Driving from Vancouver to Anchorage
Jun 21st, 2017, 10:00 PM
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Driving from Vancouver to Anchorage
Hello we are an Australian couple who want to hire a car and drive from Vancouver up to Alaska, Anchorage in around August, 2019. What can we expect in regards to hiring a small cheap vehicle in Vancouver or maybe a van which we could possibly spend some nights in ? ALso, is there a problem with hiring vehicles and taking them up to Alaska and return? We would like to be away for a total of about 10 weeks, and just stay in cheap motels, caravan park cabins, national park cabins or in the van itself. We would probably stick to the AL CAN, and maybe return back via some other route. ANd then return the van or car back to Vancouver. We originally wanted to buy a car or van but were told the insurance would not allow us to do this as we have no permanent address in Canada or Alaska. Can anyone offer any advice ?
Jun 22nd, 2017, 07:40 AM
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First of all, purchase the <b>Milepost guidebook</b> for about $40 U.S. for details on all things <I>Alaska Highway</i>.
Second, I think it generally reasonable to expect you'll be able to find a vehicle to rent for a ROUND-TRIP drive to Alaska. Many people struggle to find places that will let it happen one-way. And, as Aussies, you won't have the concern that is (Americans or Canadians) having trouble renting in the other country and bringing it into their own.
I'm not sure whether vans are easy to come by (I just don't know)...
I do know that standard car rental companies do rent vans, <b>but they are seldom <i>'cheap'</i></b>.
The AlCan is plenty scenic, and when nearer to, and IN Alaska, to be heading in the opposite direction on the same road is at times like traveling a road you've not seen before.
And don't forget, IF you are challenged when trying to rent from Vancouver for this trip, the USA and <I>Seattle</i> are only 200km away.
(you could take a train from Vanc. to Seattle for a rental deal IF it were there and sensible)
Much of the AlCan is just you, the road you're on, and THICK forest all around... but with two people you can more easily pass than time than might someone driving alone.
LOL - there aren't <I>that many</i> "other" routes to use as alternatives for the return trip, but I think you can do it.
On my way back, I drove 2000 miles in 3 days.
I hope this begins to help your quest.
Second, I think it generally reasonable to expect you'll be able to find a vehicle to rent for a ROUND-TRIP drive to Alaska. Many people struggle to find places that will let it happen one-way. And, as Aussies, you won't have the concern that is (Americans or Canadians) having trouble renting in the other country and bringing it into their own.
I'm not sure whether vans are easy to come by (I just don't know)...
I do know that standard car rental companies do rent vans, <b>but they are seldom <i>'cheap'</i></b>.
The AlCan is plenty scenic, and when nearer to, and IN Alaska, to be heading in the opposite direction on the same road is at times like traveling a road you've not seen before.
And don't forget, IF you are challenged when trying to rent from Vancouver for this trip, the USA and <I>Seattle</i> are only 200km away.
(you could take a train from Vanc. to Seattle for a rental deal IF it were there and sensible)
Much of the AlCan is just you, the road you're on, and THICK forest all around... but with two people you can more easily pass than time than might someone driving alone.
LOL - there aren't <I>that many</i> "other" routes to use as alternatives for the return trip, but I think you can do it.
On my way back, I drove 2000 miles in 3 days.
I hope this begins to help your quest.
Jun 22nd, 2017, 08:47 AM
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Here is a website I think you'll find helpful: http://www.northtoalaska.com/
