(Sorry, this page may take a couple minutes to load. It contains just a couple pictures from our drive along the Al-Can, and so the page loads a little slower than the rest. Please be patient and I hope that you enjoy the pictures/page.)
One of the "Starting Points" of the Al-Can
The Alaska Highway was a rugged road when it opened for tourist traffic in 1948. The roadway was originally made to provide an over-land connection between Alaska and the Lower 48 during the bombing of Pearl Harbor (World War II).
The Al-Can is now a major travel attraction. If driving the Al-Can is the way you decide to arrive in Alaska, be well prepared. The stops for gas and food are far and few between. The road is most just a two-lane roadway between Alaska and Canada. There was still a lot of reconstruction and repairs being made on the Al-Can when we drove it in the summer of 1996, there were several times we were stopped for a short time while the construction/road workers “blasted” out parts of mountains.
How long is the Al-Can?
Well… Mile Zero post erected in Dawson Creek in 1946 show Fairbanks at Mile 1523
Another of the "Starting Points" of the Al-Can.
This is actually some of the family that was with us along our adventure of the Al-Can and the trip to Alaska. **left to right are: Pat (my mom), Katie (my sister), Allen (my brother), Larissa (my daughter), Chris (my son), Preston (my son), and to the far right is me, Dee**
What is the actual driving distance from Dawson Creek to Fairbanks? approximately 1,488 miles
1,190 miles of which are in Canada and 298 miles in the United States
The highest point Along the Al-Can is: Summit (Mile 392), elev. 4,250 feet/1,295 metres
The steepest grade is Steamboat Mountain at a 10% grade, Mile 351
Traveling/moving in the bus with belongings for 2 families, Steamboat sure took it's toll. There were times we were going up that we didn't think we would actually be able to make it. Our "top speed" at times was like 5mph.
When is the best time to travel the Al-Can?
In April there will still be snow and maybe ice on some parts of the roadway.
In May there are fewer people traveling… not as much traffic. Which I suppose has both good and bad points. Since the stops are few and far between, if broken down, it would be nice to have other travelers along the road to possibly help out.
In June you have more daylight in order to get better travel time/distances.
July is the busiest month on the highway, can also be the wettest
In August the scenery is changing. The trees losing their leaves, the nights getting cooler.
In September might be some snow in places is possible meaning less traffic on both roads and ferries.
In October there is too much snow and ice on the roads for me to consider driving the Al-Can. Although I suppose there are a few of you people that like adventure and may want to attempt this drive then.
In November there is alot less daylight to travel with as well as more snow and ice.
Hmmm… isn’t there a Family Holiday (Thanksgiving) in November? Maybe you would want to wait out the winter and spend the holiday with the family, postponing this trip til the snow melts… or at least consider flying into Alaska. *smile*
December is definitely NOT the month I would choose to drive the Al-Cal.
Christmas!! There is a reason to stay home, nice and warm and not out driving the Al-Can.
Of course I am NOT trying to tell/suggest that you not visit Alaska during the winter. The winters are nice there, with a lot of things to see and do.
I am just not suggesting that anyone actually drive the Al-Can during the winter months. If you do plan to drive during the winter months, please make sure that you are well prepared.
No matter when you plan to drive the Al-Can, there are ways to get information concerning weather conditions:
Anchorage, (907) 936-2525
Dawson Creek, BC, (250) 784-2244
Fairbanks, (907) 452-3553
Fort St. John, BC, to Watson Lake, YT, (250) 774-6461
Southeast Alaska, (907) 586-3997
Whitehorse, YT, (403) 668-6061
I bought a fridge magnet along the trip that kind of sums up some peoples thoughts concerning the Al-Can:
AlCan Highway
Winding in, winding out
fills my mind with serious
doubt. If the man who built
this road was going to hell
or coming out.
-- Troy L. Hise -- 1943
Yes, the road was long and dusting in some parts. Yes, things seem to actually cost you more the further North you get along the Al-Can. The long trip was otherwise a pretty good experience though.
Just a picture to show you how narrow the roads get sometimes along most of the Al-Can...
