June - July, 2024
Having heard much about the Alaska Highway and other northern highways, we really thought we'd be prepared. Harold had mentally planned and budgeted for a new windshield and a new tire. Thankfully we did not need a new tire by the end of our trip. However, a new windshield had to be ordered and was waiting for us in Rapid City.
The Alaska Highway did not get rough until somewhere around Destruction Bay and Burwash Landing in the YT. The frost heaves do heavy damage to the road on an annual basis. Along the way you'll see several research attempts to combat the heaves. In a motorhome, you have to go slow, or you'll do some serious damage to your undercarriage. Traveling 40 mph at best, you have to slow almost to a stop for a number of the heave areas. Orange flags or road damage signs warn you a fair amount of the time-but not all!
It was the fresh chip seal in BC and YT that did our windshield damage. Semi trucks coming the opposite direction peppered our windshield with large gravel. We cringed every time we saw a truck coming. Harold even found gravel on our roof when we finally made it to an RV wash.
On the plus side of the journey, we saw lots of roadside wildlife and the scenery is incredible. Surprisingly, the volume of traffic was less than I thought it might be, considering the AK Highway is pretty much the only road.
Would I do the Alaska Highway again in a motorhome? Truthfully, probably not. It's a long way. The roads are rather rough in areas and unless you have a satellite phone, you may not be able to call anyone. A roadside assist plan may not be able to help you either.
We pulled into a turnout in the YT to let our tires cool from all the braking we did. In front of us a guy was under his motorhome. His jacks would not retract. He had called his roadside assist plan. They could not find anyone to come to his remote location. Thankfully with onboard tools and Harold's help, he was able to get the jacks retracted and get back on the road.
Construction and other hazards plague the roads too. While we were there, the AK Highway was closed completely for short periods of time due to washouts and wildfires. The Klondike Highway to Skagway closed for a landslide. There aren't a lot of other roads for detours either. You wait until the roads reopen.
Traveling the roads in an auto would probably be a totally different experience. Another year might be a totally different experience. I'm not too eager to try again though. Once was enough for me. If we head to AK again, we'll get there another way. The AK Highway experience is checked. ✓
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| Maintenance while the brakes cool |
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| Ambling along |
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| Crazy ruts |
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| Slow down again |
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| Desperate measures (not our coach) |
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| Reminds me of Custer State Park |
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| Overnight spot along the road |
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| Muncho Lake |
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| Washout ahead - one lane only |
