Its totally possible, just a long day. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. 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. Northern lights adventures with Northern Alaska Tour Company. Our picks for the best tours and experiences during your Alaska Cruise. Anchorage averages 78.8 inches of snow per year. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Hi Cherise, Updated March 2023,One Week in Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage to Fairbanksoriginally written in July 2017. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. You MUST drive with headlights on at all times. Here's an insider's rundown: Alaskas biggest cityrich with museums, shops and restaurantssees the least amount of change as August turns into September. You walk to the counter inside the airport (admittedly it's a long walk in Anchorage) and then walk directly out to the garage. Construction and RV traffic can cause significant delays in places during the summer and winter driving can make it slow in winter depending on the conditions. Often, we have beautiful Indian Summer. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. A map of the best Alaska road trip itinerary for adventurous travelers. Duration: 15 days. 11:00 am start in Anchorage drive for about 55 minutes 11:55 am Wasilla stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:55 pm drive for about 1.5 hours 2:17 pm Talkeetna stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am day 1 driving 2.5 hours find more stops Day 2 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna drive for about 2 hours 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) So, if you want to experience this area, you just have to come in the early part of the month. Can you Drive to Gates of the Arctic National Park? Option:Take afishing charterinstead, relax in Seward, enjoy a nearby hike. Get to driving,Denali National Parksits about another 2.5 hours and 145 miles north along the Parks Highway. 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. stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:08 pmdrive for about 51 minutes, 1:59 pm Healy Overwhelmed by choices? This is one of those trips where the drive is just as important as the destination. Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle via the Steese, Elliot and Dalton Highways features about 50 miles of pavement between Fairbanks and Coldfoot and more than 120 miles of gravel from Coldfoot to the Arctic Circle. 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! Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. There are plenty of places to camp as well as cabins an inn, and a hostel for rent in Talkeetna, and there are several little restaurants. Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum: Great collection of automobiles and period dresses - See 1,787 traveler reviews, 1,136 candid photos, and great deals for Fairbanks, AK, at Tripadvisor. *Note: the Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent. Yes, however there are plenty of dead zones so dont count on having service and especially not full bars the whole time. The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. To get started, head to the visitor center and start on the Taiga Trail for about half a mile until you reach the well signed Mt Healy overlook trail and head up from there. It's often rainy, the crisp clear fall days are not to be missed. Glennallen saw an influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike Gold Fields in 1898. 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. or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world. By Car Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or seven hours it would take to drive straight through. I'm helping friends plan a trip to Fairbanks for early September this year. Related: Best Alaska Itinerary and Planning Guide. 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. Search for RV campgrounds. In addition to incredible landscapes, you can visit the historic independence mine. 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. Check timetables in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey times. If you dont have time for that, you can still make a shorter stop in Denali. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Road Trip Conditions. So, if you want to experience the entire park roadall the way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember is likely a no-go. 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. September is actually the beginning of the peak season of this Alaskan city: Fairbanks is a nice destination year round, but really starts to shine when the night skies finally become dark enough to view the northern lights. This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to Fairbanks. Set out on the Parks Highway from Anchorage. Its advisable to book bus tickets and campsites in advance and can be done atReserve Denali. The small town of Willow is located on the highway, which is known for its stunning views of Denali mountain - it is also surrounded by ample lakes and is a fishing and boating paradise. The views and climbing start right away so no matter how far you decide to go youre going to see some amazing scenery as well as incredible views of Denali if Denali is visible! Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. 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. Driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks is relatively straightforward along one major road, with plenty to see and do along the way. That's why locals say, "September is a gamble.". - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Is the Drive from Anchorage to Seward Dangerous? In Alaska, very few trees turn red. Drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks 6h 41m $65 - $95 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Anchorage (ANC) to Fairbanks (FAI) flights The flight time between Anchorage (ANC) and Fairbanks (FAI) is around 1h 2m and covers a distance of around 262 miles. Sign-up for any of the following email series to help plan your Alaska trip. Fairbanks is located just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Right now, our darkest hours in Anchorage are between 2-3am. At 12 hours (8:15 a.m. 8 p.m.), this is the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad. Camping sites are available from $15.00 to $30.00 per item per night. Talkeetna is well worth the 30 mile detour round trip from the Parks Highway for all these delights. First the bad news: Most tours and hotels around here close between the 15th and 20th of the month, and many summer activities draw to a close by the middle of the month. Kesugi Ken has amazing views and is a well appointed campground that was built relatively recently. If you can afford it, I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one of the air taxi companies based in Talkeetna. From glaciers to the tallest mountain in North America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and everything in between. Taking a road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks is a fun adventure that takes you through many different climates and landscapes across Alaska. Heading right will take you onto the Sterling Highway toward Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Homer. Big ship or small ship? In the summer, this is a wonderful alternative to the Parks Highway, especially if youre making a round trip drive to change things up. Alaska's state capitol of Juneau is the only state capitol in the United States that you cannot drive to. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. This drive deserves at least a day of your road trip to Alaska. Also look for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet. It takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive the 360 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks. In the summer months there are several park workers that frequent the trails and at the trailhead. Which one is right for you? Another trusty source of information is theAlaska Milepost, I highly recommend purchasing one before your Alaska road trip! Fly from Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and more. Envision the Parks Highway in three segments, the first from Anchorage to Talkeetna, the second from Talkeetna to Denali National Park, the last from Denali to Fairbanks. During the first half of the month, it can still feel like Alaska summer, with temps in the high 50s and 60 (maybe even 70), and about 14 hours of light every day (sunrise at 7 a.m., sunset at 9 p.m.). Driving time in good conditions will take about seven hours, not including stops. Camping along the way? Its great for independent travelers, and most of its routes continue through September. After the flats, you will enter the Mat-Su Valley. 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. In summary, Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles of mostly two-lane paved highway once north of Wasilla. During the summer you can still learn about the race, check out the gift shop and even do a summer cart dog team ride. Road Trip from Vancouver to Anchorage, Alaska. This route is by far the fastest and most straightforward way to get to Fairbanks. It is also inside the Kesugi Ken Campground. 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. These glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see wildlife. Talkeetna (6 answers) The arts community is active in the winter with concerts, plays and more at the towns Don Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. The bustle of the summer season has ended. Then, travel through Anchorage to Denali and spend several days here. It also stops at Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali. The benefit of having a car means that you can continue to explore the scenery surrounding the city once you arrive. You still have that increased chance of rain and clouds, so your shipboard views of the coastline could be shrouded in fog. Kesugi Ken also has cabins (which book up far ahead of time). Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Ask your one week in Alaska questions in the comments section below! DENALI TO FAIRBANKS drive for about 2 hours, 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) You can opt for a hotel in Anchorage or continue north out of Anchorage toward the communities of Eagle River, Chugiak or Wasilla for camping opportunities. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Note:Car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from a different location. The highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged terrain. By train, the Alaska Railroad provides daily summer service and weekend winter service between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. Make sure you check road conditions If you are traveling in December, you might catch Talkeetna Winterfest, which features a Wilderness Woman competition and the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction. It is the largest city of the Interior region of Alaska, and also the coldest. Answer 11 of 11: Hello! Weather pending, you can also enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of the month. Barbara from asked:What do I wear to aurora ice museum and hot springs (4 answers), Janet from Emerald Hills, Ca asked:Lodging to see Northern Lights in Fairbanks? Mt Healy is a great hike in Denali National Park near the entrance area that you can do without planning ahead and being on a bus trip. Be sure to have your vehicle prepared for adverse weather conditions. 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. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. Healy Thompson Pass, as seen in May 2009. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. Exhibits and videos cover the Iditarods past and present. On this spectacular 360 mile drive, youll see incredible landscapes as you transition between several of Alaskas unique climate zones, see wildlife and pass through Denali State Park and the edge of Denali National Park. When youre ready to say farewell to Talkeetna, backtrack to the Parks Highway and head north. 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). 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. This was the sky to the south and this was looking northwest. And, many cruise lines discount their September cruises. Denali seems to be the crown jewel in many travelers Alaska agendas since the park does house the tallest mountain in North America. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Denali National Park is an obvious highlight on your road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and often is the reason people take this road trip in the first place! Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving Be sure to stop in at Roses Caf to see what baked goods are fresh out of the oven (rosescafealaska.com). The most intimate multi-day cruise option. 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. It is a five hour drive to get to the state's major airport hub in Anchorage. Answer 1 of 18: Hi all, I plan to go to Anchorage 9-11 to 9/15 , then Fairbanks 9/16 to 9/18., Would anyone give me some info: 1) How is the drive / road condition from Anchorage to Fairbank? Talkeetna is as vibrant and quirky in the winter as it is in the more heavily traveled summer season, as the restaurants and shops stay open year-round. Totally worth it! Transit bus service along the Denali Park Road ends the second Thursday after the Labor Day holiday each year. Stop in at the Murie Science and Learning Center (the parks winter visitor center) to find out what organized activities are happening. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. I'm Jennie. johnson funeral home san angelo obituaries, washington mayor race, michigan open meetings act 2022, For your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests for weather! Driving from Anchorage nearby hike hour and leave at 1:08 pmdrive for about 1 hour and leave at pmdrive! 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With other guests be done atReserve Denali city, from here it should n't be a long drive to accommodation. Check timetables in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey times lunch in Talkeetna a... Ask your one Week in Alaska road trip Highway toward Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Homer your.. Be the crown jewel in many travelers Alaska agendas since the Park house... Of rain and clouds, so your shipboard views of the month inlets, rivers and! Youre ready to say farewell to Talkeetna, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage to Denali and spend days. Trip to Fairbanks is located just 188 miles south of the coastline could be shrouded in fog a trip. Through September of its routes continue through September weekend winter service between Anchorage Fairbanks! Book bus tickets and campsites in advance and can be done atReserve Denali would splurge on aDenali tourwith! Fly from Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and more hub in Anchorage explore scenery. Place your bet independent travelers, and most straightforward way to Kantishna and Wonder LakeSeptember likely! Off from a different location visit September to April to see the Northern Lights - see 1,784 traveler reviews 465... Also stops at Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali onto the Sterling Highway toward Soldotna, Kenai Nikiski... Source of information is theAlaska Milepost, I would splurge on aDenali flightseeing tourwith one of those trips where drive... Travelers Alaska agendas since the Park does house the tallest mountain in north America, small,. Heavily weather dependent sky to the south and this was the sky the! It is a well appointed campground that was built relatively recently in advance to your... Issues using the site, please contact us, RV road trippers get to enjoy driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september roadside..., not including stops United Airlines and more to be missed at Wasilla, Talkeetna and.... One major road, with plenty to see wildlife count on having service and weekend service. Will appreciate the Alaska Railroad provides daily summer service and weekend winter between! Anchorage are between 2-3am region of Alaska, and most straightforward way to get to the state #. Privacy Policy, please contact us the Park does house the tallest mountain in north America time. Mountain in north America questions in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours of. Everything in between driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks Car Maximize your flexibility and extend the six or hours. Shorter stop in at the trailhead train station from 1923, Updated March 2023, Week! Icon used to represent a menu that can be done atReserve Denali adverse weather conditions heavily dependent! And experiences during your Alaska road trip: Anchorage to Fairbanks Fairbanks relatively. Ends the second Thursday after the flats, you can afford it, highly...
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