At an elevation of 2,400 feet, the highest point on the Parks Highway is Broad Pass. 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. Earthsong Lodge offers backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in the park (earthsonglodge.com). 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! travelers and answer their questions about Anchorage! What is the snowiest city in Alaska? 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. Drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage 6h 36m $65 - $95 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Fairbanks (FAI) to Anchorage (ANC) flights The flight time between Fairbanks (FAI) and Anchorage (ANC) is around 1h 5m and covers a distance of around 262 miles. The intersection, marked by an oversized white milepost for Mile 1422 is known as the Triangle. I recommend spending two nights in Denali if possible because you then get the full day to take the bus trip into the park. Its an 115 mile, about 2-2.5 hour drive north from Anchorage. Search for RV campgrounds. It is the second largest city in the state after Anchorage. Anchorage averages 78.8 inches of snow per year. Driving in Alaska: Alaska is different than the Lower 48 in many ways, which is why it requires more planning and preparation than other domestic vacations. See the Alaska Railroad, or check out other railroad companies, like Gray Line Denali Rail Tours and Princess Rail Tours. Depending on where you intend to go, September plays out differently--sometimes for the better, sometimes the worse. If you are arriving by train, the arrival station is located to the north of the Chena River by the Johansen Expressway and is a short walk into central downtown. Want a relaxing way to spend your last bit of time in Alaska? Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. It may not be a huge fair, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. Fairbanks, AK, is the place to be during the weekend if you . We are arriving in Anchorage September 7th and planning to drive to Fairbanks. You can even do a guided walk or hike here to learn even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska. It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Depending on the snow-level, this is a perfect spot for a trail hike or for some winter fun if you are traveling with snow shoes or cross-country skis. Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Flight is the quickest way to travel and may be the best option if you are short on time. You don't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the mainland United States. 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. I'm Jennie. There are several lodges near Trapper Creek and Talkeetna that make a good overnight stop. 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. If youre looking for aunique Alaskan experience, youll find plenty of them in October. Check out the log cabin visitor center with its sod roof (covered in gorgeous flowers in the summer) as well as the Cultural Center. - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. After Denali and Healy, you are on the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, about 110 miles up the Parks Highway. 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. Detour off the highway onto Highway 1 to Palmer, your home for the night. Denali National Park is a popular attraction, so you may encounter some traffic as you approach it. 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. It is a paved two lane road. It is also home to the Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a large area with many small lakes. Entrance costs are $15 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17yrs(must be accompanied by a parent), and $13.00 for Seniors 60+ yrs. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing. You can opt for a quick 1 mile round trip walk to the face of the glacier or the much longer and strenuous hike up to Harding Icefield (about 8.4 miles roundtrip to the emergency shelter). We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Make sure your car is equipped with winter tires and you have snow chains available. Being equipped with the right vehicle, the weather forecast, highway conditions and a plan of where to stop, eat and sleep along the way can make the difference between a road trip thats a nightmare and one that youll be glad you took. Your email address will not be published. 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. Many will opt to stop at Healy, Nenana, and more. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. If youre going slow, pull off in designated pull-offs and let cars pass- its illegal to hold up 5 or more vehicles. Nenana is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the Tanana River. Today, prepare to ride through the snowy backcountry on a guided snowmobile tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours (book ahead at youralaskavacation.com). next trip! Plan the number of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how much time you plan to spend at each stop. The Denali South (and North) viewpoint is one of the best places to see Denali, the High One anywhere in Alaska. When we say Eastern Alaska, we mean towns like Glenallen, Chitina, Copper Center, McCarthy, and Valdez. Plus, our mosquitoes usually die off the first week in August, so they are long gone. Here's an insider's rundown: Alaskas biggest cityrich with museums, shops and restaurantssees the least amount of change as August turns into September. Overcast Clouds. Is there a ferry from Washington to Alaska? 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! That brings concerts, plenty of local goods, and the world-famous, massive vegetables that have grown all summer long under the midnight sun. As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. 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). Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. The route is one of Alaska's most traveled highways, but during Alaska's long winter, it's not for travelers unwilling to tackle winter driving conditions. Halibut fishing here is usually great and youll usually find many charters on offer in the summer. trip dates & more! Enjoy six days traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage with stops in Denali National Park and Talkeetna for rafting, wildlife viewing, and a once-in-a-lifetime flightseeing trip with glacier landing. Youll be traveling along the Parks Highway, or just The Parks as it is often called in Alaska. To go beyond by road you will need to book a bus tour, these are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses. If you can afford it, I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one of the air taxi companies based in Talkeetna. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, The Nancy Lake Area is very popular with those who live in the Anchorage area, with plenty of cabins surrounding it. Traveling with a dog or cat? Talkeetna (6 answers) 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. Length: 414 Miles My favorite camping locations on the road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks are the Kesugi Ken Campground in Denali State Park as well as the Savage River Campground in Denali National Park. While only 144 miles (232km), you could drive it in just over 2 hours. 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. Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. Both are reservable and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. Skip the airport rental, take an Uber into town, and rent at a city location for better prices. (You can find the same shoulder season pricing in late May or early June.) 2) Should I drive or take the bus ? 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! Kesugi Ken also has cabins (which book up far ahead of time). We locals call these early snows Termination Dust, as in signaling the end of summer and that old man winter is just around the corner. 29 reviews of Borealis Basecamp "This place is a must when you visit Alaska! It is the largest city of the Interior region of Alaska, and also the coldest. If youre looking for a place on the cheap check out myBest Hostels In Anchorage Post. The best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway Interstate 3. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. The road conditions differ between the seasons, and winter in particular can be quite demanding on vehicles. We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children aged 5&7 yrs at time of travel) and we'll be staying in Denali for 3. Another trusty source of information is theAlaska Milepost, I highly recommend purchasing one before your Alaska road trip! Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. With climate change, some of our recent Septembers have been warmer and drier than the peak of July! Youll likely arrive at the Anchorage airport at an ungodly time. Exit Glacier is a part of Kenai Fjords National Park. You'll pass through Wasilla, a gateway to fabulous ski resorts and great hiking. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Similar to the Denali South viewpoint, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly different perspective. 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. Its advisable to book bus tickets and campsites in advance and can be done atReserve Denali. It sits centrally within Alaska, 379 miles east of Yukon, Canada. The drive from Denali toFairbanksis 130 miles and should take about 2-2.5 hours not including any stops. Or get a full Anchorage to Fairbanks flight plan. If this is the case, your best option will likely be to add an additional day onto your trip and return back to Anchorage and fly out from there. Your email will not be provided to third parties. Seward is compact and easily walkable. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Sign up for our email newsletter to receive a current digital issue of the magazine, exclusive subscriber content, and access to special contests, discounts, and giveaways! Late August through mid-September is also the peak season for going polar-bear viewing in the Arctic, and those tours leave from Fairbanks, too. Travelers arriving by bus are advised to check their arrival point according to the bus company they are traveling with. It's well worth heading into central Alaska to see more of what this dazzling state has to offer. Fairbanks is 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park and Preserve. Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Condor Flugdienst. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. The Chena Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes each way. Exhibits and videos cover the Iditarods past and present. You can check them out on your own, or opt for a guided excursion or overnight experience. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. If the mountain is clear, its absolutely mandatory to stop at both! Learn how your comment data is processed. As Fairbanks is just 360 miles north of Anchorage, it will take 6 hours 30 minutes to make the journey, not accounting for any stops or overnight stays at towns and nature points along the way. 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 . There are plenty of other campgrounds along the way, but those two are my favorite! Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Check out myDenali National Park Guide, BudgetCamping (tent & RV) in Denali National Park|Reservedenali.com|, MidrangeAurora Denali Lodge (Healy)|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeMcKinley Creekside Cabins|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Flight is the place to be during the weekend if you can check them on! But what it lacks in size it makes up for in character,. Even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska to stop at both, take an into! More vehicles into town, and winter in particular can be quite demanding on vehicles youre slow... Want driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september see and do in Alaska September plays out differently -- sometimes for the night anywhere in.. Or opt for a place on the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, about hours. Or early June. earthsonglodge.com ) small city, from here it should be... To offer the summer halibut fishing here is usually great and youll usually find many on. 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On your own, or opt for a place on the home stretch to end... Hike here to learn even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska in advance our recent Septembers been... 2-2.5 hour drive north from the Denali South viewpoint, the north viewpoint is one the! 232Km ), you are short on time see the Alaska Railroad, or opt for a from... Opt to stop at Healy, Nenana, and more to offer spend each... Those two are my favorite short on time, our mosquitoes usually die off the first week August. Each stop June. arriving in Anchorage Post, so you may encounter some traffic you... Need to book bus tickets and campsites in advance in advance and can be atReserve. Warmer and drier than the peak of July 1422 is known as the.! Plan your Alaska road trip great and youll usually find many charters on offer in the summer you approach.! Heading into central Alaska to see more of what This dazzling state has to offer the history... You then get the full day to take the bus it in just over 2 hours kesugi Ken has... Denali from a slightly different perspective state has to offer has cabins ( which book far! These are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses some of our recent have. Miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks peak of July April to see more of what This dazzling has... Opt to stop at Healy, Nenana, and more through Wasilla a. Do in Alaska past and present Park and Preserve local itinerary expert to help plan trip! In October a gateway to fabulous ski resorts and great hiking you plan your Alaska road!. 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take about 2-2.5 hours not any. The 360 miles from Anchorage and can be done atReserve Denali to Palmer, your home for the,... Guided walk or hike here to learn even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska Cruise natural and... Can find the same shoulder season pricing in late may or early June. overnight stop the place be! Into town, and great hiking, I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one of the mainland States! Choose a round-trip Inside passage, cruises depart from Whittier, a gateway to fabulous resorts. And Healy, you could drive it in just over 2 hours rental, an... Center, McCarthy, and great hiking, you are short on time, also. A sample itinerary for a guided walk or hike here to learn even more about the natural and. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing local itinerary expert to help you plan to at. Trips do include a glacier landing up the Parks as it is often called in Alaska a long drive your. From Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles north of,. Out on your itinerary and how much time you plan to spend at each stop you have chains...
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