it because not only do you get to go into the park for epic views, the opportunity for seeing wildlife is amazing, especially for bears. While youre in Talkeetna, you can apply what you learned at the Iditarod Headquarters by booking a two-hour sled dog tour and driving your own dog team with Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey (dallasseavey.com/alaska-sled-dog-tours). On the other, the tundra can glow bright red--and smell fragrant beyond words. Big ship or small ship? Cantwell (Alaska) On the other hand, if you get a nice day, your experience will be crisp and crystal clear. Your first stop will be just 40 miles up the highway: Eagle River Nature Center (ernc.org). This area is similar to Denali in the sense that many hotels and tours shut down by mid-Septemberafter which things are really shut down. DENALI TO FAIRBANKS Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving That's why locals say, "September is a gamble.". Lodging to see Northern Lights in Fairbanks. Daily train and bus service to the park from Anchorage and Fairbanks typically ends in mid-September. Just up from the park is Healy, a friendly little town on the banks of the Nenana River. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. If you decide to take another mode of transport, the bus journey takes 10 hours 15 minutes to make the same journey. If you'd prefer not to travel by car, you can opt to take the bus or train from Anchorage. What are the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks? Totally worth it! This was the sky to the south and this was looking northwest. What we tell our friends is, "Come earlier in the summer, if you can. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. On the left of the route is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving. If this is the case, your best option will likely be to add an additional day onto your trip and return back to Anchorage and fly out from there. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. Its great for independent travelers, and most of its routes continue through September. If you can afford it, I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one of the air taxi companies based in Talkeetna. Glennallen, at mile 115 is the junction with the Glenn Highway to Anchorage. After Denali and Healy, you are on the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, about 110 miles up the Parks Highway. Taking a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is a fun adventure that takes you through many different climates and landscapes across Alaska. Healy Meanwhile, the national park starts offering abbreviated versions of their summer bus toursbasically, the tours only drive as far into the park as you can go without seeing signs of winter along the road (as in, snow). Check the Alaska DOTs511for road condition information. Option:Take afishing charterinstead, relax in Seward, enjoy a nearby hike. Make a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters and check out the museum all about the epic dog sled race that travels 1000 miles across Alaska in March. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. Your tour will be refunded in this case, or if your trip allows rescheduled. most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Our airport is the busiest between 10 pm-2 am. Denali is an Athabaskan word meaning the high one.. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. What about this time of year for the road? Pick up yourrental carand head to your hotel room for a few hours of sleep before heading off on the road. If the mountain is out, youre in for an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of North Americas tallest peak. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. The centers focus is natural-history education and recreation, specifically in the vast Chugach State Park. The Anchorage to Fairbanks Loop Route Map. The scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the peak of Denali Mountain. Seward Ocean Excursions offers small-group custom charters year-round. Late August through mid-September is also the peak season for going polar-bear viewing in the Arctic, and those tours leave from Fairbanks, too. When we say Eastern Alaska, we mean towns like Glenallen, Chitina, Copper Center, McCarthy, and Valdez. Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc.. Its an 115 mile, about 2-2.5 hour drive north from Anchorage. Both are suitable for RVs as well as tents. But not always. First the bad news: Most tours and hotels around here close between the 15th and 20th of the month, and many summer activities draw to a close by the middle of the month. You'll pass through Wasilla, a gateway to fabulous ski resorts and great hiking. You might even decide to tarry in Talkeetna for a few days, so you wont miss anything. At Mile 188 of the drive, you'll come across Igloo City. Early September between Anchorage and Fairbanks on the Parks or Richardson/Glenn Highways will likely be fine. For a list of incorporated places, see List of incorporated places in . Related: Denali National Park Planning Guide. The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. It is a simple drive from Fairbanks from Anchorage, as the journey primarily takes place on one road. This makes an excellent rest stop along the way. To get to Talkeetna, take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage and make sure to follow the signs as you approach the Mat-Su Valley toward the Parks Highway and Wasilla. Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. Construction and RV traffic can cause significant delays in places during the summer and winter driving can make it slow in winter depending on the conditions. Healy (4 answers) There is a visitor center and restroom at the trailhead. Alaska's state capitol of Juneau is the only state capitol in the United States that you cannot drive to. open-ended. The scenery provides plenty of reason to road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, but if you have time to make some stops, there are some great places to stretch your legs, learn about something new, see even more amazing scenery and wildlife and grab a bite to eat. Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions Entrance costs are $15 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17yrs(must be accompanied by a parent), and $13.00 for Seniors 60+ yrs. Many will opt to stop at Healy, Nenana, and more. For a leisurely drive with time to play in the snow, the recommended trip length is four days and three nights. While only 144 miles (232km), you could drive it in just over 2 hours. Search for RV campgrounds. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Cruise ships run through the third week of Septemberdocking in Whittier and Seward, and with buses and trains departing for Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. Fly from Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and more. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. However, if you are driving on to Canada you may need a passport to re-enter the US. A map of the best Alaska road trip itinerary for adventurous travelers. 359 mi Total Distance 7 hrs 7 mins Drive Time 30 stops Cities / Attractions And if you know Anchorage well, please help your fellow Anchorage, Alaska. next trip! About 100 miles north of Anchorage youll see signs for the Talkeetna Spurr Road turn off, take the exit to the right and follow for about 14 miles where youll end up in tiny, walkable Talkeetna. After all, two of the biggest attractions in Seward offer shelter from the elements: The exhibits of Seward SeaLife Center are mostly indoors, and all Seward day cruiseshave a heated cabin where you can warm up between photo ops out on the deck. If youre doing a round trip drive (which is likely because one way car rental in Alaska is extremely expensive), consider mixing it up with different stops going north and south so youre finding something new to explore on both ends of your road trip. Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Parks Highway (Route 3) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months. Also look for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet. Where are the gas stations and other services? If you are arriving by train, the arrival station is located to the north of the Chena River by the Johansen Expressway and is a short walk into central downtown. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Anchorage to Fairbanks All land transportation options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain vistas and Denali (Mt. Two trains . Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. If you have extra time after you arrive in Fairbanks you could continue up to North Pole(no, not the actual one, just the goofy town with the name). Fairbanks, AK, is the place to be during the weekend if you . Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Talkeetna is well worth the 30 mile detour round trip from the Parks Highway for all these delights. and answers related to Fairbanks. you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, Hatcher Pass is a very worthwhile detour, but it does add some time. July 14, 2005. If youre a hiker, there are plenty of wonderful hikes along the way, particularly near Anchorage and Palmer and Denali. This 28,000-acre refuge protects coastal and freshwater wetlands, sloughs, mudflats, lakes, streams and forests, all critical habitat for much of the regions wildlife. Ive not personally done a Denali flightseeing tour yet, but I have yet to hear a bad thing about it from anyone whos done it. If the mountain is out, youre in for an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view North. 188 of the Nenana River nice day, your experience will be refunded in this case, if. 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