10 Best Road Trips You Can Take Through The Scenic State Of Alaska
Alaska, the Land of the Midnight Sun, offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. With its vast wilderness, towering mountains, and glittering glaciers, it beckons road trip enthusiasts to delve into its scenic beauty. Here are the 10 best road trips you can take through the scenic state of Alaska:
1.Seward Highway – Spanning 127 miles from Anchorage to Seward, this route boasts incredible views of Turnagain Arm, sprawling mountains, and potentially wildlife sightings. It’s a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and a multitude of outdoor activities.
2.Dalton Highway – A truly adventurous route for some rugged scenery and a sense of isolation as you trace the pipeline from Livengood to Deadhorse over 414 miles. Be prepared; services are minimal, but the experience is unparalleled.
3.Denali Park Road – Meander 92 miles into Denali National Park where North America’s tallest peak stands proud. The park road delivers sublime views and access to pure wilderness. Note that private vehicle access may be restricted beyond Savage River.
4.Alaska Marine Highway – An unconventional ‘road’ trip via ferries that navigate through Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage. You can weave in and out of coastal towns, hop between stunning islands, and witness marine life up close.
5.Glenn Highway – Connect Anchorage with Glennallen over approximately 179 miles while taking in sights like Matanuska Glacier and the Chugach Mountains. It leads adventurers towards Wrangell–St. Elias National Park & Preserve.
6.Richardson Highway – From Valdez to Fairbanks, this 368-mile road stretches across vast landscapes dotted with waterfalls, historic towns like Copper Center, and into the heart of Alaska’s interior.
7.The Top of the World Highway – Experience one of the most northerly roadways in North America from Dawson City in Yukon (accessible only by ferry) to Tetlin Junction on the Alaska Highway. It’s remote with phenomenal views across tundra and rugged horizons.
8.Sterling Highway – Driving roughly 135 miles from Tern Lake Junction to Homer provides pristine scenes of Cook Inlet and volcanoes across Kachemak Bay leading you towards fantastic fishing locales.
9.Steese Highway – A lesser-known trail that winds 161 miles from Fairbanks into central Alaska’s gold mining country around Circle on the Yukon River brings history and authentic Alaskan landscapes together.
10.Haines Highway – Travel 152 miles from Haines through British Columbia back into Alaska at Haines Junction onto the Alaska Highway, accompanying river valleys bound by snow-peaked mountains and sprawling forests along your journey.
In Alaska, every drive is an adventure waiting to unfold – each highway with its own unique allure and extraordinary encounters with nature that embody the essence of exploration in America’s last frontier.