All land transportation options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain vistas and Denali (Mt. Check timetables in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey times. Its also usually the most expensive option. 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. Or get a full Anchorage to Fairbanks flight plan. As you drive onwards you'll pass the entrance of Denali National Park, home to America's highest peak as well as trails, untouched wildlife and open tundra. Several buses depart daily, while there is just one train per day. Talkeetna (6 answers) 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. 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! Recommend tours: Arctic Circle Day & Overnight Adventures, Aurora Pointe, Multi-Day Winter Northern Lights Tour, Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs, Borealis Basecamp clear-roofed igloos & Aurora Ice Fishing. Get the reverse directions for a Fairbanks is 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park and Preserve. Continue on into the town of Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier. This one week Anchorage to Fairbanks road trip can be a great addition for people taking an Inside Passage Cruise up to Alaska from Seattle or Vancouver. Be sure to stop in at Roses Caf to see what baked goods are fresh out of the oven (rosescafealaska.com). Where are the gas stations and other services? There are literally hundreds of stops along the way. We respect your privacy. Fairbanks averages 60.9 inches of snow per year. Two trains . Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, The Anchorage to Fairbanks Loop Route Map. 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. Anchorage is 187 miles from the the junction with the Richardson Highway. Other options:If Seward isnt appealing to you, you can opt to take the Sterling Highway to Kenai & Soldotna for fishing, or go all the way down toHomer(about 5 hours from Anchorage). an affiliate advertising program. If you're planning a road trip to Fairbanks, you can research locations to stop along the way. Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Denali is an Athabaskan word meaning the high one.. The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. restaurants around Healy: How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Alaska? Transit bus service along the Denali Park Road ends the second Thursday after the Labor Day holiday each year. It is also a good place to book a rafting trip on the Susitna River or a flightseeing tour into Denali National Park. Most of ours turn yellow and orange. Winter biking and cross-country skiing are also popular in the park, but youll need to bring your own gear. for 20% off at checkout, Login If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Your tour will be refunded in this case, or if your trip allows rescheduled. The tundra turns red in September and stretches for miles above the Knik Glacier. September in the Anchorage area has another unique draw: The Alaska State Fair, located just 40 minutes north of the city in Palmer. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Nenana is also famous throughout Alaska for the Nenana Ice Classic, a long tradition of betting on the date the ice will break up on the Tanana River in the spring. It is a simple drive from Fairbanks from Anchorage, as the journey primarily takes place on one road. May require a current valid driver's license, must meet UA safe driving requirements. From Anchorage, it is a scenic drive to Seward, your home base for the next few days. Its an 115 mile, about 2-2.5 hour drive north from Anchorage. I hope you have a great trip! Driving time in good conditions will take about seven hours, not including stops. Ive allotted two days here for exploring the park, but it can easily be done in a day for those only wanting a bus tour, or you could spend weeks or even months here depending on what you want to do. 2) Should I drive or take the bus ? Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. by calculating the distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Farther up the highway, at the braided mouth of the Knik River, you will pass a vast open area called the Palmer Hay Flats. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the In the summer, expect lots of RVs and probably some construction. That's why locals say, "September is a gamble.". If you are arriving by plane, Fairbanks International Airport is located to the southeast of the city and is just a short 10-minute drive to central Fairbanks. Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. In summary, Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles of mostly two-lane paved highway once north of Wasilla. Be sure to have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pmdrive for about 1.5 hours, 2:17 pm Talkeetna One-day rail tours and multi-day packages can be booked through several local operators. Thompson Pass, as seen in May 2009. Looking for ideas? This particular drive is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance of setting off. Car, train, or group tour. Today, prepare to ride through the snowy backcountry on a guided snowmobile tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours (book ahead at youralaskavacation.com). Trippy is where A little over an hour south of Anchorage, the small town of Whittier is situated on the shores of Prince William Sound. Anchorage Depot: 411 West 1st Avenue, 99501 Fairbanks Depot: 1745 Johansen Expressway, 99701 Depart Anchorage: 8:20 AM . drive for about 2 hours, 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) For a day hike, start at the Curry Ridge Trailhead across the road from the Denali South Viewpoint in Denali State Park. 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. There's a pretty good chance you'll see the Northern lights here (during the aurora borealis peak time between September and April) because it's far from the city and it's super dark. Can I drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks year round? You can easily do the drive in a day, but why would you when youd miss so many reasons for doing the trip along the way? Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Condor Flugdienst. This drive deserves at least a day of your road trip to Alaska. DENALI TO FAIRBANKS Non-narrated buses range from $26.50 to $34.00 per person (kids under 15yo are free). How is the drive in one day? Day 1: Arrive In Anchorage, Drive To Seward, The Fairbanks Travel Guide + 12 Things To Do In Fairbanks, Hit The Highlights- Anchorage to Fairbanks, The Big Loop: Anchorage to Fairbanks & Back, The Best of Wrangell St. Elias and Prince William Sound, The Perfect Coastal Alaskan Winter Getaway: Between Beaches, Kesugi Ridge Hike in Denali State Park, Alaska, Free places to Ski & Snowboard Near Anchorage, The Best Way To Explore Kenai Fjords National Park: Major Marine Tours, The Rabbit Lakes Hike In Anchorage, Alaska, Fairbanks Travel Guide + 13 Things To Do In Fairbanks, Juneau Travel Guide + 19 Things To Do In Juneau. Driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks will give you a feel for Alaskas vast landscapes and at stops along the way you can enjoy hikes, views, picnics and get to know what Alaska is like! Fairbanks - Glennallen / Copper Center ( Driving Distance: 250 miles| Overnight: Glennallen ) Travel on the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction - a telegraph station established in 1904. Labor Day is not the end of the tourist crowds in Alaska. It has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town. I recommend spending two nights in Denali if possible because you then get the full day to take the bus trip into the park. Big ship or small ship? Also look for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet. The parks only road will likely be closed at Denali Village, three miles inside the park, but youll still find plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun without the summer crowds. 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! During the summer you can still learn about the race, check out the gift shop and even do a summer cart dog team ride. Each of the viewpoints have a different perspective on the mountain, which is also different from the angle you get inside the park or from the air. From glaciers to the tallest mountain in North America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and everything in between. The Chena Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes each way. So, if you want to experience the entire park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go. That said, the Alaska Department of Transportation makes a significant effort to keep the highway passable and safe. But not always. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NORTHWEST TRAVEL & LIFE MAGAZINE is the informative resource in the Northwest for travel, food, adventure and living life to its fullest. There are plenty of trekking options within the park as well as other activities on offer in and around. Decided to drive rather than fly to Fairbanks. If you intend to road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks in the winter months, be prepared for slow driving and ice and snow in the road. Anchorage Fairbanks Road Trip Table Of Contents. September is actually the beginning of the peak season of this Alaskan city: Fairbanks is a nice destination year round, but really starts to shine when the night skies finally become dark enough to view the northern lights. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. There's less crowds, but all of the great things about Girdwood still exist. You don't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the mainland United States. Between fall colors, bears gathering at salmon streams, and the possibility of seeing the northern lights, there's plenty to fill your lens. A map of the best Alaska road trip itinerary for adventurous travelers. Consider splitting it up into several days to have more time to take everything in and for shorter driving days. As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. If you're going on a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Chugach Outdoor Center and Alaska Zoo, or the ever-popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Expressway, 99701 depart Anchorage: 8:20 AM ( kids under 15yo are free ) the... 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