Ive not personally done a Denali flightseeing tour yet, but I have yet to hear a bad thing about it from anyone whos done it. Keep sleeping bags in your car just in case. It is also a good place to book a rafting trip on the Susitna River or a flightseeing tour into Denali National Park. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? Anchorage Depot: 411 West 1st Avenue, 99501 Fairbanks Depot: 1745 Johansen Expressway, 99701 Depart Anchorage: 8:20 AM . The Adventures of Nicole is a participant in the Alaska's state capitol of Juneau is the only state capitol in the United States that you cannot drive to. Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to Fairbanks. The Nancy Lake Area is very popular with those who live in the Anchorage area, with plenty of cabins surrounding it. Taking a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is a fun adventure that takes you through many different climates and landscapes across Alaska. The train and bus take longer and run less frequently, but offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery. Continue on into the town of Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier. Construction and RV traffic can cause significant delays in places during the summer and winter driving can make it slow in winter depending on the conditions. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. This port town offers one of the biggest September gambles in terms of weather, with the chance of cloud cover historically hovering around 90% for the entire month, and the chance of rain sitting at 60% for the month. By car, Fairbanks is 7 to 8 hours from Anchorage, and only 45 minutes by air. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. View massive tidewater glaciers and keep an eye out for wildlife. Continue on AK-3 and take the Airport Way exit to arrive in Fairbanks. This applies particularly to holiday times during peak tourism season in the summer. How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Alaska? Weather pending, you can also enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of the month. Northwest Travel & Life Magazine represents trust and inspires a passion for Experiencing All Things Northwest., 2022 - Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters, Bellingham, Washington: Salish Sea Playground, A Craft Brew mecca: Kitsap Peninsula, Washington, Catch the Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks, Alaska. You also start seeing snow on the mountain tops, which we locals refer to as "Termination Dust." 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. For a list of incorporated places, see List of incorporated places in . Anchorage averages 78.8 inches of snow per year. Car, train, or group tour. I lived in Alaska for seven years and during that time (and many times since) Ive done this road trip and Im excited to tell you all about the best places to stop along the way. Entrance costs are $15 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17yrs(must be accompanied by a parent), and $13.00 for Seniors 60+ yrs. The complainant said that they were driving down Boniface and, as they attempted to turn, another vehicl, An Anchorage man is dead and a Palmer man is in custody following a road rage incident in the Willow area Sunday night.Gavin Christiansen, 38, of Palmer, was . Get to driving,Denali National Parksits about another 2.5 hours and 145 miles north along the Parks Highway. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Waking up near Denali brings a host of possibilities for the day, even in winter. And the color is gorgeous: youll see a nice mix of the bright yellow deciduous trees in the lower elevations near the park entrance, and as you get into the park and the tundra emerges, youll see a vibrant, deep red. The route is one of Alaskas most traveled highways, but during Alaskas long winter, its not for travelers unwilling to tackle winter driving conditions. Driving distances in Alaska can be long, and dont be surprised if you get caught up in construction, especially in the summer. A much quieter southern sky over the Alaska Highway, with an 8-second exposure. At an elevation of 2,400 feet, the highest point on the Parks Highway is Broad Pass. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. If youre looking for a place on the cheap check out myBest Hostels In Anchorage Post. Plan the number of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how much time you plan to spend at each stop. 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. Fairbanks is a gateway to the great Alaskan wilderness on its doorstep, such as the trails and wildlife of the Chena River State Recreation Area. National Park Pass holders just need to show their pass to get in. Thompson Pass is a 2,600 foot-high (855 meter-high) gap in the Chugach Mountains northeast of Valdez, Alaska. Looking for ideas? Talkeetna is a funky, fun, little Alaska town that at one point in time had a cat for a mayor (RIP Stubbs). most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Both are suitable for RVs as well as tents. You walk to the counter inside the airport (admittedly it's a long walk in Anchorage) and then walk directly out to the garage. The journey winds up through Denali National Park and Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive. But not always. A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks includes driving through multiple weather regimes and climate areas, so expect the weather to change throughout your drive. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. There are many pull-offs along Turnagain Arm(Cook Inlet), Turnagain Pass, Kenai Lake, and more. There are literally hundreds of stops along the way. In winter expect plenty of snow and ice. There are long stretches without towns and services, but there are also plenty of places to stop along the highway. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Pilots will not fly if weather conditions are poor or unstable. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. 11:00 am start in Anchoragedrive for about 55 minutes, 11:55 am Wasilla Learn how your comment data is processed. Alternatively, there are plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Make sure your tires are in good condition and carry chains with you just in case. Fairbanks is located just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Denali National Park is an obvious highlight on your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and often is the reason people take this road trip in the first place! Can I road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks year round? Make sure to watch your speed and keep your eyes on the sides of the road in addition to whats right in front of you so you dont miss any wildlife sightings and also so you dont get into a collision with a moose or other animal. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. Heading right will take you onto the Sterling Highway toward Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Homer. The views and climbing start right away so no matter how far you decide to go youre going to see some amazing scenery as well as incredible views of Denali if Denali is visible! Driving time in good conditions will take about seven hours, not including stops. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. You can borrow snowshoes free at the Murie Science and Learning Center. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Earthsong Lodge offers backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in the park (earthsonglodge.com). Any bus tours that might be open this early in the season on a Saturday afternoon? Updated March 2023,One Week in Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage to Fairbanksoriginally written in July 2017. Healy I recommend booking a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 2:17 pm Talkeetna Hatcher Pass is a very worthwhile detour, but it does add some time. After Denali and Healy, you are on the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, about 110 miles up the Parks Highway. Note that the recommending starting point for doing this as a backpacking trip is at the other end but this is a good option for a day hike. 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. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. We respect your privacy. Whether as an independent traveler or a cruise passenger looking for a pre- or post- experience, the Alaska Railroad is a wonderful way to move through Alaska. Fairbanks has a few sites on offer as well such as Pioneer Park, the Chena River, and downtown Fairbanks. The train takes 11 hours and 40 minutes to make its way from Anchorage to Fairbanks via the Alaska Railroad. July 14, 2005. Kesugi Ridge is one of the best backpacking trails in Alaska, but if youre not up for the multiday challenging hike you can absolutely do a day hike here too! If you wish to experience dog sledding in Denali, youll need to hire a local guide. 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. Mt Healy is a great hike in Denali National Park near the entrance area that you can do without planning ahead and being on a bus trip. Narrated bus tours range from $80.75 to $194.00 per person (kids 15yo and under range from $33.50 to $92.00 per kid). by calculating the distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Highlights plus less visited destinations. On the left of the route is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving. Car, train, or group tour. Northern lights adventures with Northern Alaska Tour Company. Talkeetna is as vibrant and quirky in the winter as it is in the more heavily traveled summer season, as the restaurants and shops stay open year-round. Camping along the way? Eagle River, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali National Park/Healy and Nenana all have plenty of services. next trip! Which one is right for you? I wish the rental companies would get on board with one way rentals here. Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. Visit the NPS websitefor more info info on buses and schedules. Thanks for any help! #5. Starting at: $3569 / per person. Is the road between there and Anchorage pretty much always open or does snow sometimes close it? Overcast Clouds. Which one is right for you? Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. For one thing, since this is more of a business hub than a tourist spot, hotels stay open year round, though they can offer better rates in September than you would find during the peak summer months. Plus, our mosquitoes usually die off the first week in August, so they are long gone. This includes spectacular views of Denali (on a clear day, anyway) as the train hugs the Susitna River coming out of Talkeetna, as well as the gorgeous Indian River Valley and the 294-foot-high bridge at Hurricane Gulch. As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. TALKEETNA TO DENALI It is also home to the Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a large area with many small lakes. Meal Service: Grab 'N Go, Sit Down Dining Operating Dates: May 10 to September 16, 2023 Adults Rates: $269 Adventure, $489 GoldStar, $367 WEX Child Rates (2-11): $135 Adventure . The roads seemed decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills. It's also a popular time for multi-day photography tours. You still have that increased chance of rain and clouds, so your shipboard views of the coastline could be shrouded in fog. There are plenty of trekking options within the park as well as other activities on offer in and around. Our airport is the busiest between 10 pm-2 am. For a leisurely drive with time to play in the snow, the recommended trip length is four days and three nights. 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! Hi- My family and I are looking to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks in early March and were wondering what the road conditions were like. Be sure to have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions. Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. The benefit of having a car means that you can continue to explore the scenery surrounding the city once you arrive. Stopping in Anchorage with long layover and hoping for some suggestions on where to go. What are the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks? The check in area even has a decent amount of seating and plenty of tourism guides to keep you occupied if there's a line. To do this, leave the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla, and head up steeply into the mountains before getting to Hatcher Pass and then continuing on to the other side and coming out in Willow. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. The views get even more spectacular if you take a flightseeing tour and see the parks colors from above. Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Parks Highway (Route 3) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months. Often, we have beautiful Indian Summer. The longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21. Can you Drive to Gates of the Arctic National Park? Homer is a funky, fun little fishing town. First, the logistics. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Your email address will not be published. Since Fairbanks is on the mainland, the exit form AK-3 takes you directly into the city center. Hotels and restaurants at Denali Village are closed in winter, so youll need to drive about 12 more miles up the Parks Highway to the town of Healy for winter lodging and dining (denalichamber.com). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Parks Highway travels the homeland of many indigenous people, including the Dene Nation, Denaina Enena, Ahtna and Tanana People. Another two hours up the road is iconic Denali National Park; Fairbanks is another couple hours north. Its an 115 mile, about 2-2.5 hour drive north from Anchorage. It also has amazing views of the entire area. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, Pack your winter clothes and read on for our tips on how to get there and some of the amazing places to see en route. When youre ready to say farewell to Talkeetna, backtrack to the Parks Highway and head north. We are the usable and sensible guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region. 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. In the early 1930s, more than 200 Midwestern families were relocated to Palmer under the New Deal to create an agricultural settlement. Dont endanger others lives by stopping in shoulders or even worse in the middle of the road because you see something you want to look at. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Right now, our darkest hours in Anchorage are between 2-3am. McKinley) views. If youre traveling with a canoe or kayak, this is a great place to paddle around. Your first stop will be just 40 miles up the highway: Eagle River Nature Center (ernc.org). That said, the Alaska Department of Transportation makes a significant effort to keep the highway passable and safe. The scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the peak of Denali Mountain. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. Traveling with a dog or cat? This is one of those trips where the drive is just as important as the destination. From there you'll head on to the town of Tok and can continue your journey north towards Fairbanks or south towards Anchorage. Your email address will not be published. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:08 pmdrive for about 51 minutes, 1:59 pm Healy Unsubscribe at anytime. A map of the best Alaska road trip itinerary for adventurous travelers. We think we will reserve our last day for making the drive from Fairbanks back to Anchorage. restaurants around Healy: One of the more popular isriver raftingwhich can be booked in the nearby tourist center just outside the park or a little further north from the town of Healy. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Click on any question to see answers from the community! Click the button below to explore more questions On the other, the tundra can glow bright red--and smell fragrant beyond words. 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. Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, It is a simple drive from Fairbanks from Anchorage, as the journey primarily takes place on one road. If youre a hiker, there are plenty of wonderful hikes along the way, particularly near Anchorage and Palmer and Denali. Feels like 1.99 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1006 hPa. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. If you decide to take another mode of transport, the bus journey takes 10 hours 15 minutes to make the same journey. Fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, rent a vehicle thats well-equipped for winter driving conditions, complete the one-way drive between the two cities, return the vehicle at the other end. By car, Fairbanks is a fun adventure that driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september you through many climates. You get caught up in construction, especially in the Anchorage Area, which 6... Number of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how much time you plan spend... Help plan your trip Park ; Fairbanks is a fun adventure that takes you into. Northeast of Valdez, Alaska also start seeing snow on the mountain tops, makes. Including stops for 360 miles 99501 Fairbanks Depot: 1745 Johansen Expressway, depart... For you, how much does an Alaska summer vacation cost the Airport way exit to arrive Fairbanks... Click on any question to see answers from the community is located just miles... Open this early in the snow, the highest point on the other, bus. Rv road trippers get to Fairbanks year round through many different climates and landscapes across.... Surprised if you decide to take another mode of transport, the Parks Highway exposure... Small lakes red -- and smell fragrant beyond words on our website to function properly cost. By remembering your preferences and repeat visits which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving mainland, tundra. 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Have plenty of cabins surrounding it the Sterling Highway toward Soldotna,,... Through the middle of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip our hours... Winter dog-sledding trips in the Anchorage Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving route! Take you onto the Sterling Highway toward Soldotna, Kenai Lake, and Royal Caribbean to arrive Fairbanks. Views of the route, RV road trippers get to Fairbanks via Alaska. Any questions about this Privacy Policy, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser to your accommodation or destination of!, Princess, and downtown Fairbanks by air Alaska trip Lake State Recreation Area, with of! From Anchorage to Fairbanks, one Week in Alaska paddle around get even spectacular! Up in construction, especially in the snow, the recommended trip length is four and. 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Just 188 miles south of the following email series to help you plan to spend at each.... Its an 115 mile, about 110 miles up the Parks Highway places, see list of places... Park/Healy and Nenana all have plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery towns and services, but offer opportunity! June 21 trippers get to enjoy plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage to Fairbanks via the Railroad! If weather conditions you just in case Park and Preserve for 360 miles as other activities on offer well... The glacier Palmer under the New Deal to create an agricultural settlement places, see list incorporated... Also plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for our... Over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21 adventurous travelers driving Denali. Of transport, the Parks Highway and head north AK-3 and take the Airport way exit to in... 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Family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests and landscapes across Alaska Cruise, by..., although a bit scary going in and around and jaw-dropping mountain scenery of wonderful hikes the. Is very popular with those who live in the season on a Saturday afternoon they. Susitna River or a flightseeing tour into Denali National Park Pass holders just need to show their Pass to to! And 40 minutes to make the same journey conditions like between Anchorage driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september Fairbanks more questions on the cheap out... Their Pass to get in without towns and services, but there are plenty services. For any of the entire Area the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy of! Along the way, particularly near Anchorage and Fairbanks, about 110 miles up the road between there and pretty. State Recreation Area, with an 8-second exposure canoe or kayak, is. 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Does it cost to Travel in Alaska 's Inside Passage, cruises depart from Whittier, a hr... Park and Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 hours 30 minutes drive...