Seward to Denali
 

We are going from Anchorage to Seward and then need to get from Seward to Denali. We will have a rental car if we need it.

Would it make more sense to try to make the Seward to Denali drive (anyone have any thoughts on how the drive is? Is it a lot of mountain roads?) or is it better to head back to Anchorage and take the train to Denali?

Thanks for any feedback.

Thank you!

I wouldn't call myself an Alaska expert, but I have made the Anchorage-Denali trip a couple of times.

Your question is whether to drive the whole way from Seward or drive back to Anchorage and take the train. In either case, you're going to have to drive back through Anchorage, I believe.

I would drive. The train is an overrated way to get to Denali. There aren't really any great sights to see from the train. It's mostly a long, boring trip. As for driving, the roads are OK. Not exactly highways, but nothing mountainous or difficult to drive. Plus, it helps to have a car in the Denali area.

You have to return through Anchorage to get to Denali.

It's a long day, around 7+ road hours not counting stops, construction, etc. The roads are fine. The drive between Seward and Anchorage is very scenic for much of the distance, the drive from Anchorage to Denali considerably less so (with some exceptions.)

The train isn't that great an option for Denali IMO.

We've driven all the way in one day more than once. We would rather get to either end than stop in Anchorage. We don't mind long days of driving but some do. Good roads but Seward to Anchorage can be a bit slow with traffic. No mountainous driving. Just good mountain scenery.

One suggestion for a stop that won't take long. There are two pullouts/parking lots off the highway between Talkeetna and Denali. Both are called Denali STATE Park View, North and South. If the mountain is out of the clouds, they are some of the best viewpoints to see McKinley. Doesn't cost a thing--you just pull into the parking lot. If the mountain is out, there will be no doubt which one it is. It will be so much larger than the others that you almost can't believe it.

Thank you all! This information is perfect to help us plan our trip!

I have also done this drive, but split it up by stopping in Palmer, and then again in Girdwood (to have the opportunity to take our time and see more of other areas).

Having a car in Alaska is the way to go.

Don't rush the drive from Anchorage to Seward as the scenery is stunning and you will want to stop along the way. We took ALL day to drive that portion purely because we kept stopping for periods of time to look at animals and the incredible scenery.

My pictures from my trip are at
http://www.dreamhorsemedia.com/trave...reat-road-trip
The first two pics are from the drive from Anchorage to Seward. It is seriously beautiful - take your time and enjoy it.