Several states in the U.S. are rather long. When it comes to driving distance, Alaska is the longest. It’s a large territory. To begin with, the journey to Alaska is far less challenging than most people imagine. Traveling from the U.S. to Alaska, it’s impossible to ignore the breathtaking grandeur of Mother Nature. It would take nearly 24 hours and 1,073 miles to travel from Homer, Alaska, to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on the Arctic Ocean. North-south is the longest stretch of road in Alaska that you can travel in a substantially straight line.
Vehicle Type
Driving to Alaska is possible in different vehicles, ranging from large R.V.s to sedans and other modest autos. Because the Alcan and Cassiar Highways are both paved, you won’t have to worry about driving over challenging terrain. The Cassiar’s roadways are narrower than the Alcan’s, which could slow you down in traffic. You can use the Alaska Highway from the Lower 48 through Canada to drive your car or R.V. to Alaska. This journey may take some days and be an excellent complement to an Alaska road adventure.
Cell Coverage
There’s no cell service and no phones on the side of the road. So you’ll have to wait for the next car to see what happened before continuing your search for assistance. And the nearest hospital could be a 10-hour drive from your current location.
The Dangers of the Road
The road to Alaska is primarily a two-lane asphalt paved road with a gravel shoulder wide enough for a regular vehicle. However, there are still rough places, big bumps, and summer construction to be mindful of, but the traffic is light, passing is not a problem. On each side of the road, there aren’t usually signs or red markers to highlight unsafe driving conditions. There’s also the possibility of encountering animals on the route. Many parts of the road are nearly empty, with only a few automobiles going by every few minutes or so. That means animals have no qualms about eating grass near the street or even crossing it. When going to Alaska, the roads you’ll encounter are seriously affected by the season. Because there will be no ice or snow, you can move in late spring or early summer. Many businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and even petrol stations, are closed during the winter months when tourism is low. Make sure you know what’s open if you’re driving in the winter. When traveling in the winter, be prepared for ice and snowy situations. Studded tires are permitted only between September and May 1. Keep your headlights on, drive slowly, and leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. During winter Alaska’s major highways and roads are maintained, but some of the state’s more isolated roads are not.
Safety and Convenience
On a long journey, you should drive for 12 to 14 hours in a day if you’re driving throughout the day after a good night’s sleep. However, 3 or 4 hours may be too long if you drive a car late at night after a long day at work. A recent study recommends a maximum sleep time of 9 to 10 hours. Because a journey to Alaska from any place in the lower 48 states takes at least 48 hours, it’s a good idea to make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition. Carrying extra gas is pointless. Many gas stations along the road to Alaska are old-fashioned, with no card readers, necessitating that they stay open when people need petrol.
If you’re planning to ship a car to or from Alaska you need a reliable auto transport company that you can rely on. For several years, Tempus Logix has been providing safe and reliable auto transport for both individual and business clients.
You can get a free quote for your car shipment by our car shipping quote calculator.