Alaska is by far the largest state of the United States of America by land area. Nicknamed "the last frontier", Alaska is sparsely populated with a harsh climate but incredible scenery. Separated from the "lower 48" by Canada, Alaska can be a challenging destination; most of the state is in the Arctic. Besides vast forests and frozen tundra, Alaska contains the ten highest mountain peaks in the United States, including Denali, the highest in all of North America.
Alaska
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By car
🧨 By car
Alaska is connected to the contiguous U.S. (known in Alaska as the "Lower 48" or "outside") through Canada via the Alaska Highway. The highway is paved and maintained year-round. Sometimes it can seem a little over-maintained, creating a uniquely Alaskan and Canadian situation: at any given time in the summer, you're bound to hit at least several dozen (and sometimes hundreds of!) miles of road construction. Since the roads in construction zones usually have only one working lane and, due to the scarcity of roads in the rural areas, there are not always alternate routes available, the construction companies operate "pilot cars" (usually pick-up trucks with yellow rotating beacons and large signs that say "Follow me"). They drive back and forth between the two ends of the construction zone and lead the vehicles safely to the other end. Depending on the length of the construction zone, the wait can be anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours. Since there's only one main road, you can't really drive around the construction. The roads that aren't being worked on are usually in great condition. Considering the winter conditions, the roads are in great condition. Every year Alaska gets hit with tons of snow, and the roads take a pounding because of all the weight and plowing that must occur. It is easy to complain about all the construction, but without it people would complain more about the road conditions. Most of Alaska's highways are smooth and freshly paved. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are very common for natives to use when traveling short distances. Be careful of them while you're driving because they come out from all areas: both on-road and off-road.
By bus
Given the distances involved and the fare required to travel those distances, the cost of taking a bus from Canada and the lower 48 to Alaska vs. flying is about the same. See "By bus" under "Getting around" for a list of bus companies offering intrastate services within Alaska.
From Whitehorse, Alaska Yukon Trails provide service to Fairbanks via Dawson City. From Prince Rupert you can continue north to the southeastern panhandle of Alaska via Ketchikan by ferry or you can also begin the ferry journey from Bellingham, Washington, to the southeastern panhandle as well (see "By boat" in the above for more details).
The only option for travel to Alaska without a car from the lower 48 is by ferry (from Bellingham to the SE panhandle via Prince Rupert) or by plane.
By bus
Given the distances involved and the fare required to travel those distances, the cost of taking a bus from Canada and the lower 48 to Alaska vs. flying is about the same. See "By bus" under "Getting around" for a list of bus companies offering intrastate services within Alaska.
From Whitehorse, Alaska Yukon Trails provide service to Fairbanks via Dawson City. From Prince Rupert you can continue north to the southeastern panhandle of Alaska via Ketchikan by ferry or you can also begin the ferry journey from Bellingham, Washington, to the southeastern panhandle as well (see "By boat" in the above for more details).
The only option for travel to Alaska without a car from the lower 48 is by ferry (from Bellingham to the SE panhandle via Prince Rupert) or by plane.
By bus COPY
Given the distances involved and the fare required to travel those distances, the cost of taking a bus from Canada and the lower 48 to Alaska vs. flying is about the same. See "By bus" under "Getting around" for a list of bus companies offering intrastate services within Alaska.
From Whitehorse, Alaska Yukon Trails provide service to Fairbanks via Dawson City. From Prince Rupert you can continue north to the southeastern panhandle of Alaska via Ketchikan by ferry or you can also begin the ferry journey from Bellingham, Washington, to the southeastern panhandle as well (see "By boat" in the above for more details).
The only option for travel to Alaska without a car from the lower 48 is by ferry (from Bellingham to the SE panhandle via Prince Rupert) or by plane.
By bus COPY
Given the distances involved and the fare required to travel those distances, the cost of taking a bus from Canada and the lower 48 to Alaska vs. flying is about the same. See "By bus" under "Getting around" for a list of bus companies offering intrastate services within Alaska.
From Whitehorse, Alaska Yukon Trails provide service to Fairbanks via Dawson City. From Prince Rupert you can continue north to the southeastern panhandle of Alaska via Ketchikan by ferry or you can also begin the ferry journey from Bellingham, Washington, to the southeastern panhandle as well (see "By boat" in the above for more details).
The only option for travel to Alaska without a car from the lower 48 is by ferry (from Bellingham to the SE panhandle via Prince Rupert) or by plane.