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Winter in Alaska is magical. Suppose Aurora Borealis, strolling with reindeer, ice sculpting competitions, and canine sledding. After which there’s the winter driving in Alaska.
I used to be in Fairbanks, Alaska, final February for a convention and rented a car. Little did I do know that the principles of the highway for winter driving in Alaska may very well be so totally different from driving in my hometown of Denver. Nonetheless, I beloved having wheels and freedom to discover—at occasions, with white knuckles.
Although I dwell in Colorado, I’m not a fan of driving in snow. So, I listened carefully as a workers member with Discover Fairbanks shared recommendations on motoring round earlier than I picked up my rented 2020 Nissan Rogue.
Suggestions and recommendation for winter driving in Alaska
“Rule primary: Don’t brake,” suggested Amy Geiger, director of Communications with Discover Fairbanks.
“What?” I assumed to myself. “Don’t brake?”
I realized quickly sufficient that not braking is sweet recommendation. It’s greatest to not use your brakes to decelerate, or you would slide. Take your foot off the fuel, and also you’ll progressively decelerate.
Rule quantity two: “Don’t underneath any circumstances go previous a city named Livengood, about 60 miles north of Fairbanks,” Geiger continued. “You’ll find yourself on the Ice Highway.”
Suppose Ice Highway Truckers, the truth present the place truckers drive their rigs on routes that embody frozen lakes and rivers. The present provides me nightmares, and that’s the final place I wished to seek out myself. It’s distant, dangerous, and greatest left to the professionals.
I circled the city of Livengood on the map and marked it with a large X.
Rule quantity three: “Don’t merge too shortly. Individuals listed here are used to plenty of house, they usually don’t wish to be crowded.”
Geiger went over a number of extra of the commonsense fundamentals, resembling having additional meals, water, and blankets, and added that mobile phone service may very well be sketchy in sure areas outdoors of city.
“That’s about it,” Geiger mentioned with a smile. “Watch out, and have enjoyable.”
Winter Driving in Alaska
From our convention room, the place we had been staying at Pikes Waterfront Lodge, we made our solution to Alaska Auto Rental, the place workers handed out maps to the a number of of us renting autos. He additionally had a number of extra ideas: “Observe the tracks in entrance of you and drive together with your headlights on, day or evening.” Then, a workers member turned over the keys to a shiny new Nissan Rogue.
I beloved the car however quickly found that my Sorels, excellent for strolling on snow and ice, had been clumsy when driving. I couldn’t “really feel” the pedals. Later, I realized a tip from an area to produce other footwear or boots useful which can be much less awkward when driving.
I struggled as soon as I spotted that on wintery, cloudy days, snow-covered streets blended in with the colorless sky; there was no depth of area. I couldn’t appear to tell apart the place the medians had been. Therefore, I drove a lot slower than all the opposite site visitors.
To the credit score of each driver on the highway—not less than the day I used to be behind the wheel—not one particular person honked and even gave me the stink eye as they handed.
Take a look at my Alaska winter packing checklist for excessive temperatures.
What’s it wish to drive in Alaska in winter?
Fairbanks is a straightforward city to navigate, even with its many one-way streets. Nonetheless, I made the choice to not go away the town limits. With solely 24 hours to discover, I didn’t need the stress of heading down the freeway, not realizing the place or when the subsequent exit was. I’ve a horrible sense of path, and even with my telephone’s GPS, I didn’t wish to find yourself wherever close to the Ice Highway.
It’s important to plug in your automobile
After a few hours alone, I recruited one other convention attendee to hitch me in exploring the city. Within the foyer of our lodge, earlier than we walked to the parking zone, I requested her to remind me after we returned to plug within the automobile. She quizzed with a smile, “We now have a Tesla?”
As a Californian, she had even much less expertise than I did driving in snowy circumstances. However collectively, we had one of the best time maneuvering city, together with her navigating and me gripping the wheel on the 10:00 and a pair of:00 positions, as I realized in highschool drivers’ ed.
However neither of us had ever plugged in a automobile. Plugging in your car in Alaska is a part of life. It’s to forestall the engine from freezing. Seeing energy cables protruding the hood of autos can also be an on a regular basis sight. You plug the twine right into a block heater, which is in public locations, accommodations, and a few companies.
Roads are usually not salted in Alaska
One other tidbit I realized is that the town doesn’t use salt (in the event that they do, it’s sparingly) on streets. The salt could make its approach into native creeks and streams and hurt wildlife. Sand appears to be the higher possibility.
Whereas I couldn’t verify this, I’m unsure they plow a lot, both. As my buddy and I drove searching for sights to {photograph}, I mentioned, “Let’s go down this little avenue. Do you suppose they plow the aspect streets?”
“What do you imply?” she replied. “They don’t plow the predominant streets?”
She was proper, and we each giggled as we continued our seek for a breakfast place and a parking place. We discovered each. (The Crepery serves glorious salmon crepes and espresso. Parking in a close-by lot was simple.)
Earlier than I arrived in Fairbanks, I assumed getting an Uber was the most suitable choice. Not so. With staffing shortages and hovering fuel costs, Uber and Lyft drivers could be few and much between.
Learn my article about 29 Issues to Do in Fairbanks Alaska Summer time and Winter
Depend on native rides as a substitute of Uber
The excellent news is that each particular person in Fairbanks we met was pleasant and useful. One small enterprise proprietor even provided to shut the store and provides my buddy and me a journey when he heard me on the telephone making an attempt to rearrange a taxi. That’s small-town kindness at its greatest.
On the finish of the day, when it got here time to plug in (the corporate suggests plugging in if temperatures fall beneath zero), I requested somebody at Pikes Waterfront Lodge to assist, they usually gladly did.
Plugging within the automobile was simple sufficient. However I did make an observation to myself that evening: Bear in mind to unplug the automobile earlier than driving away the subsequent morning.
Driving Distances Past Fairbanks
Temperatures can fall nicely beneath zero, and guests should take all the things about winter driving in Alaska severely. The Alaska Division of Transportation recommends to test the highway circumstances earlier than you go.
Although I made a decision to not enterprise outdoors the town limits, a few of my colleagues did and had a wonderful expertise. Listed here are some choices to think about if you wish to discover past Fairbanks:
Chena Sizzling Springs
Chena Sizzling Springs is about 60 miles from Fairbanks on a paved, maintained highway; nevertheless, the freeway could be icy, and cell service is unpredictable. The excellent news is there’s a terrific probability to see moose, and the drive by way of the forest is attractive. (I made the journey in a van with a dozen of my colleagues and an area driver.) You may as well guide a shuttle with Chena Sizzling Springs Resort.
Dalton Freeway
The Dalton Freeway takes a number of days for those who drive all the way in which to the North Slope, and also you’ll be driving on the gravel a part of the way in which. Verify with the automobile rental firm first to verify they mean you can take the car on this journey. It is perhaps clever to think about this one for summer season journey, however everytime you go, you’ll have superb views and visits to cities stuffed with character and historical past, together with Coldfoot, Deadhorse, and Prudhoe Bay.
Richardson Freeway
As Alaska’s oldest freeway, the Richardson Freeway connects Fairbanks to Valdez and takes you thru Keystone Canyon to Worthington Glacier. You’ll have the ability to view the Alaska pipeline subsequent to the freeway as you drive from Valdez to Delta Junction. This journey takes planning and preparation, which suggests greater than packing an additional vitality bar. Locals pack gear for surprising (or intentional) tenting and cooking in a single day: spare tires, heat clothes, water, and a primary support equipment. And since fuel stations are typically far aside, make sure you all the time have sufficient fuel and don’t reduce it shut.
You’ll come throughout the Lodge at Black Rapids as you journey on the Richardson Freeway. It is a tremendous place to cease and benefit from the landscapes round you. You’ll be able to study extra concerning the Lodge at Black Rapids on this article.
Parks Freeway
The George Parks Freeway, also called the Parks Freeway, connects Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. This drive is filled with gorgeous surroundings and views of Denali and wildlife; it’s an epic Alaska highway journey. The Parks Freeway is well-traveled and maintained, even within the winter. If you wish to go to Denali Nationwide Park within the winter, you’ll take this route. Denali Nationwide Park is open within the winter – but only a few individuals go to. Truly – it’s partially open. The primary highway within the park is open so far as the Park Customer Middle. There, you’ll discover rangers to speak to, and you’ll even borrow…sure, borrow snowshoes and poles to go discover Denali Nationwide Park lined in snow! It’s a magical time to go to Denali, and also you’ll really feel like you have got it totally for your self!
How you can Hire a Automotive in Fairbanks for the Winter
The best approach is to easily hire a automobile on the airport. In the event you don’t wish to drive after a flight that arrives at midnight or later (which many do), some rental corporations will ship a car to your lodge.
All the automobile leases in Alaska can have winter tires, in order that’s a bonus. However in case you are actually hesitant or frightened about driving on salt-free, icy roads, then reserve a automobile with studded tires. These will present one of the best traction; nevertheless, it’ll additionally price extra to hire.
Be sure to know learn how to use the automobile plugin function, as that is one thing you’ll most certainly want to make use of. Additionally, earlier than you’re taking off from the airport, ensure that your rental has a heavy-duty ice/snow scraper. A tiny one gained’t do!
Recap of Alaska Winter Driving Suggestions
- Don’t brake; as a substitute, take your foot off the fuel.
- Don’t put on clunky boots; have an additional pair of driving footwear inside your automobile.
- Give individuals loads of house
- Hire a automobile with studs for additional security
- Plug in your automobile if it’s beneath zero
- Plan forward and be sure you have a full take of fuel
- Drive together with your headlights on day or evening
- Take a paper map with you as a result of cell connections are unreliable
- It’s all the time a good suggestion to let somebody know the place you’re going and if you anticipate to be again
- Pack additional meals, water, matches, and a blanket
- Guarantee you have got an ice scraper in your rental automobile.
The place to Keep If You Go to Fairbanks, Alaska, in Winter
Pikes Waterfront Lodge is the place to remain in Fairbanks. The lodge is a five-minute drive from the airport and gives a 24-hour shuttle service. Employees will counsel corporations who may also help in your quest to see the Northern Lights and can even place a name on to your room if there’s a sighting.
Extra Fairbanks, Alaska Winter Journey Suggestions
To name a taxi, strive Eagle & Yellow Cab at 907.455.5555 (about $15 from the Pikes Waterfront Lodge to downtown Fairbanks), Moose Taxi at 907.452.7000, or Pioneer Taxi at 907.987.0471.
Go to Discover Fairbanks for extra details about planning your journey to Fairbanks.
