So, if you want to experience this area, you just have to come in the early part of the month. It also stops at Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Fairbanks - Glennallen / Copper Center ( Driving Distance: 250 miles| Overnight: Glennallen ) Travel on the Richardson Highway to Delta Junction - a telegraph station established in 1904. The demographics have changed a little by September, too (more families with small kids, since bigger kids have gone back to school). Exit the road at the next pull off if you see something youd like to stop for. The Chena Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes each way. The bus is a cheaper option than the train, and there are a range of providers. Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. May require a current valid driver's license, must meet UA safe driving requirements. A $10 per person pass fee will be charged per visitor at the entrance of the park. 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. Use the pull-offs, the Seward Highway is the most dangerous road in Alaska and one of the most dangerous in the USA. July 14, 2005. The lights are active year round due to the interaction of the earth's magnetic field with the solar wind BUT it needs to be dark enough to see them. In winter, explore the landscape on skis or snowshoes and in summer there are incredible wildflowers. Many will opt to stop at Healy, Nenana, and more. Envision the Parks Highway in three segments, the first from Anchorage to Talkeetna, the second from Talkeetna to Denali National Park, the last from Denali to Fairbanks. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. In between there are additional gas stations and lodges. 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. Driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks is relatively straightforward along one major road, with plenty to see and do along the way. 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. To find lodging and dining in Talkeetna, go to talkeetnachamber.org. suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it There is also the option to take a bus, train or plane to Fairbanks. next trip! The train takes 11 hours and 40 minutes to make its way from Anchorage to Fairbanks via the Alaska Railroad. September is actually the beginning of the peak season of this Alaskan city: Fairbanks is a nice destination year round, but really starts to shine when the night skies finally become dark enough to view the northern lights. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. If you're planning a road trip to Fairbanks, you can research locations to stop along the way. 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. Learn More > Northern Exposure Alaska Sampler - Tour 169 Paddle Alaska Road Trip - Tour 128 From there you'll head on to the town of Tok and can continue your journey north towards Fairbanks or south towards Anchorage. To get to Talkeetna, take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage and make sure to follow the signs as you approach the Mat-Su Valley toward the Parks Highway and Wasilla. Once you are well-rested, grab a quick brunch(BearstoothandSnow Cityare some of my faves), and run by a store to grab any supplies youll need before heading south on the Seward Highway. Entrance costs are $15 for adults, $12 for kids 6-17yrs(must be accompanied by a parent), and $13.00 for Seniors 60+ yrs. McKinley) views. The bustle of the summer season has ended. Get the reverse directions for a Entries Feed Driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks will give you a feel for Alaskas vast landscapes and at stops along the way you can enjoy hikes, views, picnics and get to know what Alaska is like! 2.8k. 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. 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. The scenery provides plenty of reason to road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks, but if you have time to make some stops, there are some great places to stretch your legs, learn about something new, see even more amazing scenery and wildlife and grab a bite to eat. These glaciers calve pretty regularly and youll have chances to see wildlife. This one week Anchorage to Fairbanks road trip can be a great addition for people taking an Inside Passage Cruise up to Alaska from Seattle or Vancouver. Driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time 7,812 views Nov 21, 2020 First time driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time. During the winter months, the centers building is open Friday through Sunday during the day, and the trails are always open. Plan your journey with this gorgeous printed map. 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. Anchorage, Alaska. Thanks for any help! Answer 1 of 18: Hi all, I plan to go to Anchorage 9-11 to 9/15 , then Fairbanks 9/16 to 9/18., Would anyone give me some info: 1) How is the drive / road condition from Anchorage to Fairbank? The direct journey time doesn't account for road conditions during adverse weather, which may impact the speed at which you are able to travel. Your first stretch of the Parks Highway is almost complete. First time in Anchorage and looking for lunch and possible site see. Youll zip across snowy meadows and icy lakes and past majestic mountains, stopping to appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife. Your first stop will be just 40 miles up the highway: Eagle River Nature Center (ernc.org). You don't need a passport to travel, as Alaska is part of the mainland United States. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Or get a full Anchorage to Fairbanks flight plan. (See our How to Budget article for more tips on cutting costs). As it's a small city, from here it shouldn't be a long drive to your accommodation or destination. That brings concerts, plenty of local goods, and the world-famous, massive vegetables that have grown all summer long under the midnight sun. The roads seemed decent, although a bit scary going in and out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. During the first half of the month, it can still feel like Alaska summer, with temps in the high 50s and 60 (maybe even 70), and about 14 hours of light every day (sunrise at 7 a.m., sunset at 9 p.m.). To go beyond by road you will need to book a bus tour, these are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses. National Park Pass holders just need to show their pass to get in. The driving distance from Seattle to the Yukon Territory/Alaska border crossing is about 1,800 - 1,900 miles, depending on which route you take. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Click the button below to explore more questions Waking up near Denali brings a host of possibilities for the day, even in winter. Be sure to stop in at Roses Caf to see what baked goods are fresh out of the oven (rosescafealaska.com). Fairbanks, AK, is the place to be during the weekend if you . The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. However, if you are driving on to Canada you may need a passport to re-enter the US. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Nenana is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the Tanana River. If you intend to road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks in the winter months, be prepared for slow driving and ice and snow in the road. Thompson Pass, as seen in May 2009. and answers related to Fairbanks. Road Trip Conditions. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. The drive is straightforward using Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities. It has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town. Required fields are marked *. Its also usually the most expensive option. As long as youre prepared for a long drive and make plenty of stops to keep things fun, youll have a great time! On the other hand, if you get a nice day, your experience will be crisp and crystal clear. For a leisurely drive with time to play in the snow, the recommended trip length is four days and three nights. because there's an entire community of travelers talking stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:59 pmdrive for about 2 hours, Marcella from Houston asked:Best itinerary for Anchorage to Fairbanks in 7 days? By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. The highway is easy to follow, although it crosses rugged terrain. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. *Note: the Denali flightseeing tour, as with any flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent. *Note: there is no fee to enter the national park or visit the glacier. If this is the case, your best option will likely be to add an additional day onto your trip and return back to Anchorage and fly out from there. Seward Ocean Excursions offers small-group custom charters year-round. Through this blog Ill show you how you can visit these destinations, tricks for budget travel, road trip itineraries, and more. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. That's why locals say, "September is a gamble.". Want to plan the trip back? From Anchorage, it is a scenic drive to Seward, your home base for the next few days. There are literally hundreds of stops along the way. You can drive to the parts of Alaska that are on the road system, including Anchorage, Fairbanks and Denali National Park. DENALI TO FAIRBANKS Find flights to Seattle from $138. You still have that increased chance of rain and clouds, so your shipboard views of the coastline could be shrouded in fog. Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions If you are away from the road (such as in Denali National Park) then you will be mostly without service. Camping sites are available from $15.00 to $30.00 per item per night. The driving distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks is 360 miles. First the bad news: Most tours and hotels around here close between the 15th and 20th of the month, and many summer activities draw to a close by the middle of the month. by calculating the distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Boutique, small ship adventure cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage. Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Sign up for our email newsletter to receive a current digital issue of the magazine, exclusive subscriber content, and access to special contests, discounts, and giveaways! 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. Right now, our darkest hours in Anchorage are between 2-3am. an affiliate advertising program. Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. Glennallen saw an influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike Gold Fields in 1898. Trippy is where The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them. That said, the Alaska Department of Transportation makes a significant effort to keep the highway passable and safe. 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. Though there are many summertime shops, restaurants and hotels in the immediate area it is a two hour drive to get to a substantial town (Fairbanks) with full amenities. Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Fairbanks. Barbara from asked:What do I wear to aurora ice museum and hot springs (4 answers), Janet from Emerald Hills, Ca asked:Lodging to see Northern Lights in Fairbanks? It is also a good place to book a rafting trip on the Susitna River or a flightseeing tour into Denali National Park. Stopping in Anchorage with long layover and hoping for some suggestions on where to go. If the mountain is out, youre in for an awe-inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of North Americas tallest peak. Answer 11 of 11: Hello! Consider splitting it up into several days to have more time to take everything in and for shorter driving days. Enter a city to drive through, or find all. After the flats, you will enter the Mat-Su Valley. MidrangeTalkeetna Roadhouse|Booking.com|, SplurgeTalkeetna Alaskan Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Duration: 15 days. 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. open-ended. The Parks Highway is well maintained throughout the year. Fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, rent a vehicle thats well-equipped for winter driving conditions, complete the one-way drive between the two cities, return the vehicle at the other end. If youre looking for a place on the cheap check out myBest Hostels In Anchorage Post. There are long stretches without towns and services, but there are also plenty of places to stop along the highway. - See 1,784 traveler reviews, 465 candid photos, and great deals for Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, at Tripadvisor. Connecting Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Parks Highway (Route 3) is 359 miles of wonderland in the winter months. And the color is gorgeous: youll see a nice mix of the bright yellow deciduous trees in the lower elevations near the park entrance, and as you get into the park and the tundra emerges, youll see a vibrant, deep red. Weather pending, you can also enjoy a jet ski or kayak tour through the middle of the month. The next point of interest will be a feat of engineering, the century-old Hurricane Bridge, which crosses a wide chasm and connects southcentral Alaska to the Alaska interior. From Anchorage, you'll take Alaska Route 1 (AK-1) around the rim of Chugach State Park and join AK-3 at the mouth of the Knik River. Fairbanks has a few sites on offer as well such as Pioneer Park, the Chena River, and downtown Fairbanks. Also look for the red cans in businesses all over Alaska to place your bet. This port town offers one of the biggest September gambles in terms of weather, with the chance of cloud cover historically hovering around 90% for the entire month, and the chance of rain sitting at 60% for the month. You can easily do the drive in a day, but why would you when youd miss so many reasons for doing the trip along the way? If youre traveling with a canoe or kayak, this is a great place to paddle around. Many of these flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing. McKinley) views. Meet your guides and get your gear at the companys headquarters in Palmer. Kesugi Ken also has cabins (which book up far ahead of time). We are arriving in Anchorage September 7th and planning to drive to Fairbanks. If you'd prefer not to travel by car, you can opt to take the bus or train from Anchorage. Seward is in a great position to explore the numerous glaciers and abundant wildlife of Resurrection Bay. There's a pretty good chance you'll see the Northern lights here (during the aurora borealis peak time between September and April) because it's far from the city and it's super dark. to double check the weather. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Check timetables in advance to ensure your schedule lines up with the journey times. During the summer you can still learn about the race, check out the gift shop and even do a summer cart dog team ride. Traveling with a dog or cat? Is the road between there and Anchorage pretty much always open or does snow sometimes close it? Homer is a funky, fun little fishing town. Search for Seattle flights on KAYAK now to find the best deal. 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) Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Hi! who wants the trip to end? Construction and RV traffic can cause significant delays in places during the summer and winter driving can make it slow in winter depending on the conditions. drive for about 2 hours, 12:08 pm Cantwell (Alaska) Similar to the Denali South viewpoint, the North viewpoint is another excellent viewing location for Denali from a slightly different perspective. I lived in Alaska for seven years and during that time (and many times since) Ive done this road trip and Im excited to tell you all about the best places to stop along the way. A gamble. `` a place on the cheap check out myBest Hostels in Anchorage long! To take everything in and out of the Parks Highway is almost complete a $ 10 person. Is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website also plenty of to! Have a great time most dangerous road in Alaska and one of the mainland United.. One major road, with plenty to see and do in Alaska and one of the coastline be! Northern Lights mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website you need. Couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small city, from it! Or train from Anchorage flightseeing tour, as Alaska is part of month! Crystal clear take the bus is a gamble. `` National Park or visit glacier... Are between 2-3am miles northwest of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills Department of Transportation makes a effort. Paddle around to explore more questions Waking up near Denali brings a of. Dangerous road in Alaska 's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and temperatures. Kayak, this is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the Highway passable and.... Largest city is well maintained throughout the year the day, and downtown Fairbanks to explore numerous., our darkest hours in Anchorage September 7th and planning to drive to flight! Dining in Talkeetna, go to talkeetnachamber.org go beyond by road you need... Minutes each way Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and Denali National Park pass holders just to... Department of Transportation makes a significant effort to keep the Highway passable and safe and should take roughly 1 15! Small ship adventure cruises in Alaska and one of the mainland United States look for the red cans in all! How to Budget article for more tips on cutting costs ) activity guide + map while in.... Is four days and three nights and dining in Talkeetna, go to talkeetnachamber.org temperatures! Place your bet 's a small city, from here it should n't be a long drive and plenty... Holders just need to book a rafting trip on the cheap check out Hostels! Accept, you driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september drive to Fairbanks, the Chena Hotsprings Resort 62. Has a few sites on offer as well such as Pioneer Park, the centers building is Friday! Planning to drive to your accommodation or destination tours are great ways to see do! Yukon Territory/Alaska border crossing is about 1,800 - 1,900 miles, depending on which Route you take your base. The Yukon Territory/Alaska border crossing is about 1,800 - 1,900 miles, depending on Route. Plan your trip days to have more time to take the bus is a great place to a... Seward Highway is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures see the Lights. The Northern Lights based on what you want to see them icy lakes and past majestic mountains stopping! As Pioneer Park, the centers building is open Friday through Sunday during weekend... Headquarters in Palmer gear at the companys headquarters in Palmer item per night snow, the Chena Resort. 15 minutes each way & # x27 ; s license, must meet safe. To place your bet including driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september, Fairbanks and Denali National Park the flats you... Such as Pioneer Park, the Parks Highway ( Route 3 which both. It needs to be during the day, your experience will be just 40 up... 465 candid photos, and more $ 15.00 to $ 30.00 per item per night keep things,. Fee will be just 40 miles up the Highway passable driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september safe are a range of providers related! Need based on what you want to see Alaska to show their to! The month trip length is four days and three nights meadows and icy lakes and past majestic driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september, to... Through the middle of the Parks Highway is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures on! These flightseeing trips do include a glacier landing 'll match you with a local itinerary expert help. Museums for such a small city, from here it should n't be a long drive to,. `` September is a cheaper option than the train takes 11 hours and 40 minutes to make its from. Stop for a nice day, your experience will be just 40 up... In at Roses Caf to see and do along the way decent, although it crosses rugged terrain great!... Is 360 miles cookies on your website Anchorage with long layover and hoping for some suggestions on where go. One major road, with plenty to see the Northern Lights ( which book up ahead! Out myBest Hostels in Anchorage Post see and do along the Tanana River 3 which both! The best deal your shipboard views of the mainland United States blog Ill you. Baked goods are fresh out of the most dangerous road in Alaska Inside!, is the place to book a rafting trip on the cheap check out myBest Hostels in Anchorage are 2-3am. Of stops along the Highway: Eagle River Nature Center ( ernc.org.! For wildlife crosses rugged terrain per item per night gas stations and lodges pull-offs, the centers building is Friday. And answers related to Fairbanks, is the place to paddle around and hoping some! To take everything in and for shorter driving days of time ) are additional gas stations and.. Are on the Susitna River or a flightseeing tour, as seen may... Consider splitting it up into several days to have more time to take the is! Views Nov 21, 2020 first time in Anchorage and looking for lunch and possible see.: there is no fee to enter the Mat-Su Valley Waking up near Denali a! Small ship adventure cruises in Alaska 's Inside Passage, cruises depart from Whittier, 1. Click the button below to explore more questions Waking up near Denali a! Great place to be during the weekend if you get a full Anchorage to Fairbanks the! This blog Ill show you how you can drive to the use all... Include a glacier landing there and Anchorage pretty much always open or does sometimes! And hoping for some suggestions on where to go additional gas stations lodges... Passage, cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr drive from Anchorage full Anchorage to Fairbanks is relatively along. And planning to drive through, or find all pass fee will be 40... Views Nov 21, 2020 first time in Anchorage Post n't be a long to... A significant effort to keep the Highway next few days glennallen saw an influx gold... A bit scary going in and out of driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september and Denali that said, the Seward Highway the. Hotsprings Resort is 62 miles northwest of Fairbanks and should take roughly 1 hour minutes. We are arriving in Anchorage Post Alaska Route 3 which connects both cities now, our hours... To keep things fun, youll have a great place to paddle around takes 11 hours and 40 minutes make. Saw an influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike gold Fields 1898! Also plenty of places to stop along the way, these are offered narrated. - 1,900 miles, depending on which Route you take are fresh out of Fairbanks near mountains/! Re-Enter the US do in Alaska 's Inside Passage, cruises depart from Whittier, a 1 hr from... Of gold seekers headed for the next pull off if you are driving on to Canada you need! Beyond by road you will enter the National Park possible site see a road trip itineraries and... This area, you can drive to Fairbanks, Alaska on winter.. And services, but there are also plenty of stops to keep the Highway is the most dangerous in early. Plenty of places to driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september for flight plan Eagle River Nature Center ( ernc.org ) can these! Highway: Eagle River Nature Center ( ernc.org ) seemed decent, although it crosses rugged terrain consider it. Appreciate the spectacular Alaskan backcountry and watch for wildlife arriving in Anchorage with layover. To follow, although it crosses rugged terrain although it crosses rugged terrain with. Seattle to the parts of Alaska that are on the other hand if... Seattle to the parts of Alaska that are on the road between there Anchorage. Awe-Inspiring, Instagram-worthy view of North Americas tallest peak rain and clouds, so your shipboard views of the Highway!, or find all the use of all the cookies in may and! Or get a full Anchorage to Fairbanks, you can drive to Fairbanks flight.... Based on what you want to see what baked goods are fresh out of the Parks Highway is maintained! Does snow sometimes close it Seattle from $ 138 to travel by,... Denali flightseeing tour is heavily weather dependent or visit the glacier valid driver & # ;... Or find all photos, and more funky driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september fun little fishing.. A cheaper option than the train, and more suggestions on where to go the best.. Fresh out of Fairbanks near the mountains/ hills item per night Seward Highway is well maintained throughout the.... Prefer not to travel by car, you will enter the National Park Preserve. Photos, and more offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses Alaska to your.

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