Artic Circle

[redbeulah]

How far is it from Fairbanks to the Artic line. Are the roads good and what would be the estimated travel time? Thanks

[Budget Queen]

About 190 miles and no regular car rental company will allow you to drive on the Dalton Highway. There is one company in Fairbanks that does rent Haul Road cars. BUT you need to be well prepared and allow PLENTY of time. Trucks have right of way. You are best to pull over for any coming the other way. Serivces are 100's miles apart, no cell service most of it.

 

I really like the private tours, especially the fly/shuttle. I've done them the last 2 years. Especially with massive fires of 2004, you really see the vastness from above. http://www.northernalaska.com is the company I've gone with. I do not recommend the round trip shuttles.

[wolfie11]

The best day to go is Sunday, as there is virtually no commercial truck traffic. They are paving the road, so in the future, rental car companies may allow you to drive a rental car.

[BobK in NJ]

If you do a Google search on "Dalton Highway" you find some great mile by mile accounts of trips. Paving is ongoing and this is an excerpt from a 2005 trip: "The first 83 miles are easy going on the Steese and Elliott Highways. Good blacktop. At mile 73 of the Elliott you go onto gravel. From there to the Yukon the road alternates between grey, small-stone gravel prone to washbaording and hard packed brown with small pot holes. The grey is very dusty and the brown is watered down. This is a very hilly and curvey section of the trip. At mile 19 there is a short strech of beautiful pavement that is like a parkway. Must be sort of a test strip. After five miles the reality of gravel sets back in. After crossing the Yukon the surface is still gravel for thirty miles, then pavement. The pavement starts out pretty good, so the southern section must be newer. Gradually it turns into the worst part of the trip, with 35mph being about tops. The pavement is littered with holes, crumbled pavement, frost heaves, and pavement breaks. ..."

[redbeulah]

This is excellent information!!Thanks so much-this will be a great help!

[GlacierLady]

If you do a Google search on "Dalton Highway" you find some great mile by mile accounts of trips. Paving is ongoing and this is an excerpt from a 2005 trip: "The first 83 miles are easy going on the Steese and Elliott Highways. Good blacktop. At mile 73 of the Elliott you go onto gravel. From there to the Yukon the road alternates between grey, small-stone gravel prone to washbaording and hard packed brown with small pot holes. The grey is very dusty and the brown is watered down. This is a very hilly and curvey section of the trip. At mile 19 there is a short strech of beautiful pavement that is like a parkway. Must be sort of a test strip. After five miles the reality of gravel sets back in. After crossing the Yukon the surface is still gravel for thirty miles, then pavement. The pavement starts out pretty good, so the southern section must be newer. Gradually it turns into the worst part of the trip, with 35mph being about tops. The pavement is littered with holes, crumbled pavement, frost heaves, and pavement breaks. ..."

That actually makes it sound not so bad! The top speed we did was 20mph for the most part,started out with 4 brand new tires and had 3 flats before we made it back to Fairbanks.Coldfoot wanted $150 for 1 tire.A trip full of memories...good n bad. :)

[Budget Queen]

Sorry, but they are NEVER going to pave the Dalton Highway. With the massive heaving from permafrost, it is not doable. The current paved portions are all tore up. An engineering nightmare.

[CamelliaCity]

Reviving this thread to see if anyone has any current info, 2007, for rental cars, road condition, etc.

[Yukon]

Reviving this thread to see if anyone has any current info, 2007, for rental cars, road condition, etc.

 

As of last week, nothing has changed according to a report from a friend who just rode his motorcycle to Deadhorse. A bit more paving has been done, but more has broken up so the total is about the same. Cars from the major companies are still not allowed.

 

Murray

[plenox]

The best day to go is Sunday, as there is virtually no commercial truck traffic. They are paving the road, so in the future, rental car companies may allow you to drive a rental car.

 

thanks! are they going to finish the paving next year?

[Yukon]

thanks! are they going to finish the paving next year?

 

They will never finish the paving - it isn't even in the forecast anymore (it was for a few years in the '90s).

[plenox]

They will never finish the paving - it isn't even in the forecast anymore (it was for a few years in the '90s).

 

ha.. it seems just like all other government jobs that put taxpayers' money in good use. :D

[CamelliaCity]

Yukon, thanks.

 

It's a shame there's not an easier way to see the places I want to see.

 

Are you familiar with this company?

 

http://www.northernalaska.com/

[greatam]

PLEASE DO NOT try this trip unless you are WELL versed in mechanics and tire changing.

 

One of my employees went to see one of our buddy's (who used to work for me) in Prudhoe over 4th of July. He flew up and was driving one of the BP van's back to Anchorage (to be traded in).

 

He broke down. He had tools. He had a satellite phone. He had a tent and sleeping bag. He is a coast to coast truck driver, very used to mechanical breakdowns. He STILL spent 3 days broke down-1st day-waiting for a tow about 60 miles south of Prudhoe (thank goodness, it wasn't 60 below). Second day in Coldfoot waiting for parts. Third day-parts arrived and van was repaired (electronic module went bad and no fuel to engine). BP picked up the towing and repair bill, but he had to pay for his own lodging and food-well over $450 for three days.

 

This is NOT a trip for the faint at heart, non mechanic or unprepared.

 

Take one of the Northern Alaska tours-you will be far happier.

[Yukon]

Yukon, thanks.

 

It's a shame there's not an easier way to see the places I want to see.

 

Are you familiar with this company?

 

http://www.northernalaska.com/

 

Yes, I haven't travelled with them but they have a great reputation.

[CamelliaCity]

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear:D