Falcon@112, 2019 Alaska trip

A update on planning this trip. I have put a lot of time into planning this trip. 

We plan to leave from Southern Illinois the last week of May 2019. Going near Sioux City, Iowa for a few days. Then up to I-90 South Dakota west, stopping along the way, including the Badlands. West to Redwood forest, again many camping stops along the way. Then north to Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Hot Springs. carry to Victoria for a few days. Then Farry to Van Couver.   99 & 97 Up to Prince George. Then 16 to 37 near Watson Lake.  Than 1 Northwest to Tok then to Palmer where we will spend 5 days, exploring. The 3 days @ Denali then 5 days around Fairbanks. Then 1 back to Watson Lake, & 97 to Dawson Creek & Grande Prairie then 40 to Hinton. Then 93 to Jasper & Calgary. South on 2 to Glacier/ St. Mary's. Then to Great Falls & Butte, then east on I-90/ I-94 camping along the way to Fargo, ND. We have other stops before returning to Southern Illinois. We should be back by mid August  

I have already made reservations @ many campgrounds along the way. 

Please contact us if interested it traveling along!!!

Mel

Mel,

We drove to Alaska from Southern California this past May.  We never made a reservation ahead of time and always found a place to stay.  Some places were bare essentials but they worked.  Best advice I can give is don't drive fast.  Don't follow to close, lots of chipped windshields happen up there.  The road surface is wavy and our motorhome rocked sideways a lot.  The roads are good for the most part and there is always construction that will have you waiting some.  There is good control of drivers through the construction zones with pilot cars escorting traffic both ways.  Don't miss the Alcan highway museum in Dawson Creek.  Gas is more expensive in BC and the Yukon.  It is good to have a dash cam if you can set one up.

Good luck,

Joe

Thanks for the info.  I have a diesel, Ram 1500 V-6, 24 gallon tank, was going to install a extra 50 gallon tank in bed. Any idea what diesel cost up their?  I have purchased a windshield repair kit, 3M brand. 

Still interested in others that would like to tag along!!  Or suggestion for the trip. Have been reading other blogs, found several good ideas. 

Thanks

Mel

I don't remember exactly what diesel cost but it was higher than regular gas. Average was about 50 cents more per gallon.  Lots of apps can tell you ahead of time where the cheaper fuel is.  I tried to keep a half tank at all times.  Partly because some pumps shut off at $100.00 and I don't want to repeat the process.  Half of a tank for me is 40 gallons.  So don't pass up an opportunity to keep it half full.

Thanks, for the info. We are planning to stop in Dawson Ceeek. Still looking for people going this year. 

Thought I would post an update. We have changed the route, a little!!  Due to the rain & snow in the north & north west, I checking those roads for any problems. Using AAA for suggestions  

The biggest change, from Victoria we will travel north/west to Port Hardy. Take a Ferry  to Port Rupert. Then connect to our original route. This 10 hour Ferry ride, will save me about 3 days of driving.

I have contacted a Travel Agency, Knightly Tours, the put together a Custom day by day tours for our time, about 3 weeks. I think this is going to work our great for us. 

I had a problem getting camp site in Jasper, BC. Looks like they have several camp sites/grounds under construction or closed for a time this summer. 

We are know about 6 weeks from leaving, so it is getting real. Almost every day thinking, what am I missing for this adventure!,,,

More as we get closer.

I'm leaving the second week of June to head for Anchorage. I travel with a Bassett and might take my 7 yr old grandson. An y suggestions for must see attractions.

I drive a 34' DP and tow a jeep.

Thanks

Jackie

Am interested in joining up, will be heading that way in mid june from Portland OR area. my email is mstumpf123@gmail.com.

On 9/27/2018 at 10:56 AM, Falcon@112 said:

A update on planning this trip. I have put a lot of time into planning this trip. 

We plan to leave from Southern Illinois the last week of May 2019. Going near Sioux City, Iowa for a few days. Then up to I-90 South Dakota west, stopping along the way, including the Badlands. West to Redwood forest, again many camping stops along the way. Then north to Olympic National Park, Sol Duc Hot Springs. carry to Victoria for a few days. Then Farry to Van Couver.   99 & 97 Up to Prince George. Then 16 to 37 near Watson Lake.  Than 1 Northwest to Tok then to Palmer where we will spend 5 days, exploring. The 3 days @ Denali then 5 days around Fairbanks. Then 1 back to Watson Lake, & 97 to Dawson Creek & Grande Prairie then 40 to Hinton. Then 93 to Jasper & Calgary. South on 2 to Glacier/ St. Mary's. Then to Great Falls & Butte, then east on I-90/ I-94 camping along the way to Fargo, ND. We have other stops before returning to Southern Illinois. We should be back by mid August  

I have already made reservations @ many campgrounds along the way. 

Please contact us if interested it traveling along!!!

Mel

do you have timings for highlighted section??

Enjoy the trip. Did this twice, 2003 and 2016 towing big 5th wheel both times.  Take your time and enjoy the journey...the best part. Given your starting point i'm surprised that you don't make the ferry trip on the way home then do the California loop on the way back.  We came home crossing the east route at Sweet Grass Montana, it's just a choice.  We started in So Cal near Palm Springs.  First trip we ferried from Prince Rupert down to Port Hardy and traveled the island south.  It was a welcome break after all the driving while headed home.  If you have time try and check out the Kenai Peninsula.  The drive is beautiful and The trip from Soldotna to Homer is nice.  If I ever make the trip again I will home base in Soldotna and salmon fish till my arms will no longer function.  Good and safe travels!  Watch the roads north of Whitehorse in the YT. They can be un-predictable.  Un-matched beauty abounds, more than anywhere I have ever been.

 

Rick