KA Hansen Posted June 7, 2019 Report Share Posted June 7, 2019 Wanting to travel with our 5th wheel (43ft) from Boise, ID to Anchorage, AK this summer. From those who have done this any advice or tips? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted June 7, 2019 Report Share Posted June 7, 2019 You can certainly do it. You'll see all types of RVs and all lengths. You won't be driving at internet speeds so plan for the trip to take longer than you might think. You'll encounter some road construction as you do in the lower 48. Around Tok, Alaska there are always frost heaves to watch for & I heard that area is also doing construction so you'll be driving slow for 20-30 miles. The trip is very doable... it's just a long one. Don't zoom through Canada and the Yukon because it's just as beautiful as Alaska. Go up on the Alaskan Highway and return on the Cassier for different views. Taking the Cassier the end of August rewards you with fun watching the bears at Hyder, Alaska and their antics catching salmon. Be sure to stop. All you need for the trip is 'The Milepost' which is excellent for history and maps, Mike and Terry Church's book 'Alaskan Camping' which includes Canada and the Yukon and gives RV parks, campgrounds and boondocking spots. If you have time, get the TourSaver 2/1 coupon book online. One glacier tour will pay for the book and you'll want to do at least one. Don't bog yourself down with reservations. Pull into campgrounds early afternoon and you get a site. The only ones we made for the whole summer were for the July 4 weekend (Alaskans like to camp, too) and for 5 nights in Denali Nat'l Park's Teklanika campground. As it turned out we were a littler early so on a whim we boondocked nearby at a beautiful spot and drove into Denali early morning. We easily secured an additional 5 nights in Denali's front campground, Riley Creek. We saw 'THE' mountain 7 of 10 days. Some never see it. We also saw every one of the big animals founds in the park.... more than once. Now get packing.... you're late! Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Jay Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 Do you want to go to Anchorage or do you want to see Alaska? 😉 We have made the trip periodically since 1969, and annually since 2007, and the road conditions just keep improving. It is an easy trip, just long. You may run into overnight reservation issues in a few places, but you can deal with it by going boondock. There are a few steep grades, so know how your engine brake/turbo and tow/haul work both up and down the grades. None are all that long, but they are not straight either. If you have been to Pendeleton, you know what I am saying. Expect fuel to be a lot more expensive. Should be a fun time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted June 8, 2019 Report Share Posted June 8, 2019 Each year there is a discussion on traveling to Alaska in the Travel forum. Here is this year's discussion: Alaska 2019 You can search in the Travel forum for other years' discussions by search for "Alaska 20xx." Quote LindaH 2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K 2011 Kia Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al F Posted June 16, 2019 Report Share Posted June 16, 2019 2gypsies put it well. The highways are generally good. Better in fact than many of the 2 lane state highways in the lower 48. There are construction zones with 1-15 miles of gravel road in places. There are frost heaves to look out for. Hit one at 55-60mph and you can destroy your suspension. But that is why you should be driving at 60mph. While the highways are good wide roads with center stripes there is lots of ups and down, some with 1/4 to 1/2 mile with 7-8% grade and a couple with a few hundred yards of 10% grade. Lots of slow curves, not sharp, just enough to keep your average daily speed with lunch and scenic stops at 35-40mph. Plan on no more than 200 miles in a day, better yet 150 miles or less and it becomes an enjoyable trip. Try for 350 miles in a day it becomes a gulling drive with possible damage to your vehicle, because you are pushing it to get there. Lot of dry camping and boondocking along the way. BTW, I think it is awfully late in the season to head to Alaska. I would plan on leaving in May, early May at that, and plan on 3-4 months for the trip. If you only have 4-6 weeks, then fly to Anchorage and rent a RV. We probably travel different than you do, dry camping/boondocking for our 4 1/2 month trip, but here is a link to the index page for our blog of our 2016 trip. Our Alaska Trip Index. April 26—September 6, 2016 Quote Al & Sharon 2006 Winnebago Journey 36G 2020 Chevy Colorado Toad San Antonio, TX http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 Hmmm...the OP has not visited here since s/he posted on June 7. Quote LindaH 2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K 2011 Kia Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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