The bad news - it will take awhile - and you need to like desolate, 2-lane roads!
The Alaska Highway was originally built as a military supply road during World War II. It was built by the U.S. Army in 1942 and opened to civilian traffic in 1948. It is open all year and driven by thousands of motorists in all sorts of vehicles.
Construction of the Alaska Highway
The Alaska Highway begins in Dawson Creek, BC, and ends 1,390 miles later at Delta Junction, AK.
Originally primarily a gravel road, today it is paved throughout its length - however, "The asphalt surfacing of the Alaska Highway ranges from poor to excellent." Articles site the harsh conditions (e.g. Arctic winter) as being hard on the road surface, thus affecting the highway condition every year.
Alaska Highway between Tok and Delta Junction
During the 1980s many rerouting and paving projects were completed. By 1992, the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Highway, the last section of original gravel road had been rerouted and paved.
The official Alaska Highway has the majority of its miles in Canada. Mileage totals are: British Columbia - 613; Yukon Territory - 577; and Alaska - 200.
The beginning of the Alaska Highway (also know as the Alaska - Canada or ALCAN) is in northern British Columbia, some 800+ miles from Seattle. So to drive from Seattle to Fairbanks would be a total of 2,313 miles. "Unless you are in a hurry, allow at least 7 to 10 days for the trip."
Today gas, food and lodging are found along the Alaska Highway on an average of every 20 to 50 miles. The longest stretch without services is about 100 miles. However, guides caution that services are NOT available 24 hours a day, and may not be open year round. In other words, there ARE some towns and outposts - but this is still a pretty remote area you are traversing.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post.
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