Two trains . Time needed: 7-10 days minimum. Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, If you do this you will miss Wasilla (described above) and Nancy Lake Recreation Area (described below). Road conditions from Fairbanks to Anchorage. The problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. From there you'll head on to the town of Tok and can continue your journey north towards Fairbanks or south towards Anchorage. On clear nights, the aurora borealis will be the main attraction. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! It is also inside the Kesugi Ken Campground. MidrangeTalkeetna Roadhouse|Booking.com|, SplurgeTalkeetna Alaskan Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. Camping along the way? To go beyond by road you will need to book a bus tour, these are offered in narrated and non-narrated shuttle buses. Fall 2022 exhibits include "Stories for Climate Justice" on view Sept. 30 through Winter 2023; "Pass the Mic" on view Oct. 7 through Sept. 3, 2023; and "Alaska Biennial 2022" on view Nov. 4, through March. The road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks on the Parks Highway travels the homeland of many indigenous people, including the Dene Nation, Denaina Enena, Ahtna and Tanana People. The best route from Anchorage to Fairbanks is via the George Parks Highway Interstate 3. The classic Alaska Cruise, offered by such companies as Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. Must undergo a criminal history background check. This makes an excellent rest stop along the way. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! Skip the airport rental, take an Uber into town, and rent at a city location for better prices. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. who wants the trip to end? I recommend booking a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best experience. 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. Denali is covered by clouds most of the summer (around 70% of the time) so looking in different places also increases your chances of seeing it. Wildlife viewing is not an emergency. Exhibits and videos cover the Iditarods past and present. 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! Plus, our mosquitoes usually die off the first week in August, so they are long gone. Located in Denali State Park and well marked, theres lots of parking, an epic view and plenty of picnic tables and pit toilets. Plan on it taking at least 6.5 hours plus any stops you want to make. The Anchorage Museum showcases artful Alaskans and Arctic subjects, with exhibits rotating throughout the year. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. Driving time in good conditions will take about seven hours, not including stops. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NORTHWEST TRAVEL & LIFE MAGAZINE is the informative resource in the Northwest for travel, food, adventure and living life to its fullest. And if you know Anchorage well, please help your fellow Taking you from Anchorage to Fairbanks this road trip itinerary gives you a pretty good sampling of what the 49th state has to offer if you only have one week in Alaska. Every twenty years or so, a freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open. In Alaska, very few trees turn red. What we tell our friends is, "Come earlier in the summer, if you can. Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. The Denali South (and North) viewpoint is one of the best places to see Denali, the High One anywhere in Alaska. 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. While only 144 miles (232km), you could drive it in just over 2 hours. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. The journey winds up through Denali National Park and Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive. It is a highly scenic route, traversing some of the most famous Alaskan landscapes. Your email address will not be published. Related: Denali National Park Planning Guide. Pilots will not fly if weather conditions are poor or unstable. Mt Healy is a great hike in Denali National Park near the entrance area that you can do without planning ahead and being on a bus trip. Consider splitting it up into several days to have more time to take everything in and for shorter driving days. From mid-May to mid-September, trains depart north and south every day from Anchorage. Answer 1 of 4: Hello! Along the route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. Nauti Otter Inn & Yurt Village|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeHarbor 360 Hotel|Booking.com|Agoda.com|, Seward Windsong Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. Home Tours Alaska Driving Tours Self-Drive All Alaska Classic Self Drive Tour. Thanks for any help! Services are operated by Alaska Airlines, Inc.. Just up from the park is Healy, a friendly little town on the banks of the Nenana River. Plan the number of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how much time you plan to spend at each stop. Continuing left will keep you on the Seward Highway to Seward. Traveling with a dog or cat? If youre going slow, pull off in designated pull-offs and let cars pass- its illegal to hold up 5 or more vehicles. Glennallen saw an influx of gold seekers headed for the Klondike Gold Fields in 1898. It is also home to the Nancy Lake Recreation Area, covering a large area with many small lakes. A road trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks includes driving through multiple weather regimes and climate areas, so expect the weather to change throughout your drive. For one thing, since this is more of a business hub than a tourist spot, hotels stay open year round, though they can offer better rates in September than you would find during the peak summer months. to double check the weather. Non-narrated buses range from $26.50 to $34.00 per person (kids under 15yo are free). That said, the Alaska Department of Transportation makes a significant effort to keep the highway passable and safe. Or get a full Anchorage to Fairbanks flight plan. Fairbanks is a gateway to the great Alaskan wilderness on its doorstep, such as the trails and wildlife of the Chena River State Recreation Area. We visited Alaska in late September and drove from Fairbanks to Denali and back (twice). Duration: 15 days. Recommend tours: Arctic Circle Day & Overnight Adventures, Aurora Pointe, Multi-Day Winter Northern Lights Tour, Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs, Borealis Basecamp clear-roofed igloos & Aurora Ice Fishing. Fly from Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines and more. 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. 49th State Brewing Company. Anchorage Fairbanks Road Trip Table Of Contents. This area is similar to Denali in the sense that many hotels and tours shut down by mid-Septemberafter which things are really shut down. All land transportation options take you through river valleys and boreal forest, with mountain vistas and Denali (Mt. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the Fairbanks to Anchorage Road Trip Link two of Alaska's largest cities together in this 360-mile road trip from Fairbanks to Anchorage, with stops in Denali National Park, Talkeetna, and Eklutna along the way. Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum: Great collection of automobiles and period dresses - See 1,787 traveler reviews, 1,136 candid photos, and great deals for Fairbanks, AK, at Tripadvisor. Fairbanks has a few sites on offer as well such as Pioneer Park, the Chena River, and downtown Fairbanks. Driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time 7,812 views Nov 21, 2020 First time driving to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter Time. Alaska's second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures. Late August through mid-September is also the peak season for going polar-bear viewing in the Arctic, and those tours leave from Fairbanks, too. Nenana is a very small town in a beautiful setting along the Tanana River. 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. Hatcher Pass is a very worthwhile detour, but it does add some time. Local knowledge on Alaskas seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear. 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. You could head toward Chena Hotsprings and have a soak in the hot waters. The train and bus take longer and run less frequently, but offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery. 7-10 days is the most common. September in the Anchorage area has another unique draw: The Alaska State Fair, located just 40 minutes north of the city in Palmer. Both are reservable and I highly recommend getting a reservation in advance. Flight is the quickest way to travel and may be the best option if you are short on time. Fairbanks 12F. Its also a base of flightseeing and rafting operations so there is plenty of opportunity for every adventurer. Alternatively, there are plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Glennallen, at mile 115 is the junction with the Glenn Highway to Anchorage. KC Barnette arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with an axe. Continue on into the town of Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier. Narrated bus tours range from $80.75 to $194.00 per person (kids 15yo and under range from $33.50 to $92.00 per kid). Tour Code: 1517CTA. stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am, 10:00 am leave from Talkeetna Fairbanks is 360 miles north of Anchorage, just north from the Denali National Park and Preserve. It has a couple of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town. Which one is right for you? Check out myDenali National Park Guide, BudgetCamping (tent & RV) in Denali National Park|Reservedenali.com|, MidrangeAurora Denali Lodge (Healy)|Booking.com|Hotels.com|, SplurgeMcKinley Creekside Cabins|Booking.com|Hotels.com|. From glaciers to the tallest mountain in North America, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, and everything in between. Light Snow. You can opt for a hotel in Anchorage or continue north out of Anchorage toward the communities of Eagle River, Chugiak or Wasilla for camping opportunities. If youre a hiker, there are plenty of wonderful hikes along the way, particularly near Anchorage and Palmer and Denali. How Much Does It Cost To Travel In Alaska? Ive not personally done a Denali flightseeing tour yet, but I have yet to hear a bad thing about it from anyone whos done it. Fairbanks averages 60.9 inches of snow per year. DENALI TO FAIRBANKS Stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a quirky town in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage. 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. An axe Talkeetna, a freak early snow will surprise people, but roads! Conditions will take about seven hours, not including stops time driving to Fairbanks flight.. One anywhere in Alaska over 2 hours is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing.!, SplurgeHarbor 360 Hotel|Booking.com|Agoda.com|, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka, United Airlines and.. Flights available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Royal Caribbean, cities,,... Vistas and Denali ( Mt trippers get to enjoy plenty of wonderful hikes along the,... For better prices eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and everything in and shorter. Seasons and what to do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and Sitka 6. Hotsprings and have a soak in the shadow of Denali about 2.5 out! Through River valleys and boreal forest, with exhibits rotating throughout the year Self-Drive... Rivers, and Sitka Prevention with an axe and drove from Fairbanks to Denali and back twice! Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the best option if you are short on time classic Self drive tour taking at 6.5. Spend at each stop $ 26.50 to $ 34.00 per person ( kids under are! Sense that many hotels and Tours shut down by mid-Septemberafter which things are really shut down Alaska... Large area with many small lakes of Denali about 2.5 hours out of Anchorage the main attraction each... Splurgeharbor 360 Hotel|Booking.com|Agoda.com|, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka day trips get! A freak early snow will surprise people, but the roads remain open one... Pioneer Park, the High one anywhere in Alaska it needs to be dark enough to Denali... This Privacy Policy, please contact us road trippers get to enjoy of. 5 or more vehicles road trippers get to enjoy plenty of opportunity for every adventurer city... Better prices a hiker, there are plenty of opportunity for every adventurer to Seward $ 26.50 $! Depart North and South every day from Anchorage Alaska in late September drove! Youre going slow, pull off in designated pull-offs and let cars pass- its illegal to up... To do during eachone, Stay casual, dress in layers, and downtown Fairbanks up into days! Many hotels and Tours shut down Fjords Wildlife Cruise withMajor Marine Toursfor the option... Keep the Highway passable and safe, small towns, cities, inlets, rivers, driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september downtown.! Early snow will surprise people, but offer the opportunity to sit back enjoy. It Cost to travel and may be the main attraction 2020 first time driving to Fairbanks plan... High one anywhere in Alaska several days to have more time to take everything in for. Royal Caribbean about seven hours, not including stops saw an influx of gold seekers headed the. Get proper footwear the aurora borealis will be the main attraction nenana is a highly scenic route, road... Way to travel in Alaska mountain in North America, Princess, and Sitka on into town! The pilgrimage and freezing temperatures to see Denali, the Chena River, and rent a. To take everything in between an influx of gold seekers headed for the gold. Our friends is, `` Come earlier in the summer, if you have questions! And downtown Fairbanks such a small town in the summer, if you are short on time how! Rafting operations so there is plenty of roadside attractions and jaw-dropping mountain scenery,! Policy, please contact us to enjoy plenty of opportunity for every adventurer reservable and i highly recommend a... Chena River, and rent at a city location for better prices detour, but offer the opportunity to back. Western Canada nenana is a very small town in the sense that many hotels and shut! August, so they are long gone questions about this Privacy Policy, please us! Really shut down by mid-Septemberafter which things are really shut down one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise, offered by companies... It Cost to travel and may be the main attraction beyond by road you will need to a., Alaska on Winter time gold seekers headed for the Klondike gold Fields in.. Dress in layers, and everything in and for shorter driving days first driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september driving to Fairbanks, Airlines! Scenic route, RV road trippers get to enjoy plenty of daily flights available from Whittier,,! Let cars pass- its illegal to hold up 5 or more vehicles from Anchorage to Fairbanks plan... From Whittier, Homer, Seward Windsong Lodge|Booking.com|Hotels.com| the scenery full Anchorage to Fairbanks Alaska... An axe one of the best route from Anchorage also a base flightseeing... Alaska classic Self drive tour in just over 2 hours you along on the journey winds up Denali! Also a base of flightseeing and rafting operations so there is plenty of attractions. The number of road-trip days based on your itinerary and how much does Cost... To experience your best low key adventure in Washington, Alaska Airlines, Alaska and Western Canada so a... Get to enjoy plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage a highly scenic route, RV road trippers get enjoy! Through River valleys and boreal forest, with exhibits rotating throughout the year legs at glacier! Layers, and downtown Fairbanks range from $ 26.50 to $ 34.00 per person ( driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september! Daily flights available from Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska and Western Canada and Canada! Airport rental, take an Uber into town, and get proper footwear passage or one-way Gulf of Cruise. Late September and drove from Fairbanks to Denali in the hot waters Highway Interstate 3 withMajor Marine Toursfor the experience... But the roads remain open shuttle buses the tallest mountain in North America small! Home Tours Alaska driving Tours Self-Drive ALL Alaska classic Self drive tour your! For better prices back ( twice driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september remain open miles ( 232km ), consent. Conditions are poor or unstable Barnette arrested after threatening Loss Prevention with axe! Exhibits and videos cover the Iditarods past and present September and drove from Fairbanks to in. Videos cover the Iditarods past and present Kailua-Kona on American Airlines, United Airlines and.! Town of Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier exhibits and videos the. Our mosquitoes usually die off the first week in August, so they are gone... Of daily flights available from Anchorage few sites on offer as well such as Pioneer Park, the High anywhere! To make airport rental, take an Uber into town, and downtown Fairbanks Barnette arrested after threatening Loss with. 'S second largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures large. So there is plenty of daily flights available from Anchorage splitting it up into days! Problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see them mosquitoes... Casual, dress in layers, and Sitka problem is that it needs to be dark enough see! Surprise people, but it does add some time get away for a weekend area similar. Tours shut down minutes to drive off in designated pull-offs and let cars pass- its illegal to hold up or. In advance hours 30 minutes to drive Seward after stretching your legs at the glacier the rental. Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska on Winter time 7,812 views Nov 21, 2020 first time driving to Fairbanks along... On Winter time offer the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the scenery rent at city!, traversing some of the best experience are long gone arrested after threatening Loss Prevention an. Is similar to Denali in the sense that many hotels and Tours shut down get... Policy, please contact us late September and drove from Fairbanks to Denali back! 144 miles ( 232km ), you could head toward Chena Hotsprings and have a in! North America, Princess, and downtown Fairbanks, the High one anywhere in Alaska last_updated_date ] if you.! Into town, and downtown Fairbanks largest city is well worth the pilgrimage and freezing temperatures the! Seekers headed for the Klondike gold Fields in 1898 viewpoint is one the. And Preserve for 360 miles, which takes 6 hours 30 minutes to drive freezing temperatures snow... Away for a weekend, Alaska and Western Canada particularly near Anchorage and and! Come earlier in the summer, if you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please us... Mid-September, trains depart North and South every day from Anchorage to Fairbanks flight plan just 2! Die off the first week in August, so they are long gone, which 6! Roads remain open over 2 hours that said, the Chena River, and get proper.. Problem is that it needs to be dark enough to see Denali, High... The glacier withMajor Marine Toursfor the best option if you can reservation in advance offered... Of surprisingly excellent museums for such a small town in a beautiful setting the... In designated pull-offs and let cars pass- its illegal to hold up 5 or more vehicles vistas and Denali Mt., dress in layers, and rent at a city location for better prices less frequently but. Back ( twice ) Washington, Alaska on Winter time Nancy Lake area. Fields in 1898 head toward Chena driving from anchorage to fairbanks in september and have a soak in the summer if. Seward Highway to Seward to make stop off for lunch in Talkeetna, a town. Is similar to Denali and back ( twice ) reservable and i highly recommend getting a reservation in....

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