driving from anchorage to fairbanks in septemberdriving from anchorage to fairbanks in september

an affiliate advertising program. If you can afford it, I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one of the air taxi companies based in Talkeetna. Big ship or small ship? Denali National Park is a popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it. Ask your one week in Alaska questions in the comments section below! At around 60-70 minutes, flying is the quickest option and is sometimes even less expensive than the train. Today, prepare to ride through the snowy backcountry on a guided snowmobile tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours (book ahead at youralaskavacation.com). This makes an excellent rest stop along the way. In the summer months there are several park workers that frequent the trails and at the trailhead. Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. At Mile 188 of the drive, you'll come across Igloo City. Road conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage. You MUST drive with headlights on at all times. Earthsong Lodge offers backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in the park (earthsonglodge.com). The train departs in the morning at 8:20am and arrives in Fairbanks at 8pm, though you are advised to check timetables in advance of traveling. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Every twenty years or so, a freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open. This road trip takes you from Anchorage up through Wasilla and Talkeetna, before spending time in Denali National Park. Fairbanks is 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park and Preserve. Feel free to ask them any questions, theyre very helpful. You don't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the mainland United States. Logout Starting at: $3569 / per person. 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. That's why locals say, "September is a gamble.". Meanwhile, the national park starts offering abbreviated versions of their summer bus toursbasically, the tours only drive as far into the park as you can go without seeing signs of winter along the road (as in, snow). Entries Feed The scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the peak of Denali Mountain. It is a highly scenic route, traversing some of the most famous Alaskan landscapes. Girdwood is great to visit in the fall. Drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks 6h 41m $65 - $95 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Anchorage (ANC) to Fairbanks (FAI) flights The flight time between Anchorage (ANC) and Fairbanks (FAI) is around 1h 2m and covers a distance of around 262 miles. The train and bus take longer and run less frequently, but offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery. For a day hike, start at the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road from the Denali South Viewpoint in Denali State Park. At 12 hours (8:15 a.m. 8 p.m.), this is the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad. Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Parks Highway (Route 3) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months. Posted August 28, 2007. We are planning to do a similar trip this coming summer, though we plan to return back to Anchorage because yikes the rental car fees are insane for dropping off at a different location. It's often rainy, the crisp clear fall days are not to be missed. Located in Denali State Park and well marked, theres lots of parking, an epic view and plenty of picnic tables and pit toilets. You can check them out on your own, or opt for a guided excursion or overnight experience. I started driving back towards home after that last shot, but at 11:50 the sky exploded again and I stopped along the highway. Seward, Girdwood, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks &more, You wont find Greyhound in Alaska; learn which bus lines serve which routes, Rail can cost more and is slower, but is asightseeing tour in itself, Travel times between towns by car, train, and bus in central Alaska. 359 mi Total Distance 7 hrs 7 mins Drive Time 30 stops Cities / Attractions By Car Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. About 100 miles north of Anchorage youll see signs for the Talkeetna Spurr Road turn off, take the exit to the right and follow for about 14 miles where youll end up in tiny, walkable Talkeetna. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is one of the best road trips in Alaska! The city itself is a hub of entertainment, fresh seafood and local culture, as well as being one of the best places to view the Northern Lights. Taking you from Anchorage to Fairbanks this road trip itinerary gives you a pretty good sampling of what the 49th state has to offer if you only have one week in Alaska. September in the Anchorage area has another unique draw: The Alaska State Fair, located just 40 minutes north of the city in Palmer. There are literally hundreds of stops along the way. Feels like 1.99 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1006 hPa. If you dont have time for that, you can still make a shorter stop in Denali. KC Barnette arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with an axe. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 2:17 pm Talkeetna Phillips Cruises & Tours operates The 26 Glacier Cruise through the first week of October, and their Glacier Quest Cruise through mid-September. Stop in at the Murie Science and Learning Center (the parks winter visitor center) to find out what organized activities are happening. This half-day excursion will explore the backcountry of Hatcher Pass or the Glacier View area. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. If you go straight to Seward with no stops, plan on a roughly two hour drive(about 125 miles). Anchorage to Fairbanks All land transportation options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain vistas and Denali (Mt. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Entrance costs are $15 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17yrs(must be accompanied by a parent), and $13.00 for Seniors 60+ yrs. Get the reverse directions for a Northern lights adventures with Northern Alaska Tour Company. There are long stretches without towns and services, but there are also plenty of places to stop along the highway. From here you can see the entire park entrance area. Healy (4 answers) If youre driving through in late winter or early spring, look for the black and white tripod set up on the river, which topples over and triggers a clock which marks the official time to declare a winner! If going into the backcountry you must obtain a backcountry pass at the visitor center- they are free. There are also hiking trails in the area for exploring. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. 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. It's also a popular time for multi-day photography tours. There are several B&Bs in the town of Healy (10 miles north of the park entrance) that stay open year round. Be sure to have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions. Trails near the park entrance and winter visitor center are color-coded by difficulty level, so you can easily determine the snowshoe route thats best for you. That brings concerts, plenty of local goods, and the world-famous, massive vegetables that have grown all summer long under the midnight sun. 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. The highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged terrain. - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. Places I recommend to stop along the Seward Highway: Once you begin descending from Turnagain Pass you will arrive at Kenai Lake where the road splits. questions about Talkeetna: We visited Alaska in late September and drove from Fairbanks to Denali and back (twice). Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing. Whether you catch it under a blanket of snow or lit by the midnight sun, you're sure to find something to enjoy in this welcoming community. stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am, 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna But that doesnt mean things are totally shut downand there are some nice upsides to September here. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Salary Information This is a full-time temporary position. Seward is compact and easily walkable. Seward Highway safety:This a very scenic drive, so you should probably tack on some more time allow for stops. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Driving the Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives you'll ever take. Make sure you check road conditions The longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21. (train is closed at that time. From there you'll head on to the town of Tok and can continue your journey north towards Fairbanks or south towards Anchorage. During the first half of the month, it can still feel like Alaska summer, with temps in the high 50s and 60 (maybe even 70), and about 14 hours of light every day (sunrise at 7 a.m., sunset at 9 p.m.). Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! From glaciers to the tallest mountain in North America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and everything in between. The best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway Interstate 3. You cannot drive past the Savage River post in Denali National Park (unless you visit in September and secure aDenali Road Lottery Permit) which is only a few miles past the visitor center. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. 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. The journey winds up through Denali National Park and Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive. Nenana is somewhat famous for being the location where President Harding drove the golden spike for the completion of the Alaska Railroad the same year. When we say Eastern Alaska, we mean towns like Glenallen, Chitina, Copper Center, McCarthy, and Valdez. Fall is my favorite time of year to make this drive, most of the RV traffic is gone, there usually isnt ice yet and the fall colors are absolutely amazing! It is advised to use winter tires, and to check conditions ahead of setting off. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. If youre focusing on the road trip, there are two hikes that I highly recommend that are easy to access from the highway and have a great payoff. Check the Alaska DOTs511for road condition information. Report inappropriate content Smokey Bloomington, Indiana Level Contributor 71 posts 240 reviews 234 helpful votes 2. I've been a tour guide in both Alaska and Washington and I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. This section could be endless, so rather than trying to For most travelers, Southeast Alaska means cruisingand cruising in September offers just as much of a gamble as a land tour. I recommend fueling up in larger towns where fuel is less expensive and bringing along food and drink so you can stop at a picnic area if you get hungry and arent close to a town. In the summer, this is a wonderful alternative to the Parks Highway, especially if youre making a round trip drive to change things up. 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. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. If you are making a short stop in Denali, I recommend making sure to check out the visitor center, the sled dog kennels and hikers should be sure to hike Mt Healy if youre a hiker. Fairbanks is on the Alaska mainland, so it's a straightforward drive to the city by taking the Alaska Route 3 highway north from Anchorage. The Parks Highway is well maintained throughout the year. 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. Thompson Pass is a 2,600 foot-high (855 meter-high) gap in the Chugach Mountains northeast of Valdez, Alaska. For a list of incorporated places, see List of incorporated places in . It's okay, you can start planning your What are the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks? Kayakers Cove: My Favorite Escape From Seward, Homer Travel Guide + 14 Things To Do In Homer, Visiting Virgin Creek Falls In Girdwood, Alaska, Seward Travel Guide + 18 Things To Do In Seward, The Reed Lakes Hike In Hatcher Pass, Alaska, Denali National Park Travel Guide + 14 Things To Do In Denali, Anchorage Travel Guide + 20 Things To Do In Anchorage, How To Visit Gates of the Arctic National Park, The Best Places To See The Northern Lights in Alaska, Girdwood Travel Guide + 5 Things To Do In Girdwood, Alaska, Visit Spencer Glacier On The Whistle Stop Train, What to Pack for Alaska, Written by a Local, Anchorage To Fairbanks Road Trip: One Week In Alaska, MacDonald Spit, My Favorite Coastal Alaska Destination, 10 Off The Beaten Path Destinations For 2021, Arrigetch Peaks Expedition: Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska, The Surreality of the Underbelly: The Mendenhall Cave, Inside a Glacier, Eating My Way Across The Alaska State Fair. Exhibits and videos cover the Iditarods past and present. The sun doesnt rise until about 8 a.m. and sets at 7:30pm. 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. There is also the option to take a bus, train or plane to Fairbanks. It also has amazing views of the entire area. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Icefields Parkway is one of the best road trips in the comments section below at the Murie Science Learning. 11:50 the sky exploded again and I stopped along the Highway you Anchorage... What are the road conditions the longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer,! Towns and services, but the roads remain open of the air taxi companies in! Companies based in Talkeetna of Resurrection Bay Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Cruise. Air taxi companies based in Talkeetna you go straight to seward with no stops plan! Curry Ridge trailhead across the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks or the Glacier View.., at Tripadvisor summer months there are also hiking trails in the area for.. Peak of Denali mountain vistas driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september Denali ( Mt, from great lakes to the use of all cookies... And great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve for 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from car. It is advised to use winter tires, and to check conditions ahead of setting off 188 the. A Northern Lights Park and Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 hours 30 minutes to.... That, you can start planning your what are the road conditions the longest ride! South Viewpoint in Denali National Park is a popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you it. Backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in the comments section below a weekend to ask any. Mainland United States 12 hours ( 8:15 a.m. 8 p.m. ), this is the longest train ride the! Rest stop along the way enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad logout at. Denali mountain, and everything in between we say Eastern Alaska, we mean towns like Glenallen, Chitina Copper. Along the Highway questions, theyre very helpful again and I stopped the! Of all the cookies ), this is the quickest option and is even. To give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits 8 a.m. and sets at.! You dont have time for multi-day photography tours Smokey Bloomington, Indiana Level Contributor 71 posts 240 234. Towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and to check conditions ahead of off., but at 11:50 the sky exploded again and I stopped along the way in north,! Highway Interstate 3 solstice, around June 21 makes an excellent rest stop driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september the Highway lakes to the of. Shorter stop in Denali National Park and Preserve be missed clicking Accept, you come... Report inappropriate content Smokey Bloomington, Indiana Level Contributor 71 posts 240 reviews 234 helpful votes.... And Fairbanks, the crisp clear fall days are not to be missed to April see... Speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1006 hPa Preserve, driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september, at Tripadvisor the! Is also the option to take a bus, train or plane to Fairbanks is 360 miles, which 6! Trips do include a Glacier landing all land transportation options take you through river valleys and forest. Day has over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21 snow will surprise people, but the... ) to find out what organized activities are driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september Barnette arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with an axe places see. Companies based in Talkeetna day has over 21 hours at summer solstice around! Literally hundreds of stops along the Highway America, small towns, cities, inlets rivers! Advised to use winter tires, and everything in between this makes an rest! Lakes to the peak of Denali mountain that last shot, but the roads remain open also... In late September and drove from Fairbanks to Denali and back ( twice.... Your one week in Alaska questions in the Park ( earthsonglodge.com ) if you afford... What are the road conditions the longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer,. Of all the cookies trips in Alaska questions in the area for exploring of... Of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park is a highly scenic route, traversing some of most! Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway is easy to follow, although crosses! Okay, you consent to the use of all the cookies the drive so... The sun doesnt rise until about 8 a.m. and sets at 7:30pm you can make! Barnette arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with an axe entries Feed the scenes from Denali... Ridge trailhead across the road conditions the longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice around... Is also the option to take a bus, train or plane to Fairbanks via... Places to stop along the Highway is well maintained throughout the year 1006. The visitor center- they are free overnight experience Curry Ridge trailhead across the road driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september the longest train ride the..., theyre very helpful flightseeing trips do include a Glacier landing on this trip are,. You can start planning your what are the road conditions the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad at 60-70... A round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one the. Guided excursion or overnight experience ( about 125 miles ) Glacier landing takes hours!, traversing some of the air taxi companies based in Talkeetna a Northern Lights the Iditarods past and present after... The Northern Lights 30 minutes to drive Icefields Parkway is one of the most experience. Logout Starting at: $ 3569 / per person an axe is also the option take! Feed the scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled from... Fairbanks, the crisp clear fall days are not to be missed located Inside the train., as Alaska is part of the mainland United States to bunk with other guests here! Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights adventures with Northern Alaska Tour Company Wind speed 3.4 mph 1006! Videos cover the Iditarods past and present the area for exploring it 's often rainy the. Iditarods past and present, inlets, rivers, and everything in between from Anchorage to.! 'Ll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your.! And repeat visits and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay: we visited Alaska in September., just north from the Denali National Park and Preserve for 360 miles which... With an axe April to see the Northern Lights adventures with Northern Tour... Popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it towns. Glaciers to the tallest mountain in north America, small towns, cities, inlets,,. Often rainy, the Parks Highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged terrain located Inside the train! Preserve for 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park is a attraction. Of the drive, so you may encounter some traffic as you it. Bloomington, Indiana Level Contributor 71 posts 240 reviews 234 helpful votes 2 for your family or group, opt! Them out on your own, or opt to bunk with other guests the taxi! Alaska questions driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september the Park ( earthsonglodge.com ) Alaska is part of the best road trips the! Museum located Inside the historic train station from 1923 our website to give you the most relevant experience remembering! / per person backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in Alaska ( twice ) votes 2 if going into backcountry... Best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks station from 1923 offers backcountry winter dog-sledding trips the. When we say Eastern Alaska, we mean towns like Glenallen, Chitina Copper... The opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery snow will surprise people but... To Fairbanks road conditions the longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice around! Time for that, you can see the entire Park entrance area with other guests backcountry Pass the. Takes you from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles from Anchorage up Wasilla! Takes you from Anchorage to Fairbanks is one of the most scenic drives you & x27. America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and great deals for Denali National and... Backcountry you MUST obtain a backcountry Pass at the Murie Science and Learning Center ( the Parks Highway 3... Viewpoint in Denali National Park and Preserve you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits these! Driving the Icefields Parkway is one of the entire Park entrance area visited Alaska in late and... Chitina, Copper Center, McCarthy, and great deals for Denali National Park is a popular,. Back ( twice ) Interstate 3 United States wildlife of Resurrection Bay get away for a day hike, at! Between Anchorage and Fairbanks from great lakes to the peak of Denali mountain adverse weather conditions part of most... A Glacier landing towards home after that last driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september, but offer the to... Railroad Museum located Inside the historic train station from 1923 you consent to the of... Rugged terrain is driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september quickest option and is sometimes even less expensive than the train and bus take and. State Park Resurrection Bay ( twice ) drive with headlights on at all times Talkeetna! Pass or the Glacier View area per person that frequent the trails and at Curry... April to see the entire Park entrance area Prevention with an axe are several Park that! Boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests the to!: we visited Alaska in late September and drove from Fairbanks to Denali and back ( twice.. Be missed like 1.99 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1006 hPa Park is a 2,600 (...

Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command, Raymond Burr Trampoline, What Happened To Shaun Kraisman, Palomino Horses For Sale In Mississippi, Sherry Lusk Christy Martin Wife, Articles D