Alaska Trip---Itinerary/Denali Highway
 

Our family (self,wife, 10 yr old daughter,father & mother in law) is going on our first trip to Alaska late May/early June 2005 for almost 3 weeks. My tenative intinerary is to fly into Anchorage rent a car and go to Homer, Seward, ferry Whittier to Valdez, Valdez to Denali Nat'l Park via Denali Hwy (1 night stop along the way), Denali Nat'l Park to Talkeetna and Talkeetna to Anchorage. At this time we plan to take boat tours(Seward & Valdez), horse riding,some fishing, scenic float,dog ride (Seward or Wasilla) flightseeing (Talkeetna) along the way. One question I have is the Denali Hwy worth the extra money (approx $1,000 more for 3 weeks)for rental car(SUV) with company (Payless is only one I've found)that will let you take car on a gravel road? Also does intinerary look reasonable? I will probably come back to Anchorage from Valdez before we go to Denali Nat'l Park if I don't go across the Denali Hwy. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I personally don't think the Denali is worth the effort, especially at the time you'd be driving it. Some years it's a serious mess following breakup (and frankly I think some years it's not open until June anyway, but not sure.) The scenery is nice, but what if it's raining, or you have a flat, or whatever? Like I say, IMO not worth significant extra bux. You can easily go Valdez-Denali in two days on the pavement anyway, either via Fairbanks or Hwy 1.

One thing you should check, though, is if Payless (or any other car rental company) will let you on the ferry. Apparently (recent change I think) some of the majors have started saying it voids your insurance if you do so. Anyway, check it out, and soon.

Thanks for the feedback. I know that several folks on this site have indicated that the Denali Hwy was the highlight of their trip and that is the main reason I'm questioning if I should pay this extra cost on the car rental. As far as rental cars on the ferry this is what I found out today: I called 6 national rental companies today and 5 of the 6 told me they do not have a problem with cars going on the ferry. Those wereAlamo,Budget,National,Payless and Thrifty. I'm not sure where the idea of not using the ferry is coming from but it appears most national car rental companies are not taking that stand right now. I also posted this on the question concerning rental cars on ferrys.

rickd, did you call these agencies directly in Anchorage? Check their websites and read their rules before accusing fodorites of making up their own rules

For me, no an extra $1000 charge would not be worth it (I'll assume this also includes their insurance waivers??). I have driven it 3 different trips, never the full route on a single trip but in from each end. I also agree- you are probably too early anyway.

Gardyloo & Budget Queen based on your recommendations I believe I will skip the Denali Hwy. I had originally thought that I would skip Fairbanks but based on skipping Denali Hwy it appears to me that it would be as close to go through Fairbanks from Valdez to Denali Nat'l Park as it is to go through Anchorage. I plan on staying in Anchorage a few days at the end of the trip so maybe I should go through Fairbanks and stay 2 nights? Any suggestions? By the way Incognito I did call the local Anchorage numbers to ask about ferry travel. I didn't call the big ones (Avis & Hertz) so maybe they don't allow it, but anyway 5 of the 6 I called did allow it. This just seemed a little odd to me, but maybe I'm just a little apprehensive because I'm new at this and wonder if some postings could be biased to further their own agenda.

Rick, what are you talking about?
'wonder if some postings could be biased to further their own agenda.'

If a travel agent or others were wanting to direct you away from car rentals they could post that car rentals no longer allow traveling on ferrys. I'm probably getting on a big tangent over nothing.It just seemed odd to me that 5 of the 6 car rentals I called told me it was OK to go on the ferry. Anyway my main objective is to get feedback on my tenative Alaska agenda and if it is best to travel through Fairbanks from Valdez if I do not take the Denali Hwy as Budget Queen and Gardyloo have suggested. I appreciate the input I've received from them and if any others have further advice I would appreciate it.

I do think you will enjoy a visit to Fairbanks, certainly worthwhile. Request their visitor guide www.explorefairbanks.com Are you considering the www.toursaver.com ? This can offer great savings if you plan those coupon activities. I would and always do stay in Talkeetna at least one night.