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! It's okay, you can start planning your Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Parks Highway (Route 3) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. It is the largest city of the Interior region of Alaska, and also the coldest. Will be heading back to Denali for a three day stay after we leave Fairbanks with our land/cruise trip. But there's still more daylight than many places in the U.S. see during this same time of year, or even during their summer. Rotorhead 30A Productions/Shutterstock.com. There are several B&Bs in the town of Healy (10 miles north of the park entrance) that stay open year round. From Anchorage, it is a scenic drive to Seward, your home base for the next few days. The centers focus is natural-history education and recreation, specifically in the vast Chugach State Park. Continue on into the town of Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier. Feels like 5.95 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1005 hPa. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Find flights to Seattle from $138. The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. These cookies do not store any personal information. Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc.. Cantwell (Alaska) Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Any bus tours that might be open this early in the season on a Saturday afternoon? Option:Take afishing charterinstead, relax in Seward, enjoy a nearby hike. Talkeetna is well worth the 30 mile detour round trip from the Parks Highway for all these delights. Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. Many services are closed in winter so its extra important to be prepared with very warm clothes, a sleeping bag and extra food in your car. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Is the Drive from Anchorage to Seward Dangerous? The three largest towns are Charlotte Amalie (10,354), Christiansted (2,433) and Frederiksted (859). During the first half of the month, it can still feel like Alaska summer, with temps in the high 50s and 60 (maybe even 70), and about 14 hours of light every day (sunrise at 7 a.m., sunset at 9 p.m.). Seward Ocean Excursions offers small-group custom charters year-round. Alaska's state capitol of Juneau is the only state capitol in the United States that you cannot drive to. The program proved to be an enormous success due to the valleys rich soil, the midnight-sun growing season and the heartiness and determination of the farmers. Another trusty source of information is theAlaska Milepost, I highly recommend purchasing one before your Alaska road trip! Fairbanks - Glennallen / Copper Center ( Driving Distance: 250 miles| Overnight: Glennallen ) Travel on the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction - a telegraph station established in 1904. Labor Day is not the end of the tourist crowds in Alaska. Glennallen saw an influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike Gold Fields in 1898. Note that the recommending starting point for doing this as a backpacking trip is at the other end but this is a good option for a day hike. Posted August 28, 2007. You could see goats and sheep on the cliffside along the road and sometimes whales in the inlet. There's a pretty good chance you'll see the Northern lights here (during the aurora borealis peak time between September and April) because it's far from the city and it's super dark. Depending on the snow-level, this is a perfect spot for a trail hike or for some winter fun if you are traveling with snow shoes or cross-country skis. Talkeetna (6 answers) The arts community is active in the winter with concerts, plays and more at the towns Don Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Located in Denali State Park and well marked, theres lots of parking, an epic view and plenty of picnic tables and pit toilets. Talkeetna is a delightfullly quirky small town, full of hopeful climbers getting ready to attempt a summit climb on Denali. Highlights plus less visited destinations. 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. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. A little further gets you to Denali National Park, the home of North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. Other options:If Seward isnt appealing to you, you can opt to take the Sterling Highway to Kenai & Soldotna for fishing, or go all the way down toHomer(about 5 hours from Anchorage). Denali National Park is an obvious highlight on your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and often is the reason people take this road trip in the first place! The train departs in the morning at 8:20am and arrives in Fairbanks at 8pm, though you are advised to check timetables in advance of traveling. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Fairbanks to Anchorage Road Trip Link two of Alaska's largest cities together in this 360-mile road trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage, with stops in Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Eklutna along the way. Logout Where to stay camping, hotels and lodges, Best hikes on the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Best stops on the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks, https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. Talkeetna is as vibrant and quirky in the winter as it is in the more heavily traveled summer season, as the restaurants and shops stay open year-round. Northwest Travel & Life Magazine represents trust and inspires a passion for Experiencing All Things Northwest., 2022 - Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters, Bellingham, Washington: Salish Sea Playground, A Craft Brew mecca: Kitsap Peninsula, Washington, Catch the Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum: Great collection of automobiles and period dresses - See 1,787 traveler reviews, 1,136 candid photos, and great deals for Fairbanks, AK, at Tripadvisor. Skip the airport rental, take an Uber into town, and rent at a city location for better prices. During the winter months, the centers building is open Friday through Sunday during the day, and the trails are always open. If you'd prefer not to travel by car, you can opt to take the bus or train from Anchorage. Fairbanks is a city poised on the edge of the Arctic circle, known for breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and the legendary Aurora Borealis. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. Farther up the highway, at the braided mouth of the Knik River, you will pass a vast open area called the Palmer Hay Flats. This was the sky to the south and this was looking northwest. The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. restaurants around Healy: Highlights plus less visited destinations. Want a relaxing way to spend your last bit of time in Alaska? 5, 2023. I have a thing for little-visited parts of the world, breakaway regions, and remote places. You still have that increased chance of rain and clouds, so your shipboard views of the coastline could be shrouded in fog. The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. While brochures wax poetic about how early fall can be the perfect time to visit Alaska, the days are shorter, and it can also be rainy and cooler. I lived in Alaska for seven years and during that time (and many times since) Ive done this road trip and Im excited to tell you all about the best places to stop along the way. Taking a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is a fun adventure that takes you through many different climates and landscapes across Alaska. Must undergo a criminal history background check. to each other and sharing tips and advice. The sun doesnt rise until about 8 a.m. and sets at 7:30pm. ANCHORAGE TO TALKEETNA If youre relying on a strong signal for steaming music or podcasts, make sure to download them before your road trip so you dont get frustrated losing the signal frequently. Starting at: $3569 / per person. Be sure to have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions. The Eagle River Nature Center is a beautiful area just outside of Anchorage with beautiful landscapes, wildlife and hiking trails. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks. The roads seemed decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills. Drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks 6h 41m $65 - $95 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Anchorage (ANC) to Fairbanks (FAI) flights The flight time between Anchorage (ANC) and Fairbanks (FAI) is around 1h 2m and covers a distance of around 262 miles. Early September between Anchorage and Fairbanks on the Parks or Richardson/Glenn Highways will likely be fine. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Check availability on Alaska Airlines (typically 6-7 flights daily). Fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, rent a vehicle thats well-equipped for winter driving conditions, complete the one-way drive between the two cities, return the vehicle at the other end. Exhibits and videos cover the Iditarods past and present. These glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see wildlife. The train and bus take longer and run less frequently, but offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery. Continue on AK-3 and take the Airport Way exit to arrive in Fairbanks. 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. On the left of the route is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving. Driving time in good conditions will take about seven hours, not including stops. The bustle of the summer season has ended. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. McKinley) views. What to do in Talkeetna, AK Sign up for our email newsletter to receive a current digital issue of the magazine, exclusive subscriber content, and access to special contests, discounts, and giveaways! You are very likely to see wildlife, especially moose, along the highway. Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle via the Steese, Elliot and Dalton Highways features about 50 miles of pavement between Fairbanks and Coldfoot and more than 120 miles of gravel from Coldfoot to the Arctic Circle. Note:Car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from a different location. We respect your privacy. most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Earthsong Lodge offers backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in the park (earthsonglodge.com). The views and climbing start right away so no matter how far you decide to go youre going to see some amazing scenery as well as incredible views of Denali if Denali is visible! Hi Cherise, Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Heading right will take you onto the Sterling Highway toward Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Homer. Denali National Park is a popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it. Your email address will not be published. Check the Alaska DOTs511for road condition information. Through this blog Ill show you how you can visit these destinations, tricks for budget travel, road trip itineraries, and more. This particular drive is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance of setting off. From glaciers to the tallest mountain in North America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and everything in between. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Every twenty years or so, a freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open. If you go straight to Seward with no stops, plan on a roughly two hour drive(about 125 miles). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its an 115 mile, about 2-2.5 hour drive north from Anchorage. Otherwise here are a few options: BudgetBent Prop Inn Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, MidrangeThe Lakefront Anchorage|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeThe Hotel Captain Cook|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. The Adventures of Nicole is a participant in the Local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear. Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. You may also choose by fall color intensity. Planning to spend more time in Anchorage? Can you Drive to Gates of the Arctic National Park? From mid-May to mid-September, trains depart north and south every day from Anchorage. 2-5 day small ship explorations. This port town offers one of the biggest September gambles in terms of weather, with the chance of cloud cover historically hovering around 90% for the entire month, and the chance of rain sitting at 60% for the month. For one thing, since this is more of a business hub than a tourist spot, hotels stay open year round, though they can offer better rates in September than you would find during the peak summer months. But by the end of the month, temperatures are about 10 degrees lower overall , and daylight starts slipping away. 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. So, if you want to experience this area, you just have to come in the early part of the month. Wildlife viewing is not an emergency. 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Or opt to bunk with other guests you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan journey! Bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills largest...
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