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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 foundations of the highway for winter driving in Alaska could possibly be so completely different from driving in my hometown of Denver. Nonetheless, I beloved having wheels and freedom to discover—at occasions, with white knuckles.
Despite the fact that I stay in Colorado, I’m not a fan of driving in snow. So, I listened intently as a workers member with Discover Fairbanks shared recommendations on motoring round earlier than I picked up my rented 2020 Nissan Rogue.
Ideas 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 can slide. Take your foot off the gasoline, and also you’ll steadily decelerate.
Rule quantity two: “Don’t below 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 fact present the place truckers drive their rigs on routes that embody frozen lakes and rivers. The present offers me nightmares, and that’s the final place I needed 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 an enormous X.
Rule quantity three: “Don’t merge too shortly. Folks listed below 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, equivalent to having additional meals, water, and blankets, and added that cellular phone service could possibly be sketchy in sure areas exterior 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 workers handed out maps to the a number of of us renting automobiles. He additionally had just a few extra ideas: “Observe the tracks in entrance of you and drive along with your headlights on, day or night time.” Then, a workers member turned over the keys to a shiny new Nissan Rogue.
I beloved the car 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 a neighborhood to produce other sneakers or boots useful which can be much less awkward when driving.
I struggled as soon as I noticed that on wintery, cloudy days, snow-covered streets blended in with the colorless sky; there was no depth of subject. I couldn’t appear to tell apart the place the medians have been. Therefore, I drove a lot slower than all the opposite visitors.
To the credit score of each driver on the highway—a minimum of the day I used to be behind the wheel—not one individual honked and even gave me the stink eye as they handed.
Try 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 understanding the place or when the subsequent exit was. I’ve a horrible sense of course, and even with my telephone’s GPS, I didn’t need to find yourself anyplace close to the Ice Highway.
You need to plug in your automobile
After a few hours by myself, I recruited one other convention attendee to affix me in exploring the city. Within the foyer of our resort, earlier than we walked to the car 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 situations. However collectively, we had the very best 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 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 automobiles can be an on a regular basis sight. You plug the wire right into a block heater, which is in public locations, inns, 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 means into native creeks and streams and hurt wildlife. Sand appears to be the higher choice.
Whereas I couldn’t affirm this, I’m unsure they plow a lot, both. As my good friend and I drove on the lookout for sights to {photograph}, I stated, “Let’s go down this little road. Do you suppose they plow the aspect streets?”
“What do you imply?” she replied. “They don’t plow the most important 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 best choice. Not so. With staffing shortages and hovering gasoline costs, Uber and Lyft drivers could be few and much between.
Learn my article about 29 Issues to Do in Fairbanks Alaska Summer season and Winter
Depend on native rides as a substitute of Uber
The excellent news is that each individual in Fairbanks we met was pleasant and useful. One small enterprise proprietor even provided to shut the store and provides my good friend and me a trip 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 automobile was straightforward sufficient. However I did make an observation to myself that night time: Keep in mind to unplug the automobile earlier than driving away the subsequent 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 examine the highway situations earlier than you go.
Despite the fact that I made a decision to not enterprise exterior town limits, a few of my colleagues did and had a wonderful expertise. Listed here are some choices to contemplate if you wish to discover past Fairbanks:
Chena Scorching Springs
Chena Scorching 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 an awesome likelihood 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 a neighborhood driver.) You too can e book a shuttle with Chena Scorching Springs Resort.
Dalton Freeway
The Dalton Freeway takes a number of days in the event you drive all the best way to the North Slope, and also you’ll be driving on the gravel a part of the best way. Test with the automobile rental firm first to ensure they will let you take the car on this journey. It is likely to be sensible to contemplate this one for summer season journey, however everytime you go, you’ll have wonderful views and visits to cities filled 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 help equipment. And since gasoline stations are generally far aside, make sure you at all times have sufficient gasoline and don’t lower 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 may be taught extra in regards to the Lodge at Black Rapids on this article.
Parks Freeway
The George Parks Freeway, also referred to as the Parks Freeway, connects Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. This drive is stuffed 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 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 completely for your self!
Lease a Automotive in Fairbanks for the Winter
The simplest means is to easily hire a automobile on the airport. If you happen to don’t need to drive after a flight that arrives at midnight or later (which many do), some rental firms will ship a car to your resort.
All the automobile leases in Alaska could have winter tires, in order that’s a bonus. However if you’re actually hesitant or frightened about driving on salt-free, icy roads, then reserve a automobile with studded tires. These will present the very best traction; nevertheless, it is going to additionally value extra to hire.
Ensure you know find out how to use the automobile plugin characteristic, as that is one thing you’ll probably want to make use of. Additionally, earlier than you are 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 Ideas
- Don’t brake; as a substitute, take your foot off the gasoline.
- Don’t put on clunky boots; have an additional pair of driving sneakers inside your automobile.
- Give individuals loads of house
- Lease a automobile with studs for additional security
- Plug in your automobile if it’s under zero
- Plan forward and ensure you have a full take of gasoline
- 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 once you count on to be again
- Pack additional meals, water, matches, and a blanket
- Guarantee you will have 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 provides a 24-hour shuttle service. Employees will counsel firms who can assist 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 Ideas
To name a taxi, attempt 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.
