Driving from Minnesota to Alaska August 2009
 

We are planning a trip to Coopers Landing in August 2009. We already have our cabin reservations but have some questions about getting there. Some of us are driving but my husband is driving my parents because my dad will not fly and it is his dream trip to flyfish in Alaska. Any suggestions on a route or information or cautions on driving there. They have plenty of time just need some info on the conditions of the roads once you enter Canada, The Yukon, Etc.
Thanks for any help!

Hi jobietron,

My husband and I drove to Alaska in 2007 from Louisiana and loved every minute of it. The roads were fine. Just purchase The Milepost and it has all the info. you will need for food, gas, lodging, etc. The windshield on our RV had to be changed when we got home because of all the nicks but the trip was worth it. Good Luck and enjoy

Just before you trip you can check for road conditions in AK.

http://511.alaska.gov/

There have been times when smoke from forest fires have caused difficult driving conditions.

Why did you have damage to your windshield?

There are gravel sections on Alaska Highway where construction is taking place. You need to drive really slowly to avoid cracking your own windshield and be thoughtful of other drivers on the highway. We got a little star on our windshield when some idiot from GA in his SUV decided to speed up and passed us on a gravel section. We drove 11,000 miles and got 4 cracks in a windshield but only one on the Alaska Highway. One in OK on route I-40, second in MO and third somewhere in BC. All three on paved roads.

While driving North once you pass Whitehorse the road gets worse with lots of frost heaves. Sometimes they are marked with a little flags, sometimes not. We witnessed one Toyota in trouble when a driver didn't slowed down and his car went high up and then all the way down to a big ditch. Thankfully there was a big distance between his car and ours. My suggestion is to slow down on this this road. I’m certain you already know that the Alaska Highway is a two lane road. The link dfrostnh gave you is very helpful. Keep in mind things may change daily. There are wild animals crossing the highway too. We had three herds of buffalos. Two of them blocking the road. We had moose with babies, fox. On a side of the road there were three black bears (not together), brown bear and a little farther a wolf. The most important, never ever run of gas. There are sections of the highway where you drive hundred miles and no gas stations around. Every gas station along the Alaska Highway accepted credit cards. Don't count on cell phone connection. Drivers are very helpful and considered except one driver from GA. I suggest stopping in many pull outs. Many have fantastic views and most restrooms were very clean.

I found Milepost useless in Canada. It can be a big nuisance while driving. Who wants to read when there is so much to see. There are hardly any mile markers along Alaska Highway anyway. If you want to see a sample of my pictures let me know and I can post a link for you.
Like veeviator, we too loved every moment of our trip.