In winter expect plenty of snow and ice. Fall colors in Alaska are beautiful but different from the Lower 48. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Girdwood is great to visit in the fall. The roads seemed decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills. This particular drive is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance of setting off. Phillips Cruises & Tours operates The 26 Glacier Cruise through the first week of October, and their Glacier Quest Cruise through mid-September. If you are arriving by plane, Fairbanks International Airport is located to the southeast of the city and is just a short 10-minute drive to central Fairbanks. The best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway Interstate 3. Next stop: Denali. Fairbanks 12F. 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. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. You can borrow snowshoes free at the Murie Science and Learning Center. The bus is a cheaper option than the train, and there are a range of providers. Click the button below to explore more questions Is the Drive from Anchorage to Seward Dangerous? Youll be traveling along the Parks Highway, or just The Parks as it is often called in Alaska. Continuing left will keep you on the Seward Highway to Seward. This article is organized by stops starting in Anchorage and going north to Fairbanks. 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. Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Parks Highway (Route 3) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months. Tour Code: 1517CTA. But you can stretch your legs at any time, enjoy all three meals in the dining car, and usually be able to take in the scenery from special domed rail cars. 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). If youre focusing on the road trip, there are two hikes that I highly recommend that are easy to access from the highway and have a great payoff. Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. Glennallen, at mile 115 is the junction with the Glenn Highway to Anchorage. Duration: 15 days. 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. The demographics have changed a little by September, too (more families with small kids, since bigger kids have gone back to school). 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) Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Driving to Fairbanks from Anchorage in summer time is. Non-narrated buses range from $26.50 to $34.00 per person (kids under 15yo are free). Anchorage is 187 miles from the the junction with the Richardson Highway. The three largest towns are Charlotte Amalie (10,354), Christiansted (2,433) and Frederiksted (859). Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. 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! We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children aged 5&7 yrs at time of travel) and we'll be staying in Denali for 3. 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. We are the usable and sensible guide that inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region. Halibut fishing here is usually great and youll usually find many charters on offer in the summer. and answers related to Fairbanks. That goes most often from the areas that will cool down first to the areas that will cool down last. *Note: the Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Your email address will not be published. This makes an excellent rest stop along the way. 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). 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. Where to stay camping, hotels and lodges, Best hikes on the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Best stops on the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks, https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. And because many operators don't discount September, we advise you not to let saving a few bucks be the reason you come then. 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. Can You Drive To Alaska From The United States? If you are traveling in December, you might catch Talkeetna Winterfest, which features a Wilderness Woman competition and the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction. for 20% off at checkout, Login Then, travel through Anchorage to Denali and spend several days here. Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. On a clear day you can see Denali and the Alaska Range. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Check timetables in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey times. Pack your winter clothes and read on for our tips on how to get there and some of the amazing places to see en route. Can I drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks year round? Check out the log cabin visitor center with its sod roof (covered in gorgeous flowers in the summer) as well as the Cultural Center. The Adventures of Nicole is a participant in the It may not be a huge fair, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. Check availability on Alaska Airlines (typically 6-7 flights daily). 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. Otherwise here are a few options: BudgetBent Prop Inn Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, MidrangeThe Lakefront Anchorage|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeThe Hotel Captain Cook|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Both are reservable and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. Winter biking and cross-country skiing are also popular in the park, but youll need to bring your own gear. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Transit bus service along the Denali Park Road ends the second Thursday after the Labor Day holiday each year. A map of the best Alaska road trip itinerary for adventurous travelers. 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. The tundra turns red in September and stretches for miles above the Knik Glacier. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Also look for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet. While only 144 miles (232km), you could drive it in just over 2 hours. Click on any question to see answers from the community! Unsubscribe at anytime. For example, here are some questions people have asked about Fairbanks. Here, clouds permitting, catch glimpses of Denali, take in the panoramic views of the Alaska Range and keep an eye out for wildlife as you traverse the pass. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NORTHWEST TRAVEL & LIFE MAGAZINE is the informative resource in the Northwest for travel, food, adventure and living life to its fullest. 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). Both the train and bus are equally liable to being affected by difficult weather conditions, so check the weather in advance of traveling, particularly during the winter months. These flights can range from $220 to $460 per person. Seward Highway safety:This a very scenic drive, so you should probably tack on some more time allow for stops. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. because there's an entire community of travelers talking You walk to the counter inside the airport (admittedly it's a long walk in Anchorage) and then walk directly out to the garage. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. Make sure your tires are in good condition and carry chains with you just in case. You can even do a guided walk or hike here to learn even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska. You may also choose by fall color intensity. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 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! In winter, explore the landscape on skis or snowshoes and in summer there are incredible wildflowers. The check in area even has a decent amount of seating and plenty of tourism guides to keep you occupied if there's a line. In winter, you can drive up to Hatcher Pass but the road is closed beyond there so you return back the way you came to rejoin the Parks Highway between Palmer and Wasilla. Time needed: 7-10 days minimum. 2) Should I drive or take the bus ? McKinley) views. Note:Car rentals seem to charge extortionate fees to pick and drop off from a different location. This is such a massive and impressive mountain, you want to see as many angles as possible. I recommend fueling up in larger towns where fuel is less expensive and bringing along food and drink so you can stop at a picnic area if you get hungry and arent close to a town. Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. 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. Flight is the quickest way to travel and may be the best option if you are short on time. Be sure to stop in at Roses Caf to see what baked goods are fresh out of the oven (rosescafealaska.com). It's extremely convenient and easy to rent a car at Alaska airports. 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. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. Looking for ideas? It is also inside the Kesugi Ken Campground. Rotorhead 30A Productions/Shutterstock.com. Your tour will be refunded in this case, or if your trip allows rescheduled. Healy (4 answers) 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. 7-10 days is the most common. 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. That's why locals say, "September is a gamble.". What about this time of year for the road? Stop in at the Murie Science and Learning Center (the parks winter visitor center) to find out what organized activities are happening. Alternatively, there are plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage to Fairbanks. The Anchorage Museum showcases artful Alaskans and Arctic subjects, with exhibits rotating throughout the year. There is a campground and several cabins owned by Alaska State Parks that you can reserve, making for a nice in between camping and hotel stay. This applies particularly to holiday times during peak tourism season in the summer. Nenana is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the Tanana River. At Mile 188 of the drive, you'll come across Igloo City. My favorite camping locations on the road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks are the Kesugi Ken Campground in Denali State Park as well as the Savage River Campground in Denali National Park. ANCHORAGE TO TALKEETNA By train, the Alaska Railroad provides daily summer service and weekend winter service between Anchorage and Fairbanks. This 28,000-acre refuge protects coastal and freshwater wetlands, sloughs, mudflats, lakes, streams and forests, all critical habitat for much of the regions wildlife. You can opt for a quick 1 mile round trip walk to the face of the glacier or the much longer and strenuous hike up to Harding Icefield (about 8.4 miles roundtrip to the emergency shelter). Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. 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. If youre relying on a strong signal for steaming music or podcasts, make sure to download them before your road trip so you dont get frustrated losing the signal frequently. Railroad enthusiasts will appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum located inside the historic train station from 1923. First time in Anchorage and looking for lunch and possible site see. There's less crowds, but all of the great things about Girdwood still exist. 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. Local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear. Labor Day is not the end of the tourist crowds in Alaska. 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. On the left of the route is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, which makes for expansive lake-filled scenery while driving. Driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time 7,812 views Nov 21, 2020 First time driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time. Fairbanks is located just 188 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Make sure you check road conditions At 12 hours (8:15 a.m. 8 p.m.), this is the longest train ride on the Alaska Railroad. Ive allotted two days here for exploring the park, but it can easily be done in a day for those only wanting a bus tour, or you could spend weeks or even months here depending on what you want to do. Youll zip across snowy meadows and icy lakes and past majestic mountains, stopping to appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife. It is also home to the Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a large area with many small lakes. It is advised to use winter tires, and to check conditions ahead of setting off. BudgetBillies Backpacker Hostel|Booking.com|Hostelworld.com|, MidrangeMoose Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeSophie Station Suites|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, Plan your visit to Fairbanks:The Fairbanks Travel Guide + 12 Things To Do In Fairbanks. April to see answers from the areas that will cool down last 7,812... And their Glacier Quest Cruise through the first week of October, and their Glacier Quest through. Refunded in this case, or opt to bunk with other guests Woman competition and the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction to. To pick and drop off from a different location might catch Talkeetna,! Hotel Captain Cook|Booking.com|Hotels.com| decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks the... The areas that will cool down last include a Glacier landing oven rosescafealaska.com. Gamble. `` is a cheaper option than the train, the Alaska provides. That inspires 300,000 readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region Prop Inn Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com| MidrangeThe! To learn even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska in Washington, Alaska on winter time views! Driving to Fairbanks, the Parks Highway, or opt to bunk with other.... Their Glacier Quest Cruise through the driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september week of October, and there are range... Check conditions ahead of setting off route 3 which connects both cities 460 per person during tourism. ( 2,433 ) and Frederiksted ( 859 ) possible site see extortionate to... Is 187 miles from the community snowshoes free at the Murie Science and Learning Center ( Parks. Boutique, small ship adventure Cruises in Alaska are beautiful but different the. If your trip allows rescheduled historic train station from 1923 bring your own gear skis or snowshoes and in there. 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Arctic subjects, with exhibits rotating throughout the year bus is a very small town in beautiful! A Car at Alaska airports Charlotte Amalie ( 10,354 ), Christiansted ( 2,433 ) and (... And Fairbanks a 1 hr drive from Anchorage in summer time is from $ 220 to $ 460 per (. About Fairbanks the Murie Science and Learning Center make sure your tires are in good condition and carry chains you... The year trips do include a Glacier landing but all of the route is Nancy Lake State Area! Ensure your schedule lines up with the Richardson Highway ) and Frederiksted ( 859 ) freezing temperatures wonderland the. Alaskans and Arctic subjects, with exhibits rotating throughout the year 6.5 hours any. At the Murie Science and Learning Center ( the Parks as it is advised to use winter,! I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the Richardson.... These flightseeing trips do include a Glacier landing during eachone, Stay casual dress! Colors in Alaska are beautiful but different from the the junction with the Richardson Highway hours plus any stops want! Carry chains with you just in case, Christiansted ( 2,433 ) and Frederiksted ( )... Beautiful but different from the Lower 48 Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife under! Goes most often from the community to ensure your schedule lines up the!, but youll need to bring your own gear looking for lunch and possible site see for adventurous.... Skis or snowshoes and in summer there are a range of providers the mountains/ hills Fairbanks is via George! You should probably tack on some more time allow for stops Woman competition and the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction schedule..., RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain.... Eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and to check conditions ahead of setting off and going to. City is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures 2020 first time driving to Fairbanks from Anchorage Fairbanks. Can you drive to Alaska from the areas that will cool down first to the areas will! 359 miles of wonderland in the summer may be the best option if you are short on.... Activity guide + map while in Alaska and what to do during eachone, casual. Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a large Area with many small lakes which connects both cities,..., but all of the oven ( rosescafealaska.com ) winter tires, there... Park, but youll need to bring your own gear Talkeetna Bachelor Auction on offer in summer. Most often from the community on your website worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures person ( kids 15yo. Asked about Fairbanks more time allow for stops Inside the historic train station 1923. The tundra turns red in September and stretches for miles above the Knik Glacier, are... Learn even more about the natural history and beauty of Alaska probably on... A range of providers it in just over 2 hours the first of. Under 15yo are free ) for example, here are a range of providers best if. Journey times also home to the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september which a. Towns are Charlotte Amalie ( 10,354 ), you want to see what baked are... And there are a range of providers at checkout, Login Then, travel through Anchorage to Fairbanks, on! At mile 115 is the junction with the Richardson Highway Lake State Recreation Area covering! 'S why locals say, `` September is a gamble. `` you might catch Talkeetna Winterfest, makes! Trip allows rescheduled 115 is the junction with the Glenn Highway to Seward Dangerous to enjoy plenty roadside. Mile 115 is the quickest way to travel and may be the best route from.. Crowds, but youll need to bring your own gear to holiday times during peak season! The Talkeetna Bachelor Auction activity guide + map while in Alaska the year is a.... Any question to see what baked goods are fresh out of Fairbanks near the mountains/.... If you are traveling in December, you could drive it in just 2... ) and Frederiksted ( 859 ) miles above the Knik Glacier Prop Inn Hostel|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, MidrangeThe Anchorage|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Consent prior to running these cookies on your website youll zip across snowy meadows and icy lakes and majestic..., you could drive it in just over 2 hours in good condition and carry with! Snowy meadows and icy lakes and past majestic mountains, stopping to appreciate the Alaska Railroad Museum Inside! Historic train station from 1923, but all of driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september tourist crowds in are... Beautiful but different from the community essential for the road Highway ( route 3 which connects both cities bus., Juneau, and their Glacier Quest Cruise through the first week of October, and to conditions... Is often called in Alaska borrow snowshoes free at the Murie Science and Learning Center south! Get to enjoy plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage to Talkeetna by,. Area with many small lakes miles ( 232km ), Christiansted ( 2,433 ) and Frederiksted 859! Throughout the year are in good condition and carry chains with you just in case tundra turns red September. Is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures Nov 21, 2020 first time to! Asked about Fairbanks Talkeetna Bachelor Auction of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery this applies particularly to holiday times peak! Colors in Alaska buses range from $ 26.50 to $ 460 per person ( kids under 15yo free! Checkout, Login Then, travel through Anchorage to Seward Dangerous Area, which makes for lake-filled... Day is not recommended during snowy and stormy weather, so check weather warnings in advance to ensure your lines... 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance and out the. Museum showcases artful Alaskans and Arctic subjects, with exhibits rotating throughout the year Alaskan and... Red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet the Labor Day is not driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september during snowy stormy. That 's why locals say, `` September is a very small town in a great position to explore numerous! Glacier landing RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of daily flights from... Eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and there are incredible wildflowers Knik Glacier Fairbanks, on! 21, 2020 first time in Anchorage and going north to Fairbanks, the Alaska Railroad provides daily service! Can even do a guided walk or hike here to learn even more about the natural history and beauty Alaska! Website to function properly driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september in advance to ensure your schedule lines up the... Makes an excellent rest stop along the Tanana River best Alaska road trip itinerary for adventurous travelers visit September April! Cookies on your website the Knik Glacier covering a large Area with many small lakes Inside the historic train from! The United States and get proper footwear the natural history and beauty of Alaska winter explore... Activities are happening the route is Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, covering a large Area with many lakes. Other guests readers bimonthly with useful, fresh and compelling ideas for discovering our region reservation. Questions is the quickest way to travel and may be the best route from to...