Is The Alaska Highway Paved? +9 Questions on Driving to Alaska

The Alaska highway is a stretch of road connecting the lower 48 to the last frontier. It runs through Canada and after having driven it twice I can confirm that it brings you to some of the most incredible views in the Yukon and beyond. But before you head out on a drive, you might be wondering if the highway itself is paved. Well I'm here to tell you that no, no it's not. At least not all of it, and if you're planning a trip to traverse the entire stretch then there's a few other things you'll want to know as well.

*If you have any questions that aren't answered in this post, please leave them in the comments section where I do my best to answer all Alaska related questions directly!

My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State.

For flights, I recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Why the Alaska Highway Isn't Paved

You might be wondering why in the world the only highway connecting Alaska to the lower 48 isn't paved. I mean this is the only way to drive to Alaska without a ferry ride, and over 300,000 people drive it every year. So, why isn't it all paved? Although the majority of the Alaska-Canada Highway is actually paved, there are quite a few large stretches of road that are gravel paths - mostly either due to summer construction or detoured route. My best advice when crossing parts of the highway that aren't paved is to bring extra tire patches and an extra tire - and know how to use them and change a tire. On my most recent drive (Fall of 2022, and again in a few months!) the area of the road that was hardest and bumpiest to drive was the second half of the Yukon and into Alaska.

9 Things You Need to Know Before the Drive

1. When does the Alaska Highway open/close?
​The Alaska highway technically never closes and is open year round - 24/7/365. However, I wouldn't recommend driving it between the months of October to April. During these months the Yukon and Alaska are likely to be very slippery, snowy, and icy - meaning dangerous driving conditions. So even though the road is technically open, I wouldn't recommend driving it in the winter.

2. How long it the Alaska Highway and how long does it take to drive?
​The Alaska Highway is 1,390 miles long and takes approximately 3 days to drive straight through, without stops - but of course I recommend stopping along the way. There's some incredible places you won't want to miss - just head down to question #6 to see them. Between the two times I've driven it, the first was during Covid and we were given a time restraint forcing us to complete the drive in 3 days. The second was on a much more leisurely pace - and Tyler and I took a good 2 weeks driving back down to the lower 48. My best recommendation is to fill up on gas at every chance you have while driving the Alaska Highway - although chances are you could be fine, you always run the risk of a station being out of gas when you get there.

3. Is there anywhere to stay on the Alaska Highway?
​Lucky for you, yes, there are plenty of places to stay along the drive to Alaska! Well, maybe plenty is a bit of a stretch but there are at least a few different options. My best recommendation is to get a rooftop tent like ours, otherwise it's essential to read reviews of different lodging options to make sure you avoid bed bugs or spending way more than what it's worth. On my most recent trip we stayed at the following places, beginning with lodging options closest to the lower 48 :

• Basecamp Resorts Baker Creek - Banff, Alberta, CA
• Super 8 by Wyndham - Dawson Creek, British Columbia, CA
• Liard Hot Springs Lodge & RV Park - Liard Hot Springs, British Columbia, CA
• Whitehorse Wonder Airbnb - Whitehorse, Yukon, CA
• Antler's Rest Bed & Breakfast - Glenallen, Alaska, USA
• The Lakefront - Anchorage, Alaska, USA

4. How about food?
​Unfortunately there aren't quite as many options for places to eat as there are places to stay. If you're a snacker (what road tripper isn't) then I highly encourage you to pack snacks, and lots of them. However, there were a few places we stopped at and enjoyed, and lucky for you I've listed all of those below too : 

•  Boston Pizza - Dawson Creek, British Columbia, CA
• Liard Hot Springs Resort & RV Park - Liard Hot Springs, British Columbia, CA
• Andrea's Restaurant - Watson Lake, Yukon, CA
• Bullet Hole Bagels - Whitehorse, Yukon, CA (this was closed when we visited, but we were personally recommended this spot by many people)
• Burnt Toast Cafe - Whitehorse, Yukon, CA
• Belly of the Bison - Whitehorse, Yukon, CA​
• Fast Eddy's Restaurant - Tok, Alaska, USA
  

5. Do you need a passport?
​Since the Alaska Highway begins in Canada and crosses international borders, this means that in order to drive the Alaska highway from start to finish you will need your passport. When I drove it during Covid the regulations were pretty intense, but since then they've eased up quite a bit. You can always check current updates online.

6. Best sights to see on the Alaska Highway?
​There are some truly incredible sights to see along the Alaska highway. From amazing hot springs, to incredible wildlife, and beautiful mountains and glaciers - you can read our entire list here of best places to stop on the Alaska Highway! (p.s. On my most recent drive down to the lower 48 we saw 1 lynx, 2 bears, 30 elk, 3 deer, 1 moose, 2 porcupines, 11 big horn sheep, and over 150 buffalo - so make sure to keep your eyes peeled!)

7. Where does the Alaska Highway start?
​The Alaska Highway begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and officially ends in Delta Junction, Alaska. Not to be confused with Dawson City which is near the Alaska border. If your goal is to drive the entire Alaska Highway, then make sure to stop in Dawson Creek and grab a photo with the famous Alaska Highway sign!

8. Who built the Alaska highway? And when?
​The Alaska Highway was built in 1942 by the Army Corps of Engineers who were dispatched by President Franklin Roosevelt. The entire project was completed in just over 8 months.

9. Why was the highway built?
​The Alaska Highway was built as a way to connect the lower 48 to Alaska, mainly to help service the multiple military facilities dotted throughout the last frontier. Now a days the highway is mainly used to transport goods to Alaska, and for people like us who want an occasional adventure, or need to move all their stuff up in a U-Haul. ;)

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> 15 Best Road Side Attractions on the Alaska Highway
-> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska
-> 7 Best Tours in Alaska

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