We are driving from Healy to Homer which Google maps says is an 8 1/2 hour drive not including stops. Is there any "must-do" side trip we can do on the leg between Healy and Anchorage? Probably only have time for one! (We will do Seward to Anchorage drive after our stays in Homer and Seward.) Best place to stop for lunch? We are early risers and can check into our vacation rental in Homer in the evening if we need to. Thanks. Leaving for Alaska in 6 days!

As usual, Google Maps is pretty optimistic on drive times. Any way you cut it, you're in for a VERY long day. I can't think of any "must-see" stops along that route that would justify taking more than just a few minutes. One that comes to mind is the interesting cemetery in Eklutna, a Native village alongside the Glenn Highway between Palmer and Anchorage. The colorful "spirit houses" that sit over some of the graves are quite interesting - http://www.eklutnahistoricalpark.org/ .

Otherwise I'd grab a quick meal in Anchorage and keep heading down the road. I'd definitely get as early a start is possible, and be prepared for slow going on the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Girdwood, especially if this is on a weekend day.

If you are a Costco member, the cheapest gas you will find is at the Costco on the east side of Anchorage. It will be daylight until nearly 10PM at least as far south as Anchorage. The only other thing that we stopped at was the muskox farm north of Palmer. There is a highway from Wasilla over to Palmer.