Hi, We will be driving from Anchorage to Denali and are considering going through Hatcher Pass on the way. Does anyone know if you can take a rental car on this route as it appears that some of the road is gravel? Also, with a stop at the Independence Mine and other stops for picture taking about how long can we expect this to add to the already 5 hour drive to Denali? Thanks.

do search here under Hatcher Pass. Very recently there were number of posts where you can find answers to your questions

You will need to inquire directly of the car rental, most do not allow the gravel drive, so you would be limitied to going from Palmer to the mine. This needs at least a couple hours added to the Anchorage/ Denali Park drive.

Is the road paved all the way to the mine from Palmer? On the map it looks like the paved portion stops prior to the mine. If the car rental companies don't allow you to drive on gravel roads how is it that so many people seem to make this drive? Do they just go anyway and take their chances? Thanks.

The road is paved to the mine.