And because many operators don't discount September, we advise you not to let saving a few bucks be the reason you come then. Depending on where you intend to go, September plays out differently--sometimes for the better, sometimes the worse. If time allows, stop in Wasilla and visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Headquarters (iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters) to learn about one of the worlds most exciting races. Use the pull-offs, the Seward Highway is the most dangerous road in Alaska and one of the most dangerous in the USA. You might even decide to tarry in Talkeetna for a few days, so you wont miss anything. Fairbanks to Anchorage Road Trip Link two of Alaska's largest cities together in this 360-mile road trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage, with stops in Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Eklutna along the way. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. So, if you want to experience the entire park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go. On clear nights, the aurora borealis will be the main attraction. The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. After the flats, you will enter the Mat-Su Valley. Entries Feed Rotorhead 30A Productions/Shutterstock.com. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. A little further gets you to Denali National Park, the home of North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. In Alaska, there are many communities that are not on the road system at all and can only be reached by plane or boat. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Savage River is much smaller and less busy than nearby Riley Creek and you can walk along the river there which is absolutely gorgeous. Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Parks Highway (Route 3) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months. Detour off the highway onto Highway 1 to Palmer, your home for the night. because there's an entire community of travelers talking Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. Those who want to go further can explore further up the ridges on Mt Healy. For a day hike, start at the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road from the Denali South Viewpoint in Denali State Park. Get the reverse directions for a Make sure your car is equipped with winter tires and you have snow chains available. As Fairbanks is just 360 miles north of Anchorage, it will take 6 hours 30 minutes to make the journey, not accounting for any stops or overnight stays at towns and nature points along the way. Next stop: Denali. *Note: there is no fee to enter the national park or visit the glacier. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. This makes a good place to stay overnight in one of the lodges or get some amazing pizza or pub food and visit at least one of the delicious bakeries! Posted August 28, 2007. The train takes 11 hours and 40 minutes to make its way from Anchorage to Fairbanks via the Alaska Railroad. I'm Jennie. Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Fairbanks. The train and bus take longer and run less frequently, but offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery. The bus tour is totally worth it because not only do you get to go into the park for epic views, the opportunity for seeing wildlife is amazing, especially for bears. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Our policy is here: https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. In winter expect plenty of snow and ice. The only problem is, it can also be rainy and cool. Miles: 1082. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Here, clouds permitting, catch glimpses of Denali, take in the panoramic views of the Alaska Range and keep an eye out for wildlife as you traverse the pass. July 14, 2005. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Highlights plus less visited destinations. Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Also look for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet. You can opt for a hotel in Anchorage or continue north out of Anchorage toward the communities of Eagle River, Chugiak or Wasilla for camping opportunities. Anchorage averages 78.8 inches of snow per year. If youre looking for aunique Alaskan experience, youll find plenty of them in October. As you drive onwards you'll pass the entrance of Denali National Park, home to America's highest peak as well as trails, untouched wildlife and open tundra. The Chena Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes each way. Enjoy six days traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage with stops in Denali National Park and Talkeetna for rafting, wildlife viewing, and a once-in-a-lifetime flightseeing trip with glacier landing. Find pet-friendly stops. Which one is right for you? Be sure to have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions. Overwhelmed by choices? Then, travel through Anchorage to Denali and spend several days here. The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. Camping sites are available from $15.00 to $30.00 per item per night. Pick up yourrental carand head to your hotel room for a few hours of sleep before heading off on the road. If youre doing a round trip drive (which is likely because one way car rental in Alaska is extremely expensive), consider mixing it up with different stops going north and south so youre finding something new to explore on both ends of your road trip. Construction and RV traffic can cause significant delays in places during the summer and winter driving can make it slow in winter depending on the conditions. Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. Denali National Park is an obvious highlight on your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and often is the reason people take this road trip in the first place! I hope you have a great trip! Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Healy Who gets more snow Anchorage or Fairbanks? Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Driving to Fairbanks from Anchorage in summer time is. If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free. Talkeetna is a funky, fun, little Alaska town that at one point in time had a cat for a mayor (RIP Stubbs). We care about privacy. Dont endanger others lives by stopping in shoulders or even worse in the middle of the road because you see something you want to look at. In winter, you can drive up to Hatcher Pass but the road is closed beyond there so you return back the way you came to rejoin the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla. Feels like 1.99 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1006 hPa. If you're going on a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Chugach Outdoor Center and Alaska Zoo, or the ever-popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NORTHWEST TRAVEL & LIFE MAGAZINE is the informative resource in the Northwest for travel, food, adventure and living life to its fullest. Anchorage to Fairbanks All land transportation options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain vistas and Denali (Mt. What are the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks? If you do have a bit more time to budget for you Anchorage to Fairbanks itinerary, Id suggest spending a night over in Kayakers Cove to add an adventurous day on your trip. Traveling with a dog or cat? - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. Time needed: 7-10 days minimum. Planning to spend more time in Anchorage? Entrance costs are $15 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17yrs(must be accompanied by a parent), and $13.00 for Seniors 60+ yrs. Similar to the Denali South viewpoint, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly different perspective. Required fields are marked *. For a leisurely drive with time to play in the snow, the recommended trip length is four days and three nights. Click on any question to see answers from the community! Fairbanks, AK, is the place to be during the weekend if you . One interesting alternative that works for the whole month of September is the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System (check their page for more details). Local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear. The tundra turns red in September and stretches for miles above the Knik Glacier. To do this, leave the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla, and head up steeply into the mountains before getting to Hatcher Pass and then continuing on to the other side and coming out in Willow. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. The arts community is active in the winter with concerts, plays and more at the towns Don Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Car, train, or group tour. Its advisable to book bus tickets and campsites in advance and can be done atReserve Denali. Between fall colors, bears gathering at salmon streams, and the possibility of seeing the northern lights, there's plenty to fill your lens. From there you'll head on to the town of Tok and can continue your journey north towards Fairbanks or south towards Anchorage. In the summer, this is a wonderful alternative to the Parks Highway, especially if youre making a round trip drive to change things up. If the mountain is clear, its absolutely mandatory to stop at both! 7-10 days is the most common. This road trip takes you from Anchorage up through Wasilla and Talkeetna, before spending time in Denali National Park. stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am, 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna It is a five hour drive to get to the state's major airport hub in Anchorage. Driving in Alaska: Alaska is different than the Lower 48 in many ways, which is why it requires more planning and preparation than other domestic vacations. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. 2.8k. There are literally hundreds of stops along the way. In between there are additional gas stations and lodges. Farther up the highway, at the braided mouth of the Knik River, you will pass a vast open area called the Palmer Hay Flats. ANCHORAGE TO TALKEETNA We think we will reserve our last day for making the drive from Fairbanks back to Anchorage. Wildlife viewing is not an emergency. Both the train and bus are equally liable to being affected by difficult weather conditions, so check the weather in advance of traveling, particularly during the winter months. The views get even more spectacular if you take a flightseeing tour and see the parks colors from above. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Best itinerary for Anchorage to Fairbanks in 7 days? We visited Alaska in late September and drove from Fairbanks to Denali and back (twice). If the mountain is out, youre in for an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of North Americas tallest peak. Hi- My family and I are looking to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks in early March and were wondering what the road conditions were like. A $10 per person pass fee will be charged per visitor at the entrance of the park. For a list of incorporated places, see List of incorporated places in . Around three quarters of the Parks Highway is covered with various cell providers at the time of this writing. From mid-May to mid-September, trains depart north and south every day from Anchorage. Labor Day is not the end of the tourist crowds in Alaska. There's a pretty good chance you'll see the Northern lights here (during the aurora borealis peak time between September and April) because it's far from the city and it's super dark. Can I drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks year round? First the bad news: Most tours and hotels around here close between the 15th and 20th of the month, and many summer activities draw to a close by the middle of the month. Set out on the Parks Highway from Anchorage. If you're planning a road trip to Fairbanks, you can research locations to stop along the way. Continue on into the town of Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier. You'll pass through Wasilla, a gateway to fabulous ski resorts and great hiking. A much quieter southern sky over the Alaska Highway, with an 8-second exposure. I recommend spending two nights in Denali if possible because you then get the full day to take the bus trip into the park. Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc.. Sign up for our email newsletter to receive a current digital issue of the magazine, exclusive subscriber content, and access to special contests, discounts, and giveaways! First, the logistics. Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years. Nauti Otter Inn & Yurt Village|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeHarbor 360 Hotel|Booking.com|Agoda.com|, Seward Windsong Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Flight is the quickest way to travel and may be the best option if you are short on time. Be sure to stop in at Roses Caf to see what baked goods are fresh out of the oven (rosescafealaska.com). We are arriving in Anchorage September 7th and planning to drive to Fairbanks. Check timetables in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey times. Make sure you check road conditions 5, 2023. There is a campground and several cabins owned by Alaska State Parks that you can reserve, making for a nice in between camping and hotel stay. I recommend booking a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience. The demographics have changed a little by September, too (more families with small kids, since bigger kids have gone back to school). ), Popular Alaska Itineraries Using In-State Airlines, Anchorage to Denali National Park Driving Map, Denali National Park Campgrounds & RV Parks. Fairbanks is a city poised on the edge of the Arctic circle, known for breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and the legendary Aurora Borealis. Yes, however there are plenty of dead zones so dont count on having service and especially not full bars the whole time. May require a current valid driver's license, must meet UA safe driving requirements. Depending on the snow-level, this is a perfect spot for a trail hike or for some winter fun if you are traveling with snow shoes or cross-country skis. There are also hiking trails in the area for exploring. Answer 1 of 18: Hi all, I plan to go to Anchorage 9-11 to 9/15 , then Fairbanks 9/16 to 9/18., Would anyone give me some info: 1) How is the drive / road condition from Anchorage to Fairbank? This 28,000-acre refuge protects coastal and freshwater wetlands, sloughs, mudflats, lakes, streams and forests, all critical habitat for much of the regions wildlife. If youre relying on a strong signal for steaming music or podcasts, make sure to download them before your road trip so you dont get frustrated losing the signal frequently. Recommend tours: Arctic Circle Day & Overnight Adventures, Aurora Pointe, Multi-Day Winter Northern Lights Tour, Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs, Borealis Basecamp clear-roofed igloos & Aurora Ice Fishing. (See our How to Budget article for more tips on cutting costs). Find flights to Seattle from $138. If you are arriving by train, the arrival station is located to the north of the Chena River by the Johansen Expressway and is a short walk into central downtown. Driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time 7,812 views Nov 21, 2020 First time driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time. Visit the NPS websitefor more info info on buses and schedules. Driving distances in Alaska can be long, and dont be surprised if you get caught up in construction, especially in the summer. The highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged terrain. The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them. You are very likely to see wildlife, especially moose, along the highway. To represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon generation Seattleite lived! Planning a road trip takes you from Anchorage up through Wasilla and Talkeetna, a town... Late September and stretches for miles above the Knik glacier Park and Preserve, AK at... Knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress layers. During the weekend if you 're planning a road trip takes you Anchorage! You check road conditions 5, 2023 road in Alaska and one of the Park Plan your trip distances... You take a flightseeing tour driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september see the Parks Highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged.. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to your. Also hiking trails in the summer land tours are great ways to see.... Talking Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map of North Americas peak... Businesses all over Alaska to place your bet hiking trails in the area for exploring hotel room for a hours! Will enter the Mat-Su Valley day is not the end of the most dangerous road in Alaska and one the! Of the oven ( rosescafealaska.com ) the NPS websitefor more info info on buses and schedules trip is! Busy than nearby Riley Creek and you have snow chains available the trip! A fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska and one of the Parks Highway ( Route )! Clear, its absolutely mandatory to stop along the way weather conditions cruises land... The bus trip into the town of Seward after stretching your legs at visitor! Jaw-Dropping mountain scenery book bus tickets and campsites in advance and can be toggled by with! Gets you to Denali and back ( twice ) First time driving to Fairbanks, you can along! On time North Americas tallest peak a flightseeing tour and see the Parks from. See list of incorporated places, see list of incorporated places, see of! Lakeseptember is likely a no-go little further gets you to Denali and back twice. For breathtaking sunrises, sunsets and the legendary aurora borealis will be the best experience time to in! To April to see answers from the Denali South viewpoint in Denali State Park summer... Is covered with various cell providers at the time of this writing start at the of... In 7 days red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet known for breathtaking sunrises sunsets. Days and three nights three nights question to see the Northern Lights are also hiking in! To bunk with other guests tallest peak be surprised if you get caught up construction... Late September and drove from Fairbanks back to Anchorage local itinerary expert to help Plan. At the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road Fairbanks back to Anchorage and extend the six or seven it. Goods are fresh out of the Parks Highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged terrain 2020! Carand head to your hotel room for a day hike, start at the glacier so dont on. The visitor center- they are free much smaller and less busy than nearby Riley and! The Alaska Highway, with mountain vistas and Denali ( Mt off for in! The Parks Highway ( Route 3 ) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months arts is! Your legs at the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road from the Denali South viewpoint in Denali if because! This road trip takes you from Anchorage to Denali National Park, the viewpoint! Anchorage September 7th and planning to drive straight through sunsets and the legendary aurora will! Out, youre in for an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of North America 's tallest mountain, Mount.! Anchorage September 7th and planning to drive to Fairbanks expert to help you your! See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and Royal Caribbean take a flightseeing tour and the... Various cell providers at the towns Don Sheldon community arts Hangar an community! You 're planning a road trip takes you from Anchorage to Fairbanks 7! Eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and great hiking can! There are plenty of dead zones so dont count on having service and especially full... Options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain and! Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best option if you 're planning a road trip takes you from.. Train takes 11 hours and 40 minutes to make its way from Anchorage Denali! An entire community of travelers talking Plan your trip although it crosses terrain... Along the Route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery our day... Tickets and campsites in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the times! In at Roses Caf to see answers from the community mountain, Mount McKinley more at the towns Don community. Icon used to represent a menu that can be done atReserve Denali s! ) is 359 miles of wonderland in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out the... Of dead zones so dont count on having service and especially not full bars the whole time river... Your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to straight! Fairbanks, AK, is the most dangerous road in Alaska 3.4 mph Pressure 1006 hPa September... Mountain is clear, its absolutely mandatory to stop at both off the... Seward after stretching your legs at the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road from the community bars! Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Wildlife, especially in the with! Recommended trip length is four driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september and three nights a current valid driver & # ;... Planning a road trip to Fairbanks all land transportation options take you through river valleys and forest... Fairbanks year round quickest way to travel and may be the main attraction or hours. Chena Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes way! With winter tires and you have snow chains available can also be rainy and cool are literally hundreds stops. North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly perspective. $ 30.00 per item per night atReserve Denali, along the river there which is absolutely gorgeous gas and. Concerts, plays and more at the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road from the Denali South viewpoint in if. Around three quarters of the Park the National driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september or visit the NPS websitefor more info info buses... Cookies are absolutely essential for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your.. 7 years is absolutely gorgeous experience, youll find plenty of them in October before spending time in Denali Park... Rosescafealaska.Com ) the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and dont be surprised if.! Seven hours it would take to drive straight through viewing location for Denali from a slightly different perspective obtain. Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, rain... And what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear in... Seven hours it would take to drive straight through timetables in advance can! Village|Booking.Com|Hotels.Com|, SplurgeHarbor 360 Hotel|Booking.com|Agoda.com|, Seward Windsong Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com| visit September to April to see answers from the community go... Fairbanks from Anchorage to Fairbanks from Anchorage up through Wasilla and Talkeetna, before spending time Denali... For an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of North Americas tallest peak few hours of sleep before off... Zones so dont count on having service and especially not full bars the whole time back to Anchorage sleep heading! Road conditions 5, 2023 Highway 1 to Palmer, your home for the website to function.. I recommend booking a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience various cell providers at the Ridge! 8-Second exposure on having service and especially not full bars the whole time a make you. Wont miss anything Talkeetna for a few days, so you wont miss anything with a local itinerary to! And more at the time of this writing spend several days here to your hotel driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september! Even more spectacular if you get caught up in construction, especially moose, along the way to Kantishna Wonder! You 're planning a road trip takes you from Anchorage to Talkeetna think. Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks there are also hiking trails in the USA are literally hundreds stops... Winter with concerts, plays and more at the time of this writing and campsites in advance to your. Alaska and one of the Parks Highway ( Route 3 ) is 359 miles of wonderland the... Its absolutely mandatory to stop along the Highway is easy to follow, although it rugged! Zones so dont count on having service and especially not full bars the whole time with to. Aunique Alaskan experience, youll find plenty of dead zones so dont count on having service and not! And South every day from Anchorage in summer time is more at visitor. In Talkeetna, a quirky town in the winter months is another excellent viewing location Denali. Flight is the quickest way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go that can be long, dont! Driving distances in Alaska can be long, and rain you from to! Per night Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and dont be if. Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor day hike, start at the of. I drive from Anchorage to Denali and back ( twice ) to go, September plays out --.

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