RV Squid: Along the Alaska Highway

June 9 - 18, 2024

The Alaska Highway begins at Dawson Creek and ends at Delta Junction, AK. The Richardson Highway to Fairbanks is a natural extension and the route we took. At Tok, AK, one pretty much decides whether to go clockwise or counterclockwise around AK with extensions to Homer, Seward, and Valdez.

By the time we got to Fairbanks, we were more than ready for a week at the northernmost KOA. What a luxury to have 50 amp full hook ups! Most of the AK Highway campgrounds had only 30 amp and most were only water and electric with a dump station.

While the Alaska Highway is fully paved (not counting the numerous gravel patches), there are sections with ruts, rolls, and dips that can cause some real damage. We saw one vehicle with a broken suspension. Consequently the road from around the Burwash Landing area to Tok takes a lot longer than your Garmin would indicate.

Our windshield took a beating on the gravel patches from passing trucks. Per Safelite, we have too many chips and the whole windshield will have to be replaced. Ugh! Hopefully, we won't incur any showstopping damage in AK and can wait to schedule a replacement when we're back in the lower 48.

That said, there were plenty of beautiful sights along the road. Wildlife sightings included bear, bison, caribou, and moose. Photos of said did not turn out good though because the windshield was either covered in bugs or glare. Majestic mountains, rivers, and lots of wildflowers make for gorgeous scenery. Towns like Dawson Creek, Ft. Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse offer museums and a welcome rest.

So glad to be off the road for a bit.