driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september

The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them. because there's an entire community of travelers talking While youre in Talkeetna, you can apply what you learned at the Iditarod Headquarters by booking a two-hour sled dog tour and driving your own dog team with Iditarod Champion Dallas Seavey (dallasseavey.com/alaska-sled-dog-tours). Note that no food service is available in the winter inside the park, so bring your own food and beverages when visiting Denali. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. However, if you are driving on to Canada you may need a passport to re-enter the US. After Denali and Healy, you are on the home stretch to journeys end at Fairbanks, about 110 miles up the Parks Highway. This area is similar to Denali in the sense that many hotels and tours shut down by mid-Septemberafter which things are really shut down. Day 1: Fairbanks It also stops at Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali. Every twenty years or so, a freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open. Nenana is somewhat famous for being the location where President Harding drove the golden spike for the completion of the Alaska Railroad the same year. Learn More > Northern Exposure Alaska Sampler - Tour 169 Paddle Alaska Road Trip - Tour 128 The best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway Interstate 3. Ive not personally done a Denali flightseeing tour yet, but I have yet to hear a bad thing about it from anyone whos done it. Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. View massive tidewater glaciers and keep an eye out for wildlife. If you intend to road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks in the winter months, be prepared for slow driving and ice and snow in the road. Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. Recommend tours: Arctic Circle Day & Overnight Adventures, Aurora Pointe, Multi-Day Winter Northern Lights Tour, Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs, Borealis Basecamp clear-roofed igloos & Aurora Ice Fishing. Want to plan the trip back? The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. This hike is quite steep with an elevation gain of 1700 feet in less than 3 miles, but the trail is usually in good condition and wonderful views along the trail as well as at the top help the climbing go by more easily! If you're a photographer, you may be interested in a fall foliage photo tour. Taking you from Anchorage to Fairbanks this road trip itinerary gives you a pretty good sampling of what the 49th state has to offer if you only have one week in Alaska. Fall colors in Alaska are beautiful but different from the Lower 48. Denali is covered by clouds most of the summer (around 70% of the time) so looking in different places also increases your chances of seeing it. Pilots will not fly if weather conditions are poor or unstable. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. I've been a tour guide in both Alaska and Washington and I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. *Note: the Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent. Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Fairbanks. 7-10 days is the most common. Alaska 44 Rentals (alaska4x4rentals.com) and Alaska Auto Rentals (alaskaautorental.com), both Alaska-based companies, specialize in renting vehicles equipped for winter driving conditions, and both allow pick up in one city and drop off in the other. Big ship or small ship? It is a paved two lane road. Car, train, or group tour. to double check the weather. The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. This makes an excellent rest stop along the way. If you do have a bit more time to budget for you Anchorage to Fairbanks itinerary, Id suggest spending a night over in Kayakers Cove to add an adventurous day on your trip. Our airport is the busiest between 10 pm-2 am. Your email will not be provided to third parties. TALKEETNA TO DENALI If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. What about this time of year for the road? Weather pending, you can also enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of the month. 2.8k. For one thing, since this is more of a business hub than a tourist spot, hotels stay open year round, though they can offer better rates in September than you would find during the peak summer months. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. That's why locals say, "September is a gamble.". What are the road conditions like between Anchorage and Fairbanks? Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:59 pmdrive for about 2 hours, Marcella from Houston asked:Best itinerary for Anchorage to Fairbanks in 7 days? Your first stretch of the Parks Highway is almost complete. Cantwell (Alaska) I recommend booking a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience. The trip can be done one way fromSewardtoFairbanksafter a cruise or from Fairbanks to Seward before the cruise. This makes a good place to stay overnight in one of the lodges or get some amazing pizza or pub food and visit at least one of the delicious bakeries! At 12 hours (8:15 a.m. 8 p.m.), this is the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad. Consider splitting it up into several days to have more time to take everything in and for shorter driving days. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Check out the log cabin visitor center with its sod roof (covered in gorgeous flowers in the summer) as well as the Cultural Center. Around three quarters of the Parks Highway is covered with various cell providers at the time of this writing. Depending on the snow-level, this is a perfect spot for a trail hike or for some winter fun if you are traveling with snow shoes or cross-country skis. Here's an insider's rundown: Alaskas biggest cityrich with museums, shops and restaurantssees the least amount of change as August turns into September. To get to Talkeetna, take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage and make sure to follow the signs as you approach the Mat-Su Valley toward the Parks Highway and Wasilla. The Nancy Lake Area is very popular with those who live in the Anchorage area, with plenty of cabins surrounding it. But, to be fair, those cruises and buses are less crowded than they were in June, July or August. The scenes from the car window on this trip are unparalleled, from great lakes to the peak of Denali Mountain. Hi! The only problem is, it can also be rainy and cool. I recommend spending two nights in Denali if possible because you then get the full day to take the bus trip into the park. If this is the case, your best option will likely be to add an additional day onto your trip and return back to Anchorage and fly out from there. to each other and sharing tips and advice. Anchorage to Fairbanks All land transportation options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain vistas and Denali (Mt. If you have extra time after you arrive in Fairbanks you could continue up to North Pole(no, not the actual one, just the goofy town with the name). Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years. Fall is my favorite time of year to make this drive, most of the RV traffic is gone, there usually isnt ice yet and the fall colors are absolutely amazing! Fairbanks - Glennallen / Copper Center ( Driving Distance: 250 miles| Overnight: Glennallen ) Travel on the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction - a telegraph station established in 1904. The Chena Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes each way. Where are the gas stations and other services? Travelers arriving by bus are advised to check their arrival point according to the bus company they are traveling with. The drive from Denali toFairbanksis 130 miles and should take about 2-2.5 hours not including any stops. Find dining and lodging in Palmer by visiting the valleys tourism website at alaskavisit.com. Check the road conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. Fall visitors will almost certainly need to rent a car and drive here on their own, on Alaska Route 3 (the "George Parks Highway"). Exhibits and videos cover the Iditarods past and present. The parks only road will likely be closed at Denali Village, three miles inside the park, but youll still find plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun without the summer crowds. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. If youre driving through in late winter or early spring, look for the black and white tripod set up on the river, which topples over and triggers a clock which marks the official time to declare a winner! Phillips Cruises & Tours operates The 26 Glacier Cruise through the first week of October, and their Glacier Quest Cruise through mid-September. Length: 414 Miles The roads seemed decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills. Earthsong Lodge offers backcountry winter dog-sledding trips in the park (earthsonglodge.com). Kesugi Ken also has cabins (which book up far ahead of time). Or get a full Anchorage to Fairbanks flight plan. Seward, Girdwood, Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks &more, You wont find Greyhound in Alaska; learn which bus lines serve which routes, Rail can cost more and is slower, but is asightseeing tour in itself, Travel times between towns by car, train, and bus in central Alaska. That said, the Alaska Department of Transportation makes a significant effort to keep the highway passable and safe. Can you Drive to Gates of the Arctic National Park? Northwest Travel & Life Magazine represents trust and inspires a passion for Experiencing All Things Northwest., 2022 - Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, iditarod.com/resources/about/headquarters, Bellingham, Washington: Salish Sea Playground, A Craft Brew mecca: Kitsap Peninsula, Washington, Catch the Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks, Alaska. There are long stretches without towns and services, but there are also plenty of places to stop along the highway. Road Trip from Vancouver to Anchorage, Alaska. Camping along the way? It's well worth heading into central Alaska to see more of what this dazzling state has to offer. Detour off the highway onto Highway 1 to Palmer, your home for the night. Who gets more snow Anchorage or Fairbanks? Make sure your tires are in good condition and carry chains with you just in case. We are the usable and sensible guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region. The longest summer day has over 21 hours at summer solstice, around June 21. Any bus tours that might be open this early in the season on a Saturday afternoon? On the other hand, if you get a nice day, your experience will be crisp and crystal clear. Wildlife viewing is not an emergency. Farther up the highway, at the braided mouth of the Knik River, you will pass a vast open area called the Palmer Hay Flats. Fairbanks to Anchorage drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. We respect your privacy. Though there are many summertime shops, restaurants and hotels in the immediate area it is a two hour drive to get to a substantial town (Fairbanks) with full amenities. That brings concerts, plenty of local goods, and the world-famous, massive vegetables that have grown all summer long under the midnight sun. Search for Seattle flights on KAYAK now to find the best deal. It is a five hour drive to get to the state's major airport hub in Anchorage. Search for RV campgrounds. Alternatively, there are plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage to Fairbanks. In Alaska, very few trees turn red. Whether you catch it under a blanket of snow or lit by the midnight sun, you're sure to find something to enjoy in this welcoming community. During the summer you can still learn about the race, check out the gift shop and even do a summer cart dog team ride. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. What is certain is that the days are shorter. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. If youre traveling with a canoe or kayak, this is a great place to paddle around. You could head toward Chena Hotsprings and have a soak in the hot waters. The scenery provides plenty of reason to road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, but if you have time to make some stops, there are some great places to stretch your legs, learn about something new, see even more amazing scenery and wildlife and grab a bite to eat. Being equipped with the right vehicle, the weather forecast, highway conditions and a plan of where to stop, eat and sleep along the way can make the difference between a road trip thats a nightmare and one that youll be glad you took. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc.. This includes spectacular views of Denali (on a clear day, anyway) as the train hugs the Susitna River coming out of Talkeetna, as well as the gorgeous Indian River Valley and the 294-foot-high bridge at Hurricane Gulch. Fairbanks, AK, is the place to be during the weekend if you . About 100 miles north of Anchorage youll see signs for the Talkeetna Spurr Road turn off, take the exit to the right and follow for about 14 miles where youll end up in tiny, walkable Talkeetna. Related: Denali National Park Planning Guide. Click on any question to see answers from the community! On a clear day you can see Denali and the Alaska Range. Healy (4 answers) Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Thanks for any help! But if you can't, September could be great." For most travelers, Southeast Alaska means cruisingand cruising in September offers just as much of a gamble as a land tour. Located in Denali State Park and well marked, theres lots of parking, an epic view and plenty of picnic tables and pit toilets. Hi- My family and I are looking to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks in early March and were wondering what the road conditions were like. It is also home to the Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a large area with many small lakes. Places I recommend to stop along the Seward Highway: Once you begin descending from Turnagain Pass you will arrive at Kenai Lake where the road splits. Get to driving,Denali National Parksits about another 2.5 hours and 145 miles north along the Parks Highway. As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. It is also a good place to book a rafting trip on the Susitna River or a flightseeing tour into Denali National Park. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. It is the second largest city in the state after Anchorage. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! Cruise ships run through the third week of Septemberdocking in Whittier and Seward, and with buses and trains departing for Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali and Fairbanks. Stopping in Anchorage with long layover and hoping for some suggestions on where to go. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Trails near the park entrance and winter visitor center are color-coded by difficulty level, so you can easily determine the snowshoe route thats best for you. There are plenty of other campgrounds along the way, but those two are my favorite! Local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear. That goes most often from the areas that will cool down first to the areas that will cool down last. Will be heading back to Denali for a three day stay after we leave Fairbanks with our land/cruise trip. Meanwhile, the national park starts offering abbreviated versions of their summer bus toursbasically, the tours only drive as far into the park as you can go without seeing signs of winter along the road (as in, snow). You can even do a guided walk or hike here to learn even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska. Those who want to go further can explore further up the ridges on Mt Healy. Selected excursions, transportation (like the railroad), and lodges offer shoulder season pricing in September--but not all do. Check out the following posts in the One Week In Alaska series: Start shopping plans over atbattleface, my go-to travel insurance choice, or over atWorld Nomads. The arts community is active in the winter with concerts, plays and more at the towns Don Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. What is the snowiest city in Alaska? You walk to the counter inside the airport (admittedly it's a long walk in Anchorage) and then walk directly out to the garage. If you are away from the road (such as in Denali National Park) then you will be mostly without service. drive for about 2 hours, 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) The program proved to be an enormous success due to the valleys rich soil, the midnight-sun growing season and the heartiness and determination of the farmers. If the mountain is out, youre in for an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of North Americas tallest peak. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Make sure you check road conditions From glaciers to the tallest mountain in North America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and everything in between. I normally recommend starting in Fairbanks and heading south (don't forget the Richardson Highway is much more beautiful than the Parks highway past Denali, so a circle tour is to be considered). 359 mi Total Distance 7 hrs 7 mins Drive Time 30 stops Cities / Attractions It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. If you can afford it, I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one of the air taxi companies based in Talkeetna. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing. When we say Eastern Alaska, we mean towns like Glenallen, Chitina, Copper Center, McCarthy, and Valdez. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. The Eagle River Nature Center is a beautiful area just outside of Anchorage with beautiful landscapes, wildlife and hiking trails. The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. Anchorage, Alaska. Nauti Otter Inn & Yurt Village|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeHarbor 360 Hotel|Booking.com|Agoda.com|, Seward Windsong Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. This quirky former tourist attraction offers visitors the eerie experience of seeing a completely abandoned hotel and marks the halfway point between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Set out on the Parks Highway from Anchorage. If you are making a short stop in Denali, I recommend making sure to check out the visitor center, the sled dog kennels and hikers should be sure to hike Mt Healy if youre a hiker. These cookies do not store any personal information. The bus is a cheaper option than the train, and there are a range of providers. Hatcher Pass is a very worthwhile detour, but it does add some time. *Note: there is no fee to enter the national park or visit the glacier. Drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage 6h 36m $65 - $95 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Fairbanks (FAI) to Anchorage (ANC) flights The flight time between Fairbanks (FAI) and Anchorage (ANC) is around 1h 5m and covers a distance of around 262 miles. And because many operators don't discount September, we advise you not to let saving a few bucks be the reason you come then. Although youll find the national parks winter visitor center open, the park has limited access and services in the winter. Fairbanks is a gateway to the great Alaskan wilderness on its doorstep, such as the trails and wildlife of the Chena River State Recreation Area. It is also inside the Kesugi Ken Campground. It's extremely convenient and easy to rent a car at Alaska airports. So, if you want to experience the entire park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. You can check them out on your own, or opt for a guided excursion or overnight experience. Narrated bus tours range from $80.75 to $194.00 per person (kids 15yo and under range from $33.50 to $92.00 per kid). We locals call these early snows Termination Dust, as in signaling the end of summer and that old man winter is just around the corner. Once you are well-rested, grab a quick brunch(BearstoothandSnow Cityare some of my faves), and run by a store to grab any supplies youll need before heading south on the Seward Highway. A $10 per person pass fee will be charged per visitor at the entrance of the park. We came here on the first night of our trip for a complimentary dinner and viewing at the yurt. It's okay, you can start planning your Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks. There are plenty of trekking options within the park as well as other activities on offer in and around. You can also follow this itinerary via passenger train, minus the stop in Eklutna. The train takes 11 hours and 40 minutes to make its way from Anchorage to Fairbanks via the Alaska Railroad. There's a pretty good chance you'll see the Northern lights here (during the aurora borealis peak time between September and April) because it's far from the city and it's super dark. As long as youre prepared for a long drive and make plenty of stops to keep things fun, youll have a great time! Fairbanks to Anchorage Road Trip Link two of Alaska's largest cities together in this 360-mile road trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage, with stops in Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Eklutna along the way. And the color is gorgeous: youll see a nice mix of the bright yellow deciduous trees in the lower elevations near the park entrance, and as you get into the park and the tundra emerges, youll see a vibrant, deep red. The train and bus take longer and run less frequently, but offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. A little further gets you to Denali National Park, the home of North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. Fairbanks is located just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Hotels and restaurants at Denali Village are closed in winter, so youll need to drive about 12 more miles up the Parks Highway to the town of Healy for winter lodging and dining (denalichamber.com). Required fields are marked *. In addition to incredible landscapes, you can visit the historic independence mine. Logout Entries Feed For a list of incorporated places, see List of incorporated places in . Feel free to ask them any questions, theyre very helpful. Both are reservable and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. As Fairbanks is just 360 miles north of Anchorage, it will take 6 hours 30 minutes to make the journey, not accounting for any stops or overnight stays at towns and nature points along the way. The highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged terrain. There are also hiking trails in the area for exploring. Driving the Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives you'll ever take. In between there are additional gas stations and lodges. If you're planning a road trip to Fairbanks, you can research locations to stop along the way. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Check out myAnchorage Travel Guidefor ideas. Want a relaxing way to spend your last bit of time in Alaska? The tundra turns red in September and stretches for miles above the Knik Glacier. Accommodation: 14 nights. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. Thompson Pass is a 2,600 foot-high (855 meter-high) gap in the Chugach Mountains northeast of Valdez, Alaska. On the other, the tundra can glow bright red--and smell fragrant beyond words. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. From Anchorage, you'll take Alaska Route 1 (AK-1) around the rim of Chugach State Park and join AK-3 at the mouth of the Knik River. Im happy to have found this article. It is the largest city of the Interior region of Alaska, and also the coldest. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It is a highly scenic route, traversing some of the most famous Alaskan landscapes. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 5, 2023. So, if you want to experience this area, you just have to come in the early part of the month. (See our How to Budget article for more tips on cutting costs). The centers focus is natural-history education and recreation, specifically in the vast Chugach State Park. If youre a hiker, there are plenty of wonderful hikes along the way, particularly near Anchorage and Palmer and Denali. Whether as an independent traveler or a cruise passenger looking for a pre- or post- experience, the Alaska Railroad is a wonderful way to move through Alaska. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Talkeetna (6 answers) Depending on where you intend to go, September plays out differently--sometimes for the better, sometimes the worse. Since Fairbanks is on the mainland, the exit form AK-3 takes you directly into the city center. From glaciers to the tallest mountain in North America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and everything in between. next trip! Tour Code: 1517CTA. Duration: 15 days. Glennallen, at mile 115 is the junction with the Glenn Highway to Anchorage. Nenana is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the Tanana River. The demographics have changed a little by September, too (more families with small kids, since bigger kids have gone back to school). You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Girdwood is great to visit in the fall. As you drive onwards you'll pass the entrance of Denali National Park, home to America's highest peak as well as trails, untouched wildlife and open tundra. Check availability on Alaska Airlines (typically 6-7 flights daily). Big ship or small ship? Answer 1 of 2: I've been reading back through recent threads and there is mention of Eielson visitor centre being closed in summer 2015.

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