I’m in the process of wrapping up my blog and posting more pictures of our trip to Alaska. In the meantime, here are some tips that should be helpful in the event you decide on taking the “road that never ends” up and back from Alaska.
1. Even though you are in a hurry to get there (or back), try limiting your days to no more than 350 – 400 miles of driving a day. You won’t regret it!
2. Expect a lot of construction along the AlCan Highway. Expect to stop and wait for a pilot car on a number of occasions.
3. If the signs indicate rough road or gravel, believe them! Slow down and take it easy; real easy! The worst stretch of road that I have ever been on in my entire life was between the Donjack River Bridge and Beaver Creek on the way to Tok, AK. Pot holes that sink your tires halfway down. It’s even worse if you’re double-tracking like I was. My 6-Wide Sport LG extends about 10” further out than my truck on each side. SLOW DOWN! Rough sections of the roads are identified by pink/red flags (triangles) on the side of the road.
4. Expect to pay $5 or $6 (Canadian) for bags of ice along the AlCan and Cassiar Highways.
5. Don’t expect to get good wifi coverage in any campground. Stop at McDonald’s, Wendy’s, A&W, or Tim Horton’s for wifi service.
6. Even if you pay extra for cellular coverage in Canada, just remember that reception is few and far between in northern BC and the Yukon. You could be out of range for days. If you don’t buy Canadian coverage, put your phone in the Airplane Mode or you will get a tremendous bill due to roaming throughout your trip.
7. When possible, camp in Provincial Parks. Campgrounds aren’t always how they appear online. Most Provincial Campgrounds are on a first-come first-serve basis; although, some take reservations beforehand.
8. If possible, take different routes up and back. We took the AlCan (Highway 97 turns into Hwy 1 in AK) up and the Cassiar (Highway 37) back. It makes for a nice change of scenery. Before dropping down on the Cassiar, drive into Watson Lake to fill up.
9. Expect fuel and food to be more expensive in the Yukon.
10. Take your time to meet and enjoy the company of new friends. Your LG, T@B, or T@G will draw them like moths to a candle. All of us gave “tours” of our LG’s on a daily basis. There is no dealership in Alaska at this time, so they draw quite a bit of attention; especially among traveling foreigners. We met people from China, Germany, Belgium, France, and New Zealand.