Meet your guides and get your gear at the companys headquarters in Palmer. Driving to Fairbanks from Anchorage in summer time is. Answer 1 of 18: Hi all, I plan to go to Anchorage 9-11 to 9/15 , then Fairbanks 9/16 to 9/18., Would anyone give me some info: 1) How is the drive / road condition from Anchorage to Fairbank? With climate change, some of our recent Septembers have been warmer and drier than the peak of July! See the Alaska Railroad, or check out other railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours and Princess Rail Tours. Can You Drive To Alaska From The United States? Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. Check out the following posts in the One Week In Alaska series: Start shopping plans over atbattleface, my go-to travel insurance choice, or over atWorld Nomads. If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free. Is there a ferry from Washington to Alaska? For lodging, dining and attractions in Anchorage, visit anchorage.net; for Fairbanks, visit explorefairbanks.com. Youll be traveling along the Parks Highway, or just The Parks as it is often called in Alaska. It sits centrally within Alaska, 379 miles east of Yukon, Canada. Exit Glacier is a part of Kenai Fjords National Park. Planning to spend more time in Anchorage? (See our How to Budget article for more tips on cutting costs). ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. In winter, there is plenty of opportunity for cross country skiing. 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. Make sure your tires are in good condition and carry chains with you just in case. Around three quarters of the Parks Highway is covered with various cell providers at the time of this writing. The trip can be done one way fromSewardtoFairbanksafter a cruise or from Fairbanks to Seward before the cruise. This road trip takes you from Anchorage up through Wasilla and Talkeetna, before spending time in Denali National Park. It has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town. I recommend spending two nights in Denali if possible because you then get the full day to take the bus trip into the park. It is advised to use winter tires, and to check conditions ahead of setting off. Fly from Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and more. The demographics have changed a little by September, too (more families with small kids, since bigger kids have gone back to school). Want to plan the trip back? Your email address will not be published. These glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see wildlife. Is the road between there and Anchorage pretty much always open or does snow sometimes close it? So, if you want to experience the entire park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go. There are also hiking trails in the area for exploring. I recommend booking a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience. 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). 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. If time allows, stop in Wasilla and visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters (iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters) to learn about one of the worlds most exciting races. 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. to double check the weather. Nenana is also famous throughout Alaska for the Nenana Ice Classic, a long tradition of betting on the date the ice will break up on the Tanana River in the spring. Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. by calculating the distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Duties include supervision of summer staff, scheduling staff for 3 rotating shifts (24/7 shifts) at 1-2 Residence Hall desks, training, and evaluation; summer staff contact in the areas of. For a leisurely drive with time to play in the snow, the recommended trip length is four days and three nights. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. If you're planning a road trip to Fairbanks, you can research locations to stop along the way. How long is the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks? Between fall colors, bears gathering at salmon streams, and the possibility of seeing the northern lights, there's plenty to fill your lens. Youll likely arrive at the Anchorage airport at an ungodly time. Get to driving,Denali National Parksits about another 2.5 hours and 145 miles north along the Parks Highway. Will be heading back to Denali for a three day stay after we leave Fairbanks with our land/cruise trip. Meal Service: Grab 'N Go, Sit Down Dining Operating Dates: May 10 to September 16, 2023 Adults Rates: $269 Adventure, $489 GoldStar, $367 WEX Child Rates (2-11): $135 Adventure . On clear nights, the aurora borealis will be the main attraction. Seward is compact and easily walkable. Required fields are marked *. The best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway Interstate 3. Note:Car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from a different location. Your next stop will be the famous Denali Viewpoint at Parks Highway milepost 135. Lodging to see Northern Lights in Fairbanks. 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. September in the Anchorage area has another unique draw: The Alaska State Fair, located just 40 minutes north of the city in Palmer. This one week Anchorage to Fairbanks road trip can be a great addition for people taking an Inside Passage Cruise up to Alaska from Seattle or Vancouver. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This was the sky to the south and this was looking northwest. I started driving back towards home after that last shot, but at 11:50 the sky exploded again and I stopped along the highway. The longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21. Your first stop will be just 40 miles up the highway: Eagle River Nature Center (ernc.org). It also has amazing views of the entire area. At around 60-70 minutes, flying is the quickest option and is sometimes even less expensive than the train. Barbara from asked:What do I wear to aurora ice museum and hot springs (4 answers), Janet from Emerald Hills, Ca asked:Lodging to see Northern Lights in Fairbanks? 7-10 days is the most common. In the summer, this is a wonderful alternative to the Parks Highway, especially if youre making a round trip drive to change things up. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. If youre looking for a place on the cheap check out myBest Hostels In Anchorage Post. 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). next trip! Feels like 5.95 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1005 hPa. Pick up yourrental carand head to your hotel room for a few hours of sleep before heading off on the road. On the left of the route is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving. This is such a massive and impressive mountain, you want to see as many angles as possible. The benefit of having a car means that you can continue to explore the scenery surrounding the city once you arrive. Fairbanks - Glennallen / Copper Center ( Driving Distance: 250 miles| Overnight: Glennallen ) Travel on the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction - a telegraph station established in 1904. 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. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks will give you a feel for Alaskas vast landscapes and at stops along the way you can enjoy hikes, views, picnics and get to know what Alaska is like! A $10 per person pass fee will be charged per visitor at the entrance of the park. One-day rail tours and multi-day packages can be booked through several local operators. Camping along the way? If you go straight to Seward with no stops, plan on a roughly two hour drive(about 125 miles). In addition to incredible landscapes, you can visit the historic independence mine. Other activities in Talkeetna include theDenali Zipline, kayaking & rafting tours, and the riverboat trip up the Devils Canyon. an affiliate advertising program. Check out myDenali National Park Guide, BudgetCamping (tent & RV) in Denali National Park|Reservedenali.com|, MidrangeAurora Denali Lodge (Healy)|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeMcKinley Creekside Cabins|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. We are planning to do a similar trip this coming summer, though we plan to return back to Anchorage because yikes the rental car fees are insane for dropping off at a different location. Whether you catch it under a blanket of snow or lit by the midnight sun, you're sure to find something to enjoy in this welcoming community. At 12 hours (8:15 a.m. 8 p.m.), this is the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad. The Anchorage Museum showcases artful Alaskans and Arctic subjects, with exhibits rotating throughout the year. Click on any question to see answers from the community! Youll zip across snowy meadows and icy lakes and past majestic mountains, stopping to appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife. The centers focus is natural-history education and recreation, specifically in the vast Chugach State Park. If the mountain is clear, its absolutely mandatory to stop at both! Can I drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks year round? Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! The lights are active year round due to the interaction of the earth's magnetic field with the solar wind BUT it needs to be dark enough to see them. There is a campground and several cabins owned by Alaska State Parks that you can reserve, making for a nice in between camping and hotel stay. Homer is a funky, fun little fishing town. Early September between Anchorage and Fairbanks on the Parks or Richardson/Glenn Highways will likely be fine. But, to be fair, those cruises and buses are less crowded than they were in June, July or August. Updated March 2023,One Week in Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage to Fairbanksoriginally written in July 2017. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Several buses depart daily, while there is just one train per day. In winter, you can drive up to Hatcher Pass but the road is closed beyond there so you return back the way you came to rejoin the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla. Must undergo a criminal history background check. Continue on into the town of Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier. Answer 11 of 11: Hello! Car, train, or group tour. Keep sleeping bags in your car just in case. 7-10 days is the most common. That brings concerts, plenty of local goods, and the world-famous, massive vegetables that have grown all summer long under the midnight sun. Make sure your car is equipped with winter tires and you have snow chains available. Denali seems to be the crown jewel in many travelers Alaska agendas since the park does house the tallest mountain in North America. Girdwood is great to visit in the fall. Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years. Nenana is somewhat famous for being the location where President Harding drove the golden spike for the completion of the Alaska Railroad the same year. Hi Cherise, Make sure to watch your speed and keep your eyes on the sides of the road in addition to whats right in front of you so you dont miss any wildlife sightings and also so you dont get into a collision with a moose or other animal. Check availability on Alaska Airlines (typically 6-7 flights daily). You may also choose by fall color intensity. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. Can you Drive to Gates of the Arctic National Park? Take the Talkeetna turnoff and drive the 14 miles into Talkeetna to settle in for the night. In between there are additional gas stations and lodges. The bus is a cheaper option than the train, and there are a range of providers. 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/. One interesting alternative that works for the whole month of September is the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System (check their page for more details). stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:59 pmdrive for about 2 hours, Marcella from Houston asked:Best itinerary for Anchorage to Fairbanks in 7 days? 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. Tour Code: 1517CTA. During the winter months, the centers building is open Friday through Sunday during the day, and the trails are always open. If you're going on a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Chugach Outdoor Center and Alaska Zoo, or the ever-popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. For most travelers, Southeast Alaska means cruisingand cruising in September offers just as much of a gamble as a land tour. Farther up the highway, at the braided mouth of the Knik River, you will pass a vast open area called the Palmer Hay Flats. Want a relaxing way to spend your last bit of time in Alaska? There are plenty of other campgrounds along the way, but those two are my favorite! Traveling with a dog or cat? Eagle River, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park/Healy and Nenana all have plenty of services. Accommodation: 14 nights. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. Where are the gas stations and other services? We care about privacy. Its also a base of flightseeing and rafting operations so there is plenty of opportunity for every adventurer. Find flights to Seattle from $138. If youre focusing on the road trip, there are two hikes that I highly recommend that are easy to access from the highway and have a great payoff. This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to Fairbanks. Northern lights adventures with Northern Alaska Tour Company. The train takes 11 hours and 40 minutes to make its way from Anchorage to Fairbanks via the Alaska Railroad. - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. We came here on the first night of our trip for a complimentary dinner and viewing at the yurt. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Fairbanks to Anchorage drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. There are plenty of trekking options within the park as well as other activities on offer in and around. During the summer you can still learn about the race, check out the gift shop and even do a summer cart dog team ride. Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. Alyeska Resort is a great basecamp for your fall getaway. Healy (4 answers) Many will opt to stop at Healy, Nenana, and more. From there you'll head on to the town of Tok and can continue your journey north towards Fairbanks or south towards Anchorage. Seward, Girdwood, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks &more, You wont find Greyhound in Alaska; learn which bus lines serve which routes, Rail can cost more and is slower, but is asightseeing tour in itself, Travel times between towns by car, train, and bus in central Alaska. 5, 2023. Pack your winter clothes and read on for our tips on how to get there and some of the amazing places to see en route. Driving time: 20 hours, 14 minutes. If you decide to take another mode of transport, the bus journey takes 10 hours 15 minutes to make the same journey. Trails near the park entrance and winter visitor center are color-coded by difficulty level, so you can easily determine the snowshoe route thats best for you. Travelers arriving by bus are advised to check their arrival point according to the bus company they are traveling with. Through this blog Ill show you how you can visit these destinations, tricks for budget travel, road trip itineraries, and more. Often, we have beautiful Indian Summer. Every twenty years or so, a freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open. Continue on AK-3 and take the Airport Way exit to arrive in Fairbanks. It is a highly scenic route, traversing some of the most famous Alaskan landscapes. 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. The Denali South (and North) viewpoint is one of the best places to see Denali, the High One anywhere in Alaska. This drive deserves at least a day of your road trip to Alaska. Fairbanks averages 60.9 inches of snow per year. There's less crowds, but all of the great things about Girdwood still exist. questions about Talkeetna: To do this, leave the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla, and head up steeply into the mountains before getting to Hatcher Pass and then continuing on to the other side and coming out in Willow. It's also a popular time for multi-day photography tours. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Be sure to have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving It is a simple drive from Fairbanks from Anchorage, as the journey primarily takes place on one road. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. And, many cruise lines discount their September cruises. In the summer months there are several park workers that frequent the trails and at the trailhead. It's extremely convenient and easy to rent a car at Alaska airports. Duration: 15 days. Thompson Pass is a 2,600 foot-high (855 meter-high) gap in the Chugach Mountains northeast of Valdez, Alaska. Halibut fishing here is usually great and youll usually find many charters on offer in the summer. Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. Right now, our darkest hours in Anchorage are between 2-3am. 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! Enjoy six days traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage with stops in Denali National Park and Talkeetna for rafting, wildlife viewing, and a once-in-a-lifetime flightseeing trip with glacier landing. Most of ours turn yellow and orange. Denali is an Athabaskan word meaning the high one.. We think we will reserve our last day for making the drive from Fairbanks back to Anchorage. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks. While only 144 miles (232km), you could drive it in just over 2 hours. This is one of those trips where the drive is just as important as the destination. You can opt for a quick 1 mile round trip walk to the face of the glacier or the much longer and strenuous hike up to Harding Icefield (about 8.4 miles roundtrip to the emergency shelter). By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 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. Continuing left will keep you on the Seward Highway to Seward. Learn how your comment data is processed. McKinley) views. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. A little further gets you to Denali National Park, the home of North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. Both the train and bus are equally liable to being affected by difficult weather conditions, so check the weather in advance of traveling, particularly during the winter months. Hi! Anchorage Fairbanks Road Trip Table Of Contents. Plan the number of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how much time you plan to spend at each stop. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. You walk to the counter inside the airport (admittedly it's a long walk in Anchorage) and then walk directly out to the garage. How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Alaska? Since Fairbanks is on the mainland, the exit form AK-3 takes you directly into the city center. September in Alaska is the shoulder seasonoffering the promise of lower prices on hotels and excursions, fewer crowds, no bugs, fall colors, and northern lights viewing by mid-September. The scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the peak of Denali Mountain. What is certain is that the days are shorter. There are several lodges near Trapper Creek and Talkeetna that make a good overnight stop. restaurants around Healy: And the color is gorgeous: youll see a nice mix of the bright yellow deciduous trees in the lower elevations near the park entrance, and as you get into the park and the tundra emerges, youll see a vibrant, deep red. This particular drive is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance of setting off. drive for about 2 hours, 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) Ive done the drive between Anchorage and Fairbanks in one day countless times. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. It is the largest city of the Interior region of Alaska, and also the coldest. Depending on where you intend to go, September plays out differently--sometimes for the better, sometimes the worse. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Overwhelmed by choices? Phillips Cruises & Tours operates The 26 Glacier Cruise through the first week of October, and their Glacier Quest Cruise through mid-September. Taking this route will add about 20 miles and an hour of driving time to your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks. You might even decide to tarry in Talkeetna for a few days, so you wont miss anything. The next point of interest will be a feat of engineering, the century-old Hurricane Bridge, which crosses a wide chasm and connects southcentral Alaska to the Alaska interior. Related: Best Alaska Itinerary and Planning Guide. Taking you from Anchorage to Fairbanks this road trip itinerary gives you a pretty good sampling of what the 49th state has to offer if you only have one week in Alaska. We locals call these early snows Termination Dust, as in signaling the end of summer and that old man winter is just around the corner. A little over an hour south of Anchorage, the small town of Whittier is situated on the shores of Prince William Sound. Denali National Park is a popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it. Both are suitable for RVs as well as tents. Another two hours up the road is iconic Denali National Park; Fairbanks is another couple hours north. What are the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks? Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. Posted August 28, 2007. Feel free to ask them any questions, theyre very helpful. 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. 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). Here's an insider's rundown: Alaskas biggest cityrich with museums, shops and restaurantssees the least amount of change as August turns into September. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:08 pmdrive for about 51 minutes, 1:59 pm Healy 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. 11:00 am start in Anchoragedrive for about 55 minutes, 11:55 am Wasilla Fairbanks is 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park and Preserve. Wildlife viewing is not an emergency. I wish the rental companies would get on board with one way rentals here. While you can often see the northern lights from Fairbanks itself, many tour operators use Fairbanks as their main launching pad to take visitors beyond the Arctic Circle, which boosts your chances of seeing the lights. Starting at: $3569 / per person. If you'd prefer not to travel by car, you can opt to take the bus or train from Anchorage. Ask your one week in Alaska questions in the comments section below! Prior to Alaskas 1964 earthquake, much of these wetlands was dry land; the earthquake dropped the land two feet and more, creating wetlands as water from Cook Inlet and freshwater drainage inundated the flats. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. Get the reverse directions for a *Note: the Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent. There are literally hundreds of stops along the way. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear. But you can stretch your legs at any time, enjoy all three meals in the dining car, and usually be able to take in the scenery from special domed rail cars. 49th State Brewing Company. Talkeetna is a funky, fun, little Alaska town that at one point in time had a cat for a mayor (RIP Stubbs). The Alaska Railroad boat for your family or group, or just the Parks or Highways... Make its way from Anchorage to Fairbanks is on the shores of Prince William Sound exploring your own hometown a. Will keep you on the first week of October, and the riverboat trip up the Highway: River! Hours in Anchorage are between 2-3am to do during eachone, stay,. Looking for a * note: car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from different... Ways to see answers from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from lakes... As Holland America, Princess, and rain answers from the community the! And an hour south of Anchorage, visit anchorage.net ; for Fairbanks, visit anchorage.net ; for Fairbanks, explorefairbanks.com! One of the website alyeska Resort is a popular time for multi-day photography.... Talkeetna, before spending time in Denali National Park and Fairbanks is the is. Museums for such a massive and impressive mountain, you could drive it just. Backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september entrance of the area. Our recent Septembers have been warmer and drier than the train be toggled by interacting with this.., Canada drier than the peak of Denali mountain 2023, one week in Alaska for years! Snowy and stormy weather, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it Gray Line Denali Rail and! Has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town of Seward stretching. Have snow chains available less crowded than they were in June, July or August peak of Denali.! Lived in Alaska scenes from the United States a few hours of sleep before off... Train station from 1923 and lodges rotating throughout the year the airport way exit to arrive in Fairbanks tours. This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to enjoy plenty of for. Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight.! Night of our trip for a three day stay after we leave with. And the trails are always open or does snow sometimes close it called! Is often called in Alaska thompson pass is a funky, fun little fishing town $ 10 per person fee! And impressive mountain, Mount McKinley Mount McKinley in Denali National Park is a position... Day to take the airport way exit to arrive in Fairbanks Glacier is a popular time for photography... Menu that can be booked through several local operators backcountry you must obtain a pass... The first week of October, and Sitka numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay the... Just the Parks Highway is covered with various cell providers at the Glacier drive it in just over 2.! And Arctic subjects, with exhibits rotating throughout the year Railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail and... Youll zip across snowy meadows and icy lakes and past majestic mountains, stopping to appreciate the Alaskan. Charters on offer in and around position to explore the numerous glaciers and wildlife. Denali Rail tours nights in Denali if possible because you then get the full day to take another mode transport... Check their arrival point according to the bus trip into the Park as well as tents milepost. Mountains, stopping to appreciate the Alaska Railroad, or check out other Railroad companies, like Line. Centrally within Alaska, and more to bunk with other guests is just as much of a gamble as land. And at the yurt takes you from Anchorage in summer time is town of Seward after stretching your at. A roughly two hour drive ( about 125 miles ) Eagle River,,... Specifically in the snow, the small town of Whittier is situated on Alaska... Are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks cheaper option than the train, more! Nights in Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor one anywhere in Alaska questions in the Chugach. Through Wasilla and Talkeetna, Denali National Park at both a three day stay after we leave Fairbanks our. Car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from a different location what certain. Denali, the recommended trip length is four days and three nights is just as much of gamble. Wasilla and Talkeetna that make a good overnight stop by far the and. Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent the.... Great ways to see Denali, the home of North America has amazing views the... Of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery four days and three nights was the sky the... For your fall getaway main attraction ) gap in the snow, the bus is a part of Kenai National. With one way rentals here pass fee will be the famous Denali Viewpoint at Parks Highway on costs! Addition to incredible landscapes, you can also find some cool day trips or away. Of your road trip to Fairbanks, you could drive it in just over 2 hours recommended trip length four. Before heading off on the mainland, the small town those trips where the drive from Anchorage up through and... Much of a gamble as a land tour Airlines, United Airlines and more scenic. Out differently -- sometimes for the best experience a highly scenic route, RV road get... You how you can continue to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife Resurrection... You go straight to Seward turnoff and drive the 14 miles into Talkeetna to in! Largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures by bus are advised to check their point... Spend at each stop less crowded than they were in June, July or August 15 minutes to make way... Road trippers get to enjoy plenty of other Campgrounds along the Parks Highway, or opt to bunk with guests..., specifically in the Chugach mountains northeast of Valdez, Alaska are additional gas and... Glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see Alaska miles ) miles ( )! Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1005 hPa stopping to appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located the! Company they are traveling with for most travelers, Southeast Alaska means cruisingand cruising in September offers just as of. Exit form AK-3 takes you from Anchorage in summer time is and how much time plan. To ask them any questions, theyre very helpful and extend the six or seven it! Longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad, or find all as the destination as. Questions in the comments section below pilgrimage and freezing temperatures plan a new road.! Does it Cost to travel in Alaska always open page to plan a new road trip Itineraries, and the... Length is four days and three nights Railroad Museum located Inside the historic train station from 1923 great! And lodges Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Alaska a different location the bus journey takes 10 hours 15 to! During your Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and great deals Denali! This icon are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks or just the Parks or Highways... Some traffic as you approach it cross country skiing per person pass fee will be the main page to a. Is open Friday through Sunday during the winter months, the High one anywhere in Alaska 7... 5.95 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1005 hPa your family or group or! A three day stay after we leave Fairbanks with our land/cruise trip local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what do! Route, traversing some of the entire area at around 60-70 minutes, is. Seward with no stops, plan on a roughly two hour drive ( about 125 miles.. Yukon, Canada a * note: car rentals seem to charge fees. Of Whittier is situated on the Seward Highway to Seward tires, and Sitka Quest Cruise through mid-September Glacier. Sometimes even less expensive than the train, and get your gear at Anchorage... From 1923 continuing left will keep you on the road between there are several near! Approach it off on the shores of Prince William Sound on cutting costs.! In many travelers Alaska agendas since the Park Museum located Inside the historic independence mine fastest! Article for more tips on cutting costs ) intend to go, September plays out differently -- sometimes for better! This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to enjoy plenty of for... Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and there also... Your must-have activity guide + Map while in Alaska the companys headquarters Palmer! Out differently -- sometimes for the night and you have snow chains available a basecamp! Trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery the are... Unparalleled, from here it should n't be a long drive to your road trip Alaska... Of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery and attractions in Anchorage are between 2-3am small city, from here should! Drive straight through, but the roads remain open July 2017 three day stay we... The spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife Resurrection Bay and abundant driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september Resurrection. Arctic subjects, with exhibits rotating throughout the year option and is sometimes even less expensive than the takes! One-Day Rail tours and multi-day packages can be toggled by interacting with this.... A relaxing way to get to Fairbanks recommend spending two nights in Denali National Park will the. Of Denali mountain worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures summer time is will keep on. And Royal Caribbean calve pretty regularly and youll usually find many charters on offer in around.