janisj

Don't exchange -- use your ATM card.

DoubleDAZ

janisj - ok. I just read that they use a different rate to exchange money than to withdraw from an ATM, so that's what I'll do. Thanks.

DoubleDAZ

BTW, can someone tell me if it's advisable to make reservations at the motels far in advance, like now, or can I wait until a day or 2 before our planned stop?

janisj

>>janisj - ok. I just read that they use a different rate to exchange money than to withdraw from an ATM, so that's what I'll do. <<

The rate is (almost always) better via an ATM than exchanging currency. There are some exceptions is parts of Asia/South America but basically use a debit card to get currency. BTW -- the 'rate' is determined by your own bank - not that ATM in Canada

NorthwestMale

... hmmmmm... what/when DID I eat, along that trip?

(memories)

The only McDonald's on the Alaska Highway is in Whitehorse

"Boston Pizza" in Fort St. John (was my first-ever visit to such a place... and I've loved it ever since {went 3 times in 4 days earlier this year} )

There was something of a drive-in restaurant in Watson Lake, across-ish from the Sign Post Forest... where I had very good chicken rings... and, wow, was it a licorice milkshake or some such thing?

While it isn't wrong to fill your vehicle with snack options to fill the hours, I don't think you need to do anything special in the way of expecting mealtime to arrive with zero outside options.

And the Milepost magazine must surely cover some element of where to eat along the highway.

I am all for your making time for the hot springs, as I recall having read plenty about it/them.

The logistics of simple stuff to be done along the Alaska Highway remains an important focus.

Oh, BTW, there was even an all-night gas station not terribly far from Kluane Lake (west of it, I vaguely recall)... but I opted to drive through to Tok.

(it feeeeeeels as if there were some meal options adjacent to that - vaguely)

DoubleDAZ

Thanks NorthwestMale. Unfortunately, I found that was indeed the only McDonald's on the AlCan, though there are some in and after Prince George on the return route. Still, that was only going to be an indicator of probable other places to eat, so I had to look for those other places. What I found is that there seem to be enough places along both routes that we won't starve. I did make note of the specific places you mentioned. I'm only really concerned about lunch because I won't really know where we'll be when we get hungry, but that's true of any trip and we always carry some snacks to tide us over. My research did tell me that, again like you said, we won't need to do anything special as far as food goes and that's good to know.

I see the FasGas in Haines Junction is 24 hrs. The next one is in Beaver Creek, but I didn't see any hours. Either way, given where I've checked, I think we'll be okay as far as gas and food goes. Now I just need to make motel reservations and we should be all set. Once i get the Milepost I'll refine our plans. I have the AAA tour book, but it's a bit disappointing got places like Watson Lake, etc.

NorthwestMale

... I was comfortable passing up the 24-hour gas station I saw... in favor of waiting until Tok, to fill-up.

FYI - the station I used in Tok, would let you pump and pay with a credit card even though the establishment was 'closed' so late at night.

I just... think you'll be fine for regular meals during a trip on the AlCan, especially when you'll be traveling nearer to the popular window for tourism than I was.


I suspect that the Milepost will clear-up any nagging food concerns.

And, y'know, the instinct that is to just have snacks on hand (not for meals, but merely) in order to pass the time along the highways... serves as a back-up in the event there is zero food to be had, which is highly improbable.

DoubleDAZ

Mike, we don't drive at night, so I doubt any gas stations will be closed when we need gas, but thanks for the tip. My concern is it's 10:40 (plus stops) to Fairbanks from Whitehorse and 10:15 to Eielsen AFB. I don't know how much time we'll spend along the way for photo ops, especially around Kluane Lake, but there is a McDonald's in Whitehorse that opens at 4:00, so we should be on the road before 7:00. There are some restaurants in Haines Junction 1:38 from Whitehorse, a Fas Gas with motel/restaurant at Kluane Lake and Buckshot Betty's in Beaver Creek 5:10. I'm wondering now though why I'm planning to stop in Whitehorse when it's less than 6 hrs from Watson Lake, so I need to rethink that. Beaver Creek might be a little too far, but we can certainly make it to Kluane Lake and the Talbot Arm Motel for the night and then we'd have no problem getting to Fairbanks. The Talbot Arm is a bare-bones motel, but the reviews on Trip Advisor are decent and the restaurant seems okay too.