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Hi gang, so I've been doing my research and also searches for "moving to Fairbanks" threads and tons came up that I have to sift through, but none of them have the collective answers I'm looking for. While I'm still thinking about it, if you can all help me out with answers to the questions below, it will help me make an informed decision. So here goes...
1) When is the best time of the year (ideally) to move to Fairbanks, can you give a 2-4 month range or season? I realize I should know when the extreme cold months are, but I really know nothing about living up there, so this would be a good start.
2) Best way to transport cars to Fairbanks? I've seen in the threads ferry, freight, etc. I have a separate question below about driving below.
3) What is the best (meaning direct route) of driving to Fairbanks from the lower 48? I'd be leaving from Illinois, but I assume I will have to go up through Washington state into Canada, etc.? Are there hazards to consider (which is my first question related to weather), such as mountain passes, terrains, or are there primarily flat routes, are there checkpoints to go through, etc. I know this sounds silly because I realize there are highway systems but I really don't know what I'd be up against.
Like I said I have tons of threads to go through in this forum, some of them years old, about housing, winterizing cars, etc., but my primary questions right now is actually about how to go about moving up there, and the best approach to do so.
If there is anything I missed or need to consider besides these questions (I'm sure there are), again primarily about moving, please feel free to add. Thank you very much in advance!
Hi gang, so I've been doing my research and also searches for "moving to Fairbanks" threads and tons came up that I have to sift through, but none of them have the collective answers I'm looking for. While I'm still thinking about it, if you can all help me out with answers to the questions below, it will help me make an informed decision. So here goes...
1) When is the best time of the year (ideally) to move to Fairbanks, can you give a 2-4 month range or season? I realize I should know when the extreme cold months are, but I really know nothing about living up there, so this would be a good start.
2) Best way to transport cars to Fairbanks? I've seen in the threads ferry, freight, etc. I have a separate question below about driving below.
3) What is the best (meaning direct route) of driving to Fairbanks from the lower 48? I'd be leaving from Illinois, but I assume I will have to go up through Washington state into Canada, etc.? Are there hazards to consider (which is my first question related to weather), such as mountain passes, terrains, or are there primarily flat routes, are there checkpoints to go through, etc. I know this sounds silly because I realize there are highway systems but I really don't know what I'd be up against.
Like I said I have tons of threads to go through in this forum, some of them years old, about housing, winterizing cars, etc., but my primary questions right now is actually about how to go about moving up there, and the best approach to do so.
If there is anything I missed or need to consider besides these questions (I'm sure there are), again primarily about moving, please feel free to add. Thank you very much in advance!
Re ferry: Taking the AMHS ferry out of Bellingham WA all the way to Haines, then driving north to Fairbanks is certainly viable. I've opted for the ferry over driving, but I had relocation benefits that defrayed the cost. The trip is a great way to see AK's beautiful coast that isn't accessible by any road. Most of the route is calm and sheltered, but the Gulf crossing can be rough at any time of year. Obviously, you'd need to pay the vehicle passage and passenger fares, but you won't be paying extra lodging for those few nights, you aren't putting those miles on your car, and you can sit and watch the scenery go past instead of gripping a steering wheel for an extra 1000+ miles. Ferries run more frequently spring to fall and schedules fill up fast in spring for vehicle bookings so the timing will be influenced by that.
I haven't driven to AK from the US midwest. The drive is certainly more civilized than it used to be but there will still be long sections without services (gas, lodging, roadside assistance) to plan for. Your car will be exposed to the usual highway hazards along the way; rock chips, collisions with wildlife, mechanical breakdowns, etc. US/CA border crossing restrictions change a lot. Up to you to check for the most current requirements regarding pets, firearms, necessary documentation, Covid-19, etc. I wouldn't want to make that trip in winter though I know people do.
While there are older threads about making the trip on C-D, remember they're old and they're anecdotes. Things change. I'd take them with a grain of salt.
If you are in contact with other university employees put a request out for folks who made the move up from the south 48. They may have valuable tips to share.
Hi gang, so I've been doing my research and also searches for "moving to Fairbanks" threads and tons came up that I have to sift through, but none of them have the collective answers I'm looking for. While I'm still thinking about it, if you can all help me out with answers to the questions below, it will help me make an informed decision. So here goes...
1) When is the best time of the year (ideally) to move to Fairbanks, can you give a 2-4 month range or season? I realize I should know when the extreme cold months are, but I really know nothing about living up there, so this would be a good start.
2) Best way to transport cars to Fairbanks? I've seen in the threads ferry, freight, etc. I have a separate question below about driving below.
3) What is the best (meaning direct route) of driving to Fairbanks from the lower 48? I'd be leaving from Illinois, but I assume I will have to go up through Washington state into Canada, etc.? Are there hazards to consider (which is my first question related to weather), such as mountain passes, terrains, or are there primarily flat routes, are there checkpoints to go through, etc. I know this sounds silly because I realize there are highway systems but I really don't know what I'd be up against.
Like I said I have tons of threads to go through in this forum, some of them years old, about housing, winterizing cars, etc., but my primary questions right now is actually about how to go about moving up there, and the best approach to do so.
If there is anything I missed or need to consider besides these questions (I'm sure there are), again primarily about moving, please feel free to add. Thank you very much in advance!
If you are leaving from Illinois, going to Washington state and then into Canada would take you way out of your way. Have you glanced at all at a road atlas? They still exist. If you consult an atlas, you will see your most direct route from Illinois takes you up through North Dakota and across the border into Saskatchewan. You'll keep driving to the northwest and end up in Edmonton. From Edmonton, you continue to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, where you pick up the Alaska Highway, which takes you to Fairbanks.
Road conditions from wherever you are to Dawson Creek do not really change. The quality of the roads is essentially the same and driving conditions from Illinois to Edmonton are the same on both sides of the border. One difference is that Illinois is positively mountainous compared to the parts of North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Alberta you would cross getting to Edmonton. Of course, there will be a checkpoint at the US/Canada border. You will be entering another country. There will be another checkpoint on the Alaska Highway when you leave the Yukon to enter Alaska. You will be crossing back into the United States.
As for terrain, road conditions, considerations and so on for driving the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek to Fairbanks, there is lots of information online. Not to say, you won't have to sift through older info to get current info, but it is there. When you search for information, search for The Milepost. This is the quintessential publication for northern travelers. Among other things, it contains detailed information on driving the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek onward. You will probably find it helpful, if not indispensable. I'm sure other posters will be able to address some of your specifics about relocating.
1) When is the best time of the year (ideally) to move to Fairbanks, can you give a 2-4 month range or season? I realize I should know when the extreme cold months are, but I really know nothing about living up there, so this would be a good start.
The coldest months by far are December-February. That's when you get those -40 temps and near round-the-clock darkness that make driving more dangerous.
Another possible consideration is that peak season prices for hotels (June-Aug) and the like can be double what they are during the shoulder season and off-season.
Quote:
2) Best way to transport cars to Fairbanks? I've seen in the threads ferry, freight, etc. I have a separate question below about driving below.
The most cost-effective way to transport them is to just drive them yourself. It's you and your spouse, right? Would you be taking more than two cars? If for whatever reason you can't or don't want to drive the cars, the next best option is to just hire a car shipping company. Shop around because some of them are going to try to fleece you.
Quote:
3) What is the best (meaning direct route) of driving to Fairbanks from the lower 48? I'd be leaving from Illinois, but I assume I will have to go up through Washington state into Canada, etc.? Are there hazards to consider (which is my first question related to weather), such as mountain passes, terrains, or are there primarily flat routes, are there checkpoints to go through, etc. I know this sounds silly because I realize there are highway systems but I really don't know what I'd be up against.
You don't have to drive to Washington before heading north. You can cross into Canada from one of the midwestern border crossings and head up toward Alaska in a generally diagonal direction.
At the border crossings you need to have passports or passport cards for everyone, and you and your vehicle are subject to search. People with criminal offenses including DUIs are generally not allowed to cross into Canada in a vehicle even if they're not the ones driving and even if the offense is old. Be careful not to have anything against Canadian law in the vehicle - note that this includes many weapons that are legal in the US - and carry things like prescriptions for any controlled meds, etc. Pets need health certificates from a vet. Minors need proof that you have custody of them. They don't always ask for all these things but they can. Not sure what the Covid rules are nowadays - I haven't driven this route since before the pandemic.
The roads are basically normal roads but you can expect very wintry conditions if it's that season, as as you go further north the days get shorter and shorter in winter or longer and longer in summer. Much of the drive is very rural and you can sometimes spend a lot of time alone, and a lot of time far from emergency services or repair options, so make sure you have survival gear for the season in your vehicle in case you have to sit for a while due to accident, injury, breakdown, etc. IMO the only really hairy bits are some parts of the Canadian Rockies, and Destruction Bay right before crossing into Alaska, if the weather is good.
As someone above said, get a copy of The Milepost. It lists services, businesses, points of interest, etc. mile by mile and is super useful.
Personally I only recommend the ferry if you have money to burn (or someone else is paying for your relo) or if it's the dead of winter, or if Canada won't let you cross over. If it's the dead of winter, it's simply safer to avoid high latitudes and isolation. If you're not allowed in Canada, taking the ferry lets you skip the Canadian portion of the drive. And if someone else is paying, the ferry is just more fun. But it's expensive and it takes a long time (do the first bit of the "book now" option without checking out, and you can estimate your cost: https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/index.shtml ). And if you imagine a right triangle with the right angle corner on Washington state, you're basically going the two legs of the triangle rather than the hypotenuse, so it's a longer journey than driving directly.
One thing you really need to consider is how much stuff you're bringing. Consider selling anything readily replaceable, maybe storing things if you aren't committed to moving to AK permanently, and whittling your stuff down to what fits in your vehicle and/or what you can mail to yourself. A moving "pod" is another option that a lot of people use. If you do have a vehicle shipped up you can usually fill it with your stuff at little to no extra cost, too. Flying up and having your stuff shipped is a real option as well. This can vary from more affordable (if you have minimal stuff) to insanely expensive (if you're trying to transport a large household) so whether it's a good option depends on you.
The coldest months by far are December-February. That's when you get those -40 temps and near round-the-clock darkness that make driving more dangerous.
Another possible consideration is that peak season prices for hotels (June-Aug) and the like can be double what they are during the shoulder season and off-season.
The most cost-effective way to transport them is to just drive them yourself. It's you and your spouse, right? Would you be taking more than two cars? If for whatever reason you can't or don't want to drive the cars, the next best option is to just hire a car shipping company. Shop around because some of them are going to try to fleece you.
You don't have to drive to Washington before heading north. You can cross into Canada from one of the midwestern border crossings and head up toward Alaska in a generally diagonal direction.
At the border crossings you need to have passports or passport cards for everyone, and you and your vehicle are subject to search. People with criminal offenses including DUIs are generally not allowed to cross into Canada in a vehicle even if they're not the ones driving and even if the offense is old. Be careful not to have anything against Canadian law in the vehicle - note that this includes many weapons that are legal in the US - and carry things like prescriptions for any controlled meds, etc. Pets need health certificates from a vet. Minors need proof that you have custody of them. They don't always ask for all these things but they can. Not sure what the Covid rules are nowadays - I haven't driven this route since before the pandemic.
The roads are basically normal roads but you can expect very wintry conditions if it's that season, as as you go further north the days get shorter and shorter in winter or longer and longer in summer. Much of the drive is very rural and you can sometimes spend a lot of time alone, and a lot of time far from emergency services or repair options, so make sure you have survival gear for the season in your vehicle in case you have to sit for a while due to accident, injury, breakdown, etc. IMO the only really hairy bits are some parts of the Canadian Rockies, and Destruction Bay right before crossing into Alaska, if the weather is good.
As someone above said, get a copy of The Milepost. It lists services, businesses, points of interest, etc. mile by mile and is super useful.
Personally I only recommend the ferry if you have money to burn (or someone else is paying for your relo) or if it's the dead of winter, or if Canada won't let you cross over. If it's the dead of winter, it's simply safer to avoid high latitudes and isolation. If you're not allowed in Canada, taking the ferry lets you skip the Canadian portion of the drive. And if someone else is paying, the ferry is just more fun. But it's expensive and it takes a long time (do the first bit of the "book now" option without checking out, and you can estimate your cost: https://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/index.shtml ). And if you imagine a right triangle with the right angle corner on Washington state, you're basically going the two legs of the triangle rather than the hypotenuse, so it's a longer journey than driving directly.
One thing you really need to consider is how much stuff you're bringing. Consider selling anything readily replaceable, maybe storing things if you aren't committed to moving to AK permanently, and whittling your stuff down to what fits in your vehicle and/or what you can mail to yourself. A moving "pod" is another option that a lot of people use. If you do have a vehicle shipped up you can usually fill it with your stuff at little to no extra cost, too. Flying up and having your stuff shipped is a real option as well. This can vary from more affordable (if you have minimal stuff) to insanely expensive (if you're trying to transport a large household) so whether it's a good option depends on you.
You don’t need a passport or passport card though that does speed things up. You can use just your drivers license AND birth certificate as ID for crossing both borders.
If you are trying to skirt driving through Canada the ferry may not be an option. They discontinued the cross gulf ferry runs this summer and they may continue that through the winter. That means you can only go as far as Haines which would still require going into Canada to complete the journey north.
If you are leaving from Illinois, going to Washington state and then into Canada would take you way out of your way. Have you glanced at all at a road atlas? They still exist. If you consult an atlas, you will see your most direct route from Illinois takes you up through North Dakota and across the border into Saskatchewan. You'll keep driving to the northwest and end up in Edmonton. From Edmonton, you continue to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, where you pick up the Alaska Highway, which takes you to Fairbanks.
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Originally Posted by Frostnip
As someone above said, get a copy of The Milepost. It lists services, businesses, points of interest, etc. mile by mile and is super useful.
^This. From where you are at, up through North Dakota, Edmonton and then hit the Alaska Highway at Dawson Creek.
Buy a copy of the Milepost, it's the bible of traveling to and around Alaska.
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