During our round-the-world road trip, we spent 2 weeks in Alaska and honestly had the time of our lives!
Alaska is the largest state in the U.S. by far covering an impressive 663,000 square miles. It’s often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’ and is only bordered by Canada to the East.
For that reason, Alaska also has the longest coastline in the United States. You get the idea… Alaska is HUGE!
This state had been on our bucket list for so long and yet it completely blew our expectations out of the water.
During our time here, we got up to so much including whale-watching, glacier-viewing, and exploring Denali National Park of course!
Let’s dive into our epic Alaska road trip itinerary, so you can start planning your trip too…
Route we followed: Google Maps link
As Alaska is so big, it’s impossible to cover every destination in just two weeks! However, hiring a vehicle allows you the chance to cram in as much as possible.
This makes it the best way to see Alaska in my opinion!
You’ve got the option of renting a car or campervan/motorhome and we definitely recommend the latter!
This is because Alaska isn’t cheap so you’ll save lots of money by staying on campsites. Even better, you can wild camp in this beautiful state which will help lower your costs.
We’ve put together a guide to the best campervan and motorhome rentals in Alaska to save you the hassle of looking for yourself!
If you'd prefer to drive something smaller then check out Rental Cars for the best deals.
Putting together an itinerary when exploring Alaska by road can be tricky as there’s so much to see!
This route will take you to the iconic Denali National Park, on boat cruises, and to the bustling city of Anchorage so it offers the best of everything.
If you’re looking for the best road trip itinerary of Alaska then let’s dive straight in…
This Alaska road trip itinerary involves you driving to Alaska through Canada, which is one of the most popular ways to enter the state.
Little Gold Creek is a border crossing between Alaska and the Yukon province in Canada. It’s the best option if you’re heading to/from Dawson City.
The road between Dawson City and Little Gold is called the ‘Top of the World Highway’ and it offers quite the experience.
It’s a 79-mile (127 km) gravel road that offers stunning views of the Alaska Range and the valleys below, so you’ll probably want to make a couple of photo stops along the way.
The Top of the World Highway is mostly fine to drive, although it can be a little rugged in some areas. However, the views are 100% worth it!
The one thing to note with this border crossing is that it’s only open during the summer months. So, if you’re planning to enter Alaska this way then you’ll need to plan your road trip accordingly.
However, if you’re entering or leaving the state when this border’s closed then don’t worry! You can simply start and end your trip from the Alcan Border crossing instead.
Now, I’m going to be honest with you here…
The consequences of your road trip to Alaska from Canada will leave you with a very dirty vehicle!
Tok is a 2.5-hour drive from the Alaska/Yukon border and is the first major town you’ll come across once entering the state.
You will pass by a random small town called Chicken first but there’s not a lot here, as it was built for gold miners a long time ago!
Tok is a great first spot to clean your van (which will 100% be needed), relax after the long drive, and grab a bite to eat.
Luckily for you, there’s an awesome pizza place here and it’s extremely popular! It’s called Fast Eddy’s and they serve the most delicious food.
If you’re not a fan of pizza (which I’m not going to go into right now), then you’ve got a variety of other food options. This includes tasty burgers, nachos, salads, and sandwiches.
They do a rockin’ milkshake too!
Tok is also the place where you’ll want to fuel up, get WiFi, and buy supplies for the journey. This includes food, toilet roll, and other necessities…
During your time here, you’ll want to visit the Tourist Information center too. For starters, they have displays about the local wildlife, the history of gold panning, and the construction of the Alaska Highway.
You can also grab plenty of brochures here before heading to the Alaska Public Lands Information Center. This is another great place to visit in town!
If you spend some time here, you’ll be able to find information on the adventures that are awaiting you in this incredible state!
Another cool thing to know about Tok is that it’s considered to be the ‘Sled Dog Capital of Alaska’.
There are also plenty of awesome areas for hiking nearby but you might not be up to it after all that driving…
The first major city that you’ll come across on this Alaska road trip is Fairbanks! In fact, it’s the only major city you’ll visit other than Anchorage but more on that later…
Before you reach Fairbanks though, there are a couple of awesome places to stop at along the way!
Your first stop should be Delta Junction as it marks the end of the iconic Alaska Highway. This highway was built during WWII to connect Alaska to Canada and the Southern 48 states by road.
We drove the whole highway from Dawson Creek in British Columbia, so it felt only fitting to stop off at the information center that’s found here. There’s a sign marking the end of the route too.
The next stop which is just before Fairbanks is the North Pole, I know that sounds crazy right?
Well, they actually do have an entire town named “North Pole” and there’s a Santa’s Grotto here which is open all year round!
You’ll see this place straight away as there’s a huge Santa Claus statue outside, as well as a large gift shop. Here, you can meet Mr & Mrs. Claus, listen to Christmas music, and meet the reindeer.
Even the lamp posts in town are candy canes! It’s a super cool place, although it felt very surreal as we visited in June so we were dressed in shorts and t-shirts…
Now on to Fairbanks itself!
Before the exciting part, this is another place where you’ll want to resupply and get anything done that needs doing. In our case, giving our van a much-needed oil change…
The first thing you should know about Fairbanks is that it’s one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, but that’s really only if you’re traveling here between August and April.
However, if you’re visiting between April and August then you’ll get to appreciate the Midnight Sun. This is where the sun never seems to set so it’s always bright!
You’ll also find plenty of awesome things to do in Fairbanks like visiting the Fairbanks Ice Museum and meeting some furry friends at the Running Reindeer Ranch.
Make sure you spend some time exploring the Museum of the North and Pioneer Park too!
If you’re looking to see the best of this incredible city then why not check out this half-day highlights tour?
From Fairbanks, you can travel North along the Dalton Highway up to Prudhoe Bay and the Arctic Circle Sign but more on that later…
If you’re spending 2 weeks in Alaska then you NEED to visit Chena Hot Springs!
To get there you’ll need to take a little detour, so you’ll want to head northeast from Fairbanks.
The drive between the two is only short, and there’s another cool place that you should visit on the way first….
Last Frontier Mushing Co-Op works with small independent husky owners in the area, and allows you to explore the Alaskan wilderness in the traditional style!
The tour options available will depend on when you visit, but either way, you’ll get to meet gorgeous huskies and learn all about the sport of mushing.
After spending some time with these gorgeous dogs, it’s time to carry on up to Chena Hot Springs!
These hot springs are pretty famous, and the facilities here are insane!
Boasting a large indoor and outdoor pool with temperatures of around 106°F (41°C); there’s no better way to relax your muscles after a couple of days of exploring.
During your visit, you’ll also have access to a hot tub, an on-site restaurant, and an ice museum.
If you head to the hot springs during winter you’ve got a great chance of spotting the Northern Lights too.
What’s great about this place is that there’s a campground here so you can park your vehicle up for the night and access the facilities.
This way, we got to relax in the hot springs late at night before heading to the bar for a cheeky cocktail.
You wouldn’t be able to do that if you had to drive on, so I’d recommend spending at least one night here, maybe two if you’re looking for some downtime.
However, if you did want to visit just for the day then there’s an awesome guided tour that will bring you here from Fairbanks or the North Pole.
After relaxing at Chena Hot Springs you’ll want to head south again past Fairbanks, and you’ll eventually pass by Denali National Park.
This national park is home to Denali (or Mount McKinley as it’s often called) which is North America’s highest peak at an impressive 6,190m (20,310 feet).
Denali is one of the most popular national parks in the world and it’s famous for towering peaks, hiking trails, and wilderness, as the park covers an impressive area of 6 million acres.
However, the main reason people visit Denali is for the wildlife, as the park is home to Alaska’s big 5; bear, caribou, Dall sheep, moose, and wolves.
Just before you reach the park entrance, you should stop at 49th State Brewing. Although this place is known for its craft beer and delicious food, it has something else to offer!
They have an exact replica of the famous ‘Into the Wild’ bus where Chris Mccandless unfortunately died of starvation (although this cause of death can’t be 100% confirmed).
This is the bus that was used in the movie, whereas the original bus is set to be on display at the Museum of the North in Fairbanks.
It used to be in the Alaskan wilderness, but they had to remove it a couple of years ago due to the growing number of people dying trying to reach it in the wild.
Once you’ve entered the national park there are LOTS of hikes to do, some easy and others very strenuous. If you’re up for the challenge, you have the chance to attempt a summit of Denali!
If you’re not looking for long hikes, some shorter options leave from Denali Visitor Center.
Aside from hiking, there are tons of other activities you can do here including a wilderness ATV adventure, a zipline adventure, and a highway jeep excursion.
However, one of the most popular things to do in Denali is to head out on one of the bus tours!
Private vehicles can only drive up to Mile 15 of the Denali Park Road which ends at Savage River. The only other way to explore the park after this point is to head out on a bus tour.
The great thing about this is that you’ll have an experienced naturalist guide on board who will take you to the best wildlife viewing spots, and help you spot animals!
As you head south back to the main road, you should pull in at some of the big viewing spots where you can admire epic vistas of Denali and the Alaskan Range.
Some of the best spots include Denali Viewpoint South, the Alaska Veterans Memorial, and the historic village of Talkeetna.
No 2-week Alaska road trip itinerary is complete without visiting Denali National Park so don’t leave this place off your list.
Just keep in mind that Denali can get super busy so you’ll need to plan your visit well in advance.
We spent around 1.5 days here, and only did a couple of short hikes but we had an incredible time!
If you’re spending 2 weeks in Alaska then you NEED to visit Anchorage - the state’s largest city.
On the drive into the city, you’ll be treated to incredible views which is why I recommend completing your Alaska road trip this way around.
In my opinion, the South of Alaska is by far the most beautiful with its snow-capped mountain ranges and glaciers, and you’ll get to experience that when heading to Anchorage.
Now, where do I start with this amazing city?
First of all, you’ll want to spend some time exploring Downtown Anchorage as this area is home to the ULU Factory, the Anchorage Museum, and the Log Cabin Visitor Center.
You’ll also find the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail here which is 11 miles (17.7km) long and offers you the chance to spot moose, beluga whales, and the iconic Mount McKinley.
During your time in Anchorage, you’ll want to head out on a trolley tour of the city too, and visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Anchorage is also a great base for day trips, so why not head out to Girdwood, take a ride on the Alaska railroad train, or try out gold panning at Crow Creek Gold Mine?
If you’ve got the time then I’d recommend spending some time at Chugach State Park too, where you can go on a guided alpine trek or go on an adventurous rafting experience.
As you can see there are so many fantastic things to do in Anchorage so what are you waiting for?
From Anchorage, you should head over to Whittier, as the drive there is breathtaking!
Along the way, you’ll pass by beautiful glaciers, and you’ll need to queue for a single-way tunnel which is also shared by a train. The direction of the traffic changes once every half hour.
Although Whittier is only small, you can spend some time exploring the charming harbor, and you can head out on a cruise of the iconic Prince William Sound.
I’d recommend visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center too which is nearby.
If you’re still up for more exploring, then you can also head to Homer & Seward, with the latter being the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park!
As you can see there are so many fantastic places to visit in this part of Alaska, so be prepared for an action-packed trip.
If you spend some time in Whittier, Homer, or Seward then you’ll need to head back to Anchorage and then continue towards Valdez.
Although the drive can be done in a day, it’s going to take you at least 6.5 hours and that’s without stops!
For this reason, it’s best to find somewhere to stay about halfway along the route, which is what we did. We stayed in a random pull-off wild camping spot that we found on iOverlander, but I'm sure there are other options too.
The route is beautiful and there are plenty of places to stop along the way, which is another great reason to split the journey up in two.
You’ll be driving along the scenic Glenn Highway for a good portion of this road trip, and the views are spectacular.
Some fantastic places to visit include Eklutna Historical Park, Sheep Mountain, Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area, and the Alpine Historical Park.
You should also stop off at Musk Ox Farm if you’ve got time, to admire these huge creatures that managed to survive the Ice Age!
However, the highlight of this part of the Alaska road trip is the number of glaciers that you’ll pass on the way to Valdez.
Matanuska Glacier is the most famous of them all, as it’s one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska. In fact, it’s the largest glacier in the United States that can be accessed by road!
If you head to Glacier Park, then you can go on an ice tour of the glacier.
Another great spot is Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area, as this is where you’ll get the best views of the glacier! There’s a nature trail here that takes about 20 minutes to walk, and it will take you to some fantastic viewing platforms.
As you can see there are so many fantastic places to see on the way to Valdez, so if you can, I'd definitely recommend leaving an extra day free on your Alaska driving itinerary.
This was my favorite stop for the entire trip (and we heard many other people say the exact same thing).
Valdez has everything you could imagine when you think of Alaska, including epic landscapes, plenty of wildlife, and glaciers of course!
The drive into the city takes you past glaciers on big winding roads, and the views are incredible but just wait until you get into Valdez.
Boasting a majestic mountain backdrop, lush rainforests, and a waterfront location, this place will take your breath away.
The city can get pretty busy as it’s so small so naturally, the campsites fill up way in advance. If you manage to grab a spot though, you’ll definitely want to spend a couple of nights here.
Valdez is full of quaint cafes and restaurants, but there’s so much more to this place than that!
The city is nestled between The Chugach Mountains and the Prince William Sound, so as you can imagine there’s a lot to do!
Valdez and its surrounding area are home to plenty of awesome attractions including the Solomon Gulch Hatchery, Valdez Museum, and the Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum.
During your time here, make sure you head to the iconic Valdez Glacier too, and the Columbia Glacier which is the largest tidewater glacier in the state.
One of the BEST things to do in Valdez though has to be taking a glacier/wildlife cruise with Stan Stephens!
This was the best part of our Alaska road trip, as we got up close to glaciers and icebergs, and saw a huge variety of wildlife including sea otters, seals, whales, and bald eagles.
After spending some time in Valdez, it’s a long drive back up towards Tok. From here, you’ll be heading out of Alaska through the Alcan border.
This drive is a grueling 336 miles long (540 km) and takes at least 6 hours. That’s without stops, and trust me, you’ll want to stop!
If you can manage without a toilet break for that long then you’re a superhuman…
Although this drive can be easily done in one day, you’re probably better off spending your final night in Tok or somewhere nearby!
For starters, you will have been driving all day so you’ll be tired. Secondly, you’ll be back on the Alaska Highway and you won’t have much in the way of civilization for a while.
Plus if you spend your last night in Tok you can always head back to Fast Eddy’s for some grub. There you can dine and spend the evening reminiscing about your epic Alaska trip!
After leaving Alaska, we then had the EXTREMELY LONG and seemingly unending drive all the way down to Vancouver. Although we did get to see some pretty cool spots including Whitehorse!
So, there you have it - the ultimate Alaska itinerary!
If you have longer to spend in Alaska, then there are plenty of other places to visit.
Adding on an extra week allows you to see a lot more, but of course, it all depends on your flexibility.
If you’re looking to do a 3-week Alaska road trip itinerary instead then here are some optional add-ons you could include…
You can drive the Dalton Highway from Fairbanks all the way north up to the Arctic Ocean if you wish. However, be prepared for a treacherous drive!
This road was built for truckers to transport oil supplies etc so the conditions aren’t ideal.
The 500-mile journey between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay can take up to 15 hours, so it’s a lot of driving. It’s quite the experience if you’re up to it though!
If you’re up for the experience then here’s some more information on driving the Dalton Highway!
If you’re looking for an easier add-on then why not drive up to the iconic Arctic Circle Sign?
As you may have guessed this sign indicates when you’ve crossed over into the polar region, and it’s a fantastic spot to grab a photo at.
Although you’ll still be driving along the Dalton Highway, this section is paved and only takes around 4.5 hours so it’s not a bad drive.
Girdwood can be visited as a day trip from Anchorage if you wish, or you can stay there overnight. I’d recommend the latter if you have time as there is so much to do here!
This resort town is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in Alaska, which is another reason why you should stay overnight!
During your time here, you’ll want to head up the Alyeska tram, explore the nearby Chugach National Forest, and try your hand at gold panning.
There are lots of other awesome things to do in Girdwood so if you've got the time - it's a great place to spent a night or two.
If you’ve got the time to drive further south from Anchorage then you definitely should!
Homer is roughly a 4-hour drive from Anchorage and is located along the Kenai Peninsula. Although the city is only small, there are plenty of things to do in Homer and the scenery here is insane!
The city’s main draws include Kachemak Bay State Park, the Homer Spit, and the variety of museums and visitor centers that you can explore.
Another great place to add to your Alaska road trip itinerary is Seward!
This city is just a 2.5-hour drive from Anchorage and is nestled between the Kenai Mountains and Resurrection Bay.
Seward serves as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park which is why it’s such a popular destination. From here, you can head out on fantastic cruises where you can spot wildlife and glaciers.
The iconic Exit Glacier is also found just outside of Seward and its a fantastic hike!
Here's some more information on the best things to do in Seward...
Talkeetna is located just off the George Park’s Highway and if you’ve got the time, then you should definitely take a detour there.
This place offers plenty of heritage and culture as it was once a thriving gold-mining town, but it’s the views that will take your breath away. If you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to epic views of Mount Denali.
You’ll also find plenty of awesome adventure activities here like Denali flightseeing tours, rafting, and dog sledding. There are tons of things to do in Talkeetna so what are you waiting for?
If you’re still not sure what else to include on your 3-week Alaska road trip itinerary then here’s an idea for you…
Why not take a trip on the Alaska Marine Highway System which is the only way to reach some of the state’s coastal areas?
Juneau is the capital city and can be reached this way but that’s probably a bit too far out of the way. However, Kodiak Island, Cordova, and Yakutat are definitely doable if you’ve got some extra time!
The best time to do a road trip in Alaska is during the summer months, so between mid-May and mid-September.
Now, there are a couple of reasons for this! Firstly, this is the best time to spot wildlife - especially bears which should be on your bucket list!
You’ll also encounter the best weather during this time such as warmer temperatures, drier conditions, and longer daylight hours.
You’ve got a couple of options here! You can either drive into Alaska across the Canadian border which is what we did or you can fly in and then pick up a rental vehicle.
The state’s largest airport is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which as you may have guessed is located in Anchorage. This is another good place to start a road trip!
Your other option is to catch a car ferry to Alaska from British Columbia in Canada or Washington State in the U.S.
It’s completely up to you but I’d recommend doing your road trip around Alaska counter-clockwise. This is the way we did it, and the views just got more epic as went along.
If you’re following this Alaska road trip itinerary, then you’ll be starting from Little Gold and then heading toward Fairbanks.
After, you’ll follow the route down to Denali and on to Anchorage, Whittier, and Valdez.
In all honesty, yes Alaska is expensive! Even though you may only be spending 2 weeks in Alaska, the costs can add up.
The best way to save money is to wild camp as you’ll save tons of money on accommodation. If you’re worried about the cost of driving in Alaska then don’t be as fuel isn’t too expensive.
However, necessities like food and toiletries tend to be pricey, especially if you choose to stay in campsites as you’ll have to stock up.
You certainly can and that’s the best way to save some cash during your road trip in Alaska!
We wild-camped most nights and found lots of fantastic spots - most of these through the iOverlander app.
Honestly, the views at some of them were out of this world!
Just make sure you’re respectful.
So, there you have it - the best Alaska road trip itinerary!
As you can see there are so many fantastic places to visit in this state and we’ve only just scratched the surface - we already can’t wait to come back one day.
Whether you’re looking to wildlife watch in the national parks, try out glacier hiking, or learn about the native culture, Alaska has so much to offer.
In our opinion, road trapping this enormous state was the best decision we could have made as we got to find some hidden gems and park up at some truly spectacular wild camping spots!
There’s no denying that there are plenty of Alaska road trip itineraries out there.
However, if you’re looking for the best road trip in Alaska then this may be the route for you as it allows you to see lots of destinations in a limited amount of time.
Just keep in mind that if you're planning to stay in Alaska for longer there are some places that are a bit more remote and therefore, harder to access. This includes Elias National Park, and Gates of the Arctic National Park with the latter only being accessible by plane.
For those with more time, you can even head over into British Columbia (Canada) and explore Vancouver, Banff, and Jasper.
If you’re planning a road trip around the United States then here are some other guides that you may find helpful:
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