Getting ready to make the trip!!!!! (Anchorage, Soldotna: safe, moving to, best)

[desflurane]

I posted in spring about moving to Soldotna Alaska, it has arrived!! I did the ABF-move it yourself that someone from this site recommended, wasn't too bad at all. I am leaving Virginia on Thursday. I am planning on picking up a GPS but wanted to ask---how long driving a good portion of the day without killing yourself do you think it will take from VA to Anchorage?

[Rance]

I drove 600 to 900 miles a day on my last trip up from Minnesota. Took me 4 1/2 days stopping and getting a room every night. You might add 2 or 3 days to that.

[Barkingowl]

The only bad part about the relocubes is that sometimes you have to wait forever for ABF to come out & pick then back up. Other than that they are great. Have a safe trip up!

[MissingAll4Seasons]

Figure that you'll average 100 miles every two hours, regardless of what speed you're driving, it never seems to get much better than this. Depending on what route you're taking the mileage may differ, but you can break that mileage down to hours and then say, not drive more than 12-18 hours a day (600-900 miles). When I drove from VA to WA it took me 3.5 (18-hr) days, and it took me a little under 4 (18-hr) days to make it from Seattle to Anchorage. If you went up through Canada and then west, instead of going west through US then up, you might shave a day or two off that.

Just keep in mind that I was driving hard and stopping only to empty my bladder, grab some take-out and fill-up in gas... with only about 4-5 hours of sleep a day. If want to drive a little easier, aren't used to long-distance highway travel, are traveling alone, etc you might want to reduce your drive time to no more than 12 hours a day.

[ltdontcare]

You might want to pick up a Rand McNally to keep the GPS honest...

[desflurane]

My mom sent me a AAA triptix and she has me going on avg 700 miles a day and getting to Anchorage in 7 days. I am going to use a GPS and see what the shortest route is. Any suggestions from you veterans about how I SHOULD NOT go...Anything to avoid?

[warptman]

Don't take the Cassiar, you'd like the Alcan from the eastern entrance. You can even go north into Saskatchewan on highway 16 across into Edmonton, Alberta and take that to Dawson Creek on Highway 43 which eventually turns into the Alcan Highway at mile 0. Make sure you get out every few hours to stretch and pull over and snooze if you wish in rest areas. Don't go on driving if you feel you have to sleep for a power nap, your eyes play games on you both day and night driving. Many times I've said to myself 'next rest area' and just about regretted saying that.

How to Drive to Alaska in the Summer - ExploreNorth

A Guide to the Alaska Highway (Alcan) - ExploreNorth

Alaska Highway Photo Album: Page 1, Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson - ExploreNorth (http://explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa111398.htm - broken link)

[MissingAll4Seasons]

And watch for deer and other wildlife on the roads at dawn and dusk... your eyes are already playing tricks on you as the light changes and critters'll just jump out of nowhere.

[HighlandLady]

Heed the advice of Warptman - he has traversed the Al-Can numerous times, his images of it are lovely. He definitely knows what there is to know!

[desflurane]

Thank you! My mom did the route that Warptman mentions, I think it may be the one. I am doing this with my best friend who is on mid tour from Iraq and my son. My friend has been through so much and I want some relaxing, breathtaking, views for her. My son will prob have his head down playing gameboy half of the trip. I am really nervous and excited, the people in Soldotna have been so wonderful. I will take pics, and if I come across internet along the way--check in and let you know my progress. This is a wonderful site and had made the anxiety of the unknown virtually zero as all of you have shared so much. thanks again!!!