This text might include affiliate hyperlinks the place I make a small fee for purchases you make from hyperlinks that you simply click on from this text. By buying by way of these hyperlinks, you help me at no extra price to you. Thanks in your help.
Winter in Alaska is magical. Assume 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 automobile. Little did I do know that the foundations of the street for winter driving in Alaska could possibly be so totally different from driving in my hometown of Denver. Nonetheless, I liked having wheels and freedom to discover—at instances, with white knuckles.
Although I reside in Colorado, I’m not a fan of driving in snow. So, I listened intently as a employees 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 nice recommendation. It’s greatest to not use your brakes to decelerate, or you possibly can slide. Take your foot off the fuel, and also you’ll steadily decelerate.
Rule quantity two: “Don’t beneath any circumstances go previous a city named Livengood, about 60 miles north of Fairbanks,” Geiger continued. “You’ll find yourself on the Ice Street.”
Assume Ice Street Truckers, the fact present the place truckers drive their rigs on routes that embrace frozen lakes and rivers. The present offers me nightmares, and that’s the final place I wished to search 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. Folks listed here are used to a number of house, and so they don’t wish to be crowded.”
Geiger went over just a few extra of the commonsense fundamentals, resembling having further meals, water, and blankets, and added that cellphone service could possibly be sketchy in sure areas outdoors of city.
“That’s about it,” Geiger stated with a smile. “Watch out, and have enjoyable.”
Winter Driving in Alaska
From our convention room, the place we have been staying at Pikes Waterfront Lodge, we made our technique to Alaska Auto Rental, the place employees handed out maps to the a number of of us renting automobiles. He additionally had just a few extra suggestions: “Comply with the tracks in entrance of you and drive along with your headlights on, day or night time.” Then, a employees member turned over the keys to a shiny new Nissan Rogue.
I liked the automobile however quickly found that my Sorels, good for strolling on snow and ice, have been clumsy when driving. I couldn’t “really feel” the pedals. Later, I realized a tip from an area to produce other sneakers or boots helpful which are 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 discipline. I couldn’t appear to differentiate the place the medians have been. Therefore, I drove a lot slower than all the opposite site visitors.
To the credit score of each driver on the street—at the least 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 record 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 depart town limits. With solely 24 hours to discover, I didn’t need the stress of heading down the freeway, not figuring out the place or when the following exit was. I’ve a horrible sense of path, and even with my telephone’s GPS, I didn’t need to find yourself anyplace close to the Ice Street.
It’s a must to plug in your automotive
After a few hours by myself, I recruited one other convention attendee to hitch me in exploring the city. Within the foyer of our resort, earlier than we walked to the parking zone, I requested her to remind me once we returned to plug within the automotive. She quizzed with a smile, “We’ve got a Tesla?”
As a Californian, she had even much less expertise than I did driving in snowy situations. However collectively, we had the most effective time maneuvering city, along with her navigating and me gripping the wheel on the 10:00 and a couple of:00 positions, as I realized in highschool drivers’ ed.
However neither of us had ever plugged in a automotive. Plugging in your automobile in Alaska is a part of life. It’s to stop the engine from freezing. Seeing energy cables protruding the hood of automobiles can be an on a regular basis sight. You plug the wire right into a block heater, which is in public locations, lodges, and a few companies.
Roads are usually not salted in Alaska
One other tidbit I realized is that town doesn’t use salt (in the event that they do, it’s sparingly) on streets. The salt could make its manner into native creeks and streams and hurt wildlife. Sand appears to be the higher possibility.
Whereas I couldn’t verify this, I’m undecided they plow a lot, both. As my pal and I drove in search of sights to {photograph}, I stated, “Let’s go down this little avenue. Do you suppose they plow the facet streets?”
“What do you imply?” she replied. “They don’t plow the foremost 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 wonderful salmon crepes and espresso. Parking in a close-by lot was straightforward.)
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 might 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 pal and me a experience when he heard me on the telephone attempting 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 under zero), I requested somebody at Pikes Waterfront Lodge to assist, and so they gladly did.
Plugging within the automotive was straightforward sufficient. However I did make an observation to myself that night time: Bear in mind to unplug the automotive earlier than driving away the following morning.
Driving Distances Past Fairbanks
Temperatures can fall nicely under zero, and guests should take every thing about winter driving in Alaska significantly. The Alaska Division of Transportation recommends to test the street situations earlier than you go.
Although I made a decision to not enterprise outdoors town limits, a few of my colleagues did and had a superb 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 street; nonetheless, the freeway might be icy, and cell service is unpredictable. The excellent news is there’s an amazing 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.) It’s also possible to e book a shuttle with Chena Sizzling Springs Resort.
Dalton Freeway
The Dalton Freeway takes a number of days in case you 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 automotive rental firm first to verify they assist you to take the automobile on this journey. It may be smart to think about this one for summer season journey, however everytime you go, you’ll have wonderful 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 implies greater than packing an additional vitality bar. Locals pack gear for sudden (or intentional) tenting and cooking in a single day: spare tires, heat clothes, water, and a primary support equipment. And since fuel stations are generally far aside, make sure you at all times have sufficient fuel and don’t lower it shut.
You’ll come throughout the Lodge at Black Rapids as you journey on the Richardson Freeway. This can be a tremendous place to cease and benefit from the landscapes round you. You possibly can 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 stuffed with beautiful surroundings and views of Denali and wildlife; it’s an epic Alaska street 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 folks go to. Truly – it’s partially open. The primary street within the park is open so far as the Park Customer Heart. There, you’ll discover rangers to speak to, and you’ll even borrow…sure, borrow snowshoes and poles to go discover Denali Nationwide Park coated in snow! It’s a magical time to go to Denali, and also you’ll really feel like you will have it solely for your self!
How one can Hire a Automotive in Fairbanks for the Winter
The best manner is to easily lease a automotive on the airport. In case you don’t need to drive after a flight that arrives at midnight or later (which many do), some rental firms will ship a automobile to your resort.
All the automotive leases in Alaska can have winter tires, in order that’s a bonus. However if you’re actually hesitant or anxious about driving on salt-free, icy roads, then reserve a automotive with studded tires. These will present the most effective traction; nonetheless, it is going to additionally price extra to lease.
Ensure you know easy methods to use the automotive plugin characteristic, as that is one thing you’ll probably want to make use of. Additionally, earlier than you’re taking off from the airport, guarantee 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 sneakers inside your automotive.
- Give folks loads of house
- Hire a automotive with studs for further security
- Plug in your automotive if it’s under zero
- Plan forward and ensure you have a full take of fuel
- Drive along with your headlights on day or night time
- Take a paper map with you as a result of cell connections are unreliable
- It’s at all times a good suggestion to let somebody know the place you’re going and if you count on to be again
- Pack further meals, water, matches, and a blanket
- Guarantee you will have an ice scraper in your rental automotive.
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 affords a 24-hour shuttle service. Employees will recommend firms 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.