Georgia to Fairbanks
Sep 24th, 2015, 06:26 AM
#1
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Georgia to Fairbanks
I need to get 1 car and a pregnant wife from south Georgia to Fairbanks starting in mid December and I need some options on how to do it.
Ideally we could take our time and see some beautiful country over a few weeks, but being that it will be December and my wife will be very pregnant that is out of the questions.
I could ship my car and we both fly, but I dont want to deal with the hassle of shipping it and having to wait on the back end.
We could both drive to the coast and take a ferry to Anchorage then drive to Fairbanks.. this is where I need some insight from people. Is this doable? How difficult is the travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks in December? What is the ferry situation?
I drive a 4x4 Toyota 4Runner, and dont absolutely have to be in Fairbanks until 1 Jan, but would like to get there with time to get situated.
Ideally we could take our time and see some beautiful country over a few weeks, but being that it will be December and my wife will be very pregnant that is out of the questions.
I could ship my car and we both fly, but I dont want to deal with the hassle of shipping it and having to wait on the back end.
We could both drive to the coast and take a ferry to Anchorage then drive to Fairbanks.. this is where I need some insight from people. Is this doable? How difficult is the travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks in December? What is the ferry situation?
I drive a 4x4 Toyota 4Runner, and dont absolutely have to be in Fairbanks until 1 Jan, but would like to get there with time to get situated.
Sep 24th, 2015, 06:41 AM
#3
Oh -- and living in Georgia, are you used to winter driving. Alaska is not your only potential problem (I notice you also asked on the Canada forum so you must be thinking of going north.
They even give winter driving courses in Alaska for newcomers
They even give winter driving courses in Alaska for newcomers
Sep 24th, 2015, 06:42 AM
#4
With a pregnant wife I would fly and ship the car and rent a car if needed at the Fairbanks end.
Otherwise, drive to Seattle and then ferry to Anchorage and drive the rest of the way. The sights will be gorgeous but I'm not sure how much a very pregnant wife would enjoy the ferry.
You could always sell the car, travel to Fairbanks and buy a new one there.
Otherwise, drive to Seattle and then ferry to Anchorage and drive the rest of the way. The sights will be gorgeous but I'm not sure how much a very pregnant wife would enjoy the ferry.
You could always sell the car, travel to Fairbanks and buy a new one there.
Sep 24th, 2015, 06:49 AM
#5
Stopping over at Haines is a great experience to see the congregation of bald eagles at the Chilkat river - but not sure you have the extra time with a pregnant wife.
I'm guessing he was at a base in Georgia and is headed up to Fairbanks for military service. In any case, this Georgian had not trouble driving the AlCan out of Haines or driving in Fairbanks in winter.
I'm guessing he was at a base in Georgia and is headed up to Fairbanks for military service. In any case, this Georgian had not trouble driving the AlCan out of Haines or driving in Fairbanks in winter.
Sep 24th, 2015, 07:11 AM
#6
I wouldn't do it, frankly, especially when you look at daylight hours once you're in northern Canada and Alaska. In addition to the possibility of extreme cold, you'd be driving hours and hours on ice in the dark.
Instead, I'd either sell the car and buy one in Fairbanks, or else drive to Tacoma, WA (use a southern route across the US) and ship the car straight to Anchorage on Totem Ocean - http://www.totemaritime.com/alaska/a...les-rvs-boats/
The boat takes 3 days to get to Anchorage, and one-way flights from Seattle to ANC in the winter are under $150. The cost will probably be comparable, the hassles minimal, the safety enormously improved. You can drive up to Fairbanks in a day from Anchorage (yes, still cold as hell) but nothing like the Alcan in winter.
Instead, I'd either sell the car and buy one in Fairbanks, or else drive to Tacoma, WA (use a southern route across the US) and ship the car straight to Anchorage on Totem Ocean - http://www.totemaritime.com/alaska/a...les-rvs-boats/
The boat takes 3 days to get to Anchorage, and one-way flights from Seattle to ANC in the winter are under $150. The cost will probably be comparable, the hassles minimal, the safety enormously improved. You can drive up to Fairbanks in a day from Anchorage (yes, still cold as hell) but nothing like the Alcan in winter.
Sep 24th, 2015, 08:28 AM
#9
Here's a possible routing - with no leg longer than 8 hours from Columbus GA -
1st night - Shreveport, LA
2nd night - Amarillo TX
3rd night - Santa Fe - only a 4 hour drive. Get out and enjoy Santa Fe, Taos, etc.
4th night - Arches National Park - Get out and enjoy the desert SW a bit
5th night - Boise ID
6th night - Seattle/Tacoma
Try to keep the daily mileage to 500 miles. Some of the legs have a few more than 500. For the comfort of both of you, don't try to do "too much" driving. For me that's 500 miles/ 8 hours per day. Enjoy the drive as much as possible.
1st night - Shreveport, LA
2nd night - Amarillo TX
3rd night - Santa Fe - only a 4 hour drive. Get out and enjoy Santa Fe, Taos, etc.
4th night - Arches National Park - Get out and enjoy the desert SW a bit
5th night - Boise ID
6th night - Seattle/Tacoma
Try to keep the daily mileage to 500 miles. Some of the legs have a few more than 500. For the comfort of both of you, don't try to do "too much" driving. For me that's 500 miles/ 8 hours per day. Enjoy the drive as much as possible.
Sep 24th, 2015, 08:43 AM
#11
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If you don't mind adding the mileage to your car, and I assume you don't if you're considering driving, you could hire a driver (through a bonded company, of course, not off Craig's List or anything like that) to drive your car to your destination and fly with your wife. If you delay your departure from Georgia a week or more after sending the car on its way, you can arrive at about the same time it does.
Are you in the military, by any chance? If so, you can look into getting the expense of transporting the car covered as part of your moving expenses, considering that your wife will be very pregnant when you're moving to Alaska in winter!
Are you in the military, by any chance? If so, you can look into getting the expense of transporting the car covered as part of your moving expenses, considering that your wife will be very pregnant when you're moving to Alaska in winter!
Sep 24th, 2015, 08:56 AM
#12
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It will be costly in any case.
If you have time and money, you could drive the southern route (20 -10 and/or 40) to the coast and then up to Seattle/Bellingham and take the ferry to Haines.
The ferry only runs on Fridays at that time of year and if you have a cabin on the ferry it will cost over $2000 for you and your car for the ferry portion of the trip.
It could be a way to see lots of the country, but will involve lots of seat time in the car. If your wife is like most of us were at the late stages of pregnancy, your cross country trip will take longer due to pit stops and a chance to stretch her legs and rest the back.
I'd look at the costs of flying and shipping the car (even if you need to rent one for a few days on arrival) and doing the drive (including, gas, tolls, lodging,ferry costs, etc). Assuming her doctor says a long flight would be ok in the late stages of pregnancy.
Best wishes on your adventures.
If you have time and money, you could drive the southern route (20 -10 and/or 40) to the coast and then up to Seattle/Bellingham and take the ferry to Haines.
The ferry only runs on Fridays at that time of year and if you have a cabin on the ferry it will cost over $2000 for you and your car for the ferry portion of the trip.
It could be a way to see lots of the country, but will involve lots of seat time in the car. If your wife is like most of us were at the late stages of pregnancy, your cross country trip will take longer due to pit stops and a chance to stretch her legs and rest the back.
I'd look at the costs of flying and shipping the car (even if you need to rent one for a few days on arrival) and doing the drive (including, gas, tolls, lodging,ferry costs, etc). Assuming her doctor says a long flight would be ok in the late stages of pregnancy.
Best wishes on your adventures.
Sep 24th, 2015, 10:49 AM
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Tough call with lots to consider.
- Will wife be able to fly (as far as pregnancy is concerned)?
- mid December to Jan. 01 means you have 2 to 3 weeks to get this drive done and doing it relatively quickly will take 2 weeks
- don't forget passports & no DUI's (or other felonies) for either person
- driving all the way... $500-$1000 in gas, $2500 in hotels, $200 in car maintenance, $500 in food, $1500 wear & tear cost on car (est. $0.40/mile). So, driving can easily cost $4000-$6000.
- the cost of your trip (driving or shipping car) would likely eat up the value that your car would increase (good vehicles increase in value in AK)
- I'd be very tempted to sell car and fly
- Will wife be able to fly (as far as pregnancy is concerned)?
- mid December to Jan. 01 means you have 2 to 3 weeks to get this drive done and doing it relatively quickly will take 2 weeks
- don't forget passports & no DUI's (or other felonies) for either person
- driving all the way... $500-$1000 in gas, $2500 in hotels, $200 in car maintenance, $500 in food, $1500 wear & tear cost on car (est. $0.40/mile). So, driving can easily cost $4000-$6000.
- the cost of your trip (driving or shipping car) would likely eat up the value that your car would increase (good vehicles increase in value in AK)
- I'd be very tempted to sell car and fly
Sep 24th, 2015, 07:03 PM
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How far along is your wife? That truck is going to feel very cramped before too long. Just so you know, Anchorage has some good car dealerships, and it might be worth flying there, buying a new (larger) 4x4, and continuing on the Glenn Highway towards Fairbanks.
My good friend just drove a F350 to Texas, and she said she couldn't have done it in anything smaller, given the roads, and length of sit time.
My good friend just drove a F350 to Texas, and she said she couldn't have done it in anything smaller, given the roads, and length of sit time.
Sep 24th, 2015, 08:09 PM
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<I like jetset's idea.>
Buying a new car? Um, OK. We have departed from reality here. If money's no object--but it so often is, isn't it?--then yes, that would be nice. Although why not just fly to Fairbanks and buy the car there, in that case? Could cost more, but who cares?
Buying a new car? Um, OK. We have departed from reality here. If money's no object--but it so often is, isn't it?--then yes, that would be nice. Although why not just fly to Fairbanks and buy the car there, in that case? Could cost more, but who cares?
Sep 24th, 2015, 10:53 PM
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<I like jetset's idea.>
Buying a new car? Um, OK. We have departed from reality here. If money's no object--but it so often is, isn't it?--then yes, that would be nice. Although why not just fly to Fairbanks and buy the car there, in that case? Could cost more, but who cares?
NewbE, I am trying to be helpful, like other posters here. Have you driven on the Alcan while pregnant?
Fact is, there are many reputable used car dealers, as well as all the major dealers.
I come from a place of comfort/safety for his expectant wife. I think she might be best off flying up after her husband is settled.
Fairbanks will be quite the change from Georgia, especially in December. Factoring in a cramped ride for thousands of miles, I did try to put her needs first.
Departed from reality? Not at all.
Buying a new car? Um, OK. We have departed from reality here. If money's no object--but it so often is, isn't it?--then yes, that would be nice. Although why not just fly to Fairbanks and buy the car there, in that case? Could cost more, but who cares?
NewbE, I am trying to be helpful, like other posters here. Have you driven on the Alcan while pregnant?
Fact is, there are many reputable used car dealers, as well as all the major dealers.
I come from a place of comfort/safety for his expectant wife. I think she might be best off flying up after her husband is settled.
Fairbanks will be quite the change from Georgia, especially in December. Factoring in a cramped ride for thousands of miles, I did try to put her needs first.
Departed from reality? Not at all.
