Tips for Driving to Alaska
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- Here are our 5 tips for traveling to Alaska and crossing the Canada Border, whether you are visiting for a trip or relocating, it is best to be prepared.
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Back in 1981, my sister and her 3 small children drove from Georgia to Kodiak, Alaska. This included 2 ferries. Her husband was already there getting house ready. She loved the drive which she made a few times alone. She was one independent chick.
In 1978, my family drove a Winnebago Brave from Virginia to Anchorage. Mom and Dad, four kids, and two dogs. The ALCAN highway was dirt back then.
Hi from India and I like watching your program
I drove from Florida to Canada (visiting Banff National Park) and I would include one more important thing about international travel.....call your cellular provider and pay for a daily plan that covers international calls. I did this in Eureka, Montana - right before entering Canada and saved myself a lot of money. I was traveling alone so it was important to keep in contact with my family and friends and for possible emergency situations. I am planning on driving to Alaska so this was helpful advice.
UPDATE: I moved to Alaska in August 2020 and just noticed I posted this comment before I moved from Florida. I am going to ballpark my total costs including paying for the 26' U-Haul truck and the car dolly transport was approximately $10k. And most of the time I spent the night in the U-Haul.
This video made me miss the snow, most people hate it.. but I love it everything just feels so much more alive.
Wow! That was not that bad, I thought would be more. But was high price to pay. The only bad part the is very difficult is crossing that distance. We need a nice map and updated. Man you guys where really prepared. Eric you and your wife rock! Congratulations. That explains why you guys are doing so well. National Geographic needs to start a contract with you guys! Peter
Being born and raised above the Arctic Circle and having lived in a few places around the state, it's interesting to watch the adventures and learning to live in AK by newcomers. Keep the videos coming and enjoy this new wonderful life you've chosen!!
Tim Alaska, thank you! :) Alaska is a beautiful place, choosing one area was not easy.
In March 8, 1942, Leonard Larkins and around 4,000 black American soldiers participated and built the highway acrossed Alaska 🇺🇸 to Canada 🇨🇦 during World War 2.
me and my buddy did Alaska in 3 days from PA. And we had to wait for a plane for his Girlfriend We even stopped for a tire replacement.. We did 4 hours turns on the drive. We also stopped and made food on the side of the road, Chicken< steak, potatoes, salads. Best 3 days of my life.
How were you able to do the trip in three days.
Although your gas may have been more expensive at the pump in Canada ... did you forget that you got a 30% or more premium on your US dollars? Depending on exchange rate when you travelled of course.
I had no idea that it would take 8 days / 7 nights to drive from Oregon to Alaska. Thanks for sharing!
It takes longer when you're pulling a trailer because you're going a lot slower. That trip driving just my pickup would take me 4.5 to 5 days.
Yeah, it takes longer when towing. You shouldn't travel as fast and have to stop more often, plus probably more tiring for the driver. I drove my suv from Florida to South Dakota in 2 days.
Katie H Next time use your google navigation or Waze!
Depends how you drive... You can make it there from Houston in 5 or 6 days if your putting in full days of driving (7am-10pm) also car camping helps with that, saves a lot of time and money to sleep in parking lots over night. Also I drive like a Texan so that probably helps.
plot hole detective for example -if you sleep on gas station -who will charge you ?!I mean regular car,not with trailer .I sleep in my car many times in gas station night time and nobody disturb me until morning !
I live in Oregon it's been a dream of mine to move to Alaska since I was little. Always wanted to see the northern lights, Fish the kenai river, bowhunt for for moose. Maybe someday.. 🙃
That sounds like a dream that i want to live out
I hope you make it
I'm actually watching this in preparation to move OUT of Alaska! We're heading to Chicago in 2023 but I'm for sure gonna keep watching this channel whenever I'm feeling homesick 🥺
So glad you included info about crossing into Canada! I think many people forget, or think everything is the same, but it’s a completely separate country with our own laws and regulations. You will not make it through the border if you try to bring guns and ammo, and may even be arrested. Our gun laws are radically different that yours.
Yeah we know you're all gay
Brandon Smith at least we are not shooting each other
That's not true.
If you're going to Alaska, you can bring guns and ammunition, but you have to declare them and fill out the proper paperwork.
@@nickdial8528 it depends on the type of firearm. Some guns are not allowed at all. Definitely best to contact Canada Customs and confirm ahead of time than have them confiscated at the border or be denied entry entirely.
@@andreasidlar7942
Wrong.
I already looked into this.
If an American is travelling through, they have specific forms that you fill out, so you can take your property to Alaska.
It has nothing to do with whether or not the firearm is illegal in Canada.
For example, AR-15s are no longer legal in Canada, but you can drive-through Canada on your way to Alaska or the states, with the proper paperwork if you own AR-15s.
Thank you for sharing I would never have thought it was such an endeavor to make that trip. It was nice to see the blooper it made you both look not so uptight. It’s good to see you laugh.
The two thumbs down people must not of made it to Canada LOL
This is so helpful!!!!!! We are moving to Palmer from Vancouver Washington. We had a trailer too and this video is so specific to our needs!! It’s like you made this video for us!!! Thank you so much!!!!!
Nichole Degner, we're glad to hear it was helpful for you. Palmer is an awesome area, we are just over the Pass :)
Good tips by the way! Smart idea on the suburban and camper!
You guys are so cool, great communicators
Hello from Michigan.Great video, thanks for sharing
Wow! A lot of great information in here. I had no idea what an immense trip that is.
The longest stretches were through Canada, it's a beautiful place but ginormous as well! :)
I have seen two of your videos, I enjoyed both very much. Thank you!
Had to watch again... Enjoy your channel so much. What a change on the homestead...
Thanks for your perspectives !!!
Great information guys thanks. Stay safe
Very very helpful. Thank u so much
I’m planning on moving and your channel has been the most helpful so far
ill be driving the same route in May thank you for the advice. Great channel.
Adventure Time, thank you! If you have a chance and it's on route Liard Hot Springs was awesome!
Great video, y’all make really good points! We came over in the middle of winter so driving was not an option, our cost was much higher.Regardless, it was worth-it!!!!
Alaska Dream Life, Absolutely! We agree we would not have made that trip in winter. Glad you made it and are enjoying life :)
@@SimpleLivingAlaska What about the first half of November from Oregon? We may need to drive, but planning on selling our travel trailer before we go because of the road conditions that time of year.
man alaska is like a very underrated state and its cold
Really helpful!
Great info! On my way!.......I wish
We recently received a rough quote to move from Arizona to Maine (11-14 K) that is just our belongings. We will still drive the nearly 3K miles on our own because we have pets. Honestly the planning has me a little nervous. Thanks for sharing info.
You guys are living my dream.
Great tips, hanks so much! Lol, you two...
Great Info!
Good info... thanks
Excellent advice!! ❣️♥️❣️
You guys are such beautiful couple!! :-) May God bless you both!! I enjoy your channel very much!! Greetings Martha from Florida (the sunshine state lol!!)
I love your bloopers! 😂😂😂
Klamath falls Oregon is listening and watching
I whached a episode of lawless Island and I decided that I will live my after retirement life in Alaska 👍🏼👍🏼
Great tips. Thanks
I really like watch ur videos guys, it´s kind of life style that I would like to try.
Grettings from Mexico
You guys are living my dream. Hopefully one day I will make it there too.
Thx again.
Awww you two are soo cool!!!! greetings from Argentina! Fede
Excellent information thank you.
Wow, so much good information. Great job you guys. Should be really helpful for someone making the trip. That's cool that you could sell the truck and trailer to get some money back. Loved the out take.The dark ending... been there done that. Dang it! 😀
Almost Homestead, we noted that after posting and thought we changed it, apparently not. Thanks for the heads up!
Great tips! I'm not moving anywhere but I'm converting a van into a camper and Alaska's on my list of destinations.
sjackson99, Definitely a must visit place if you haven't! :)
Such a journey you guys picked! Brave, energetic, smart, and patient!
Wish you guys a verygood life there. You eill be succeessful!
I am confused about food! Can not bring food across tje border of Canada? How could you guys survive? I work in Dntal field , too!
Love your channel! I watch atmleast once daily! I love adventure!
Good luck!
Cute and well done.
i enjoy watching your videos my son and i are planning on making the move this summer
good advice.
Thanks for the video I was curious about the cost to get there from the lower 48
Hi I am from Singapore. Enjoying your videos
Great tips 👍
Very smart 👍
That’s unbelievable guys
Out takes are always funny.
very helpful, thank you can you also give us some tips on selecting land?
Good info
Great video. It was 5000 for us to rent a Uhaul from Kansas to Alaska.
Rustic By Nature, that's not bad for the distance!
I'm sitting here south of Wichita and have always wanted to check out the big state, possibly move there one day. I used to be a u haul dealer along with a small mechanic shop and I remember the 26 foot trucks were ten grand to most places up there. I think of the countless videos I watch on youtube, Alaska seems to be the highest on the list for me.
Thanks for the info. Headed up in the spring the shipping of firearms was good to know.
Great video & awesome living!
Please make a video about how did you guys put your stuff on Amazon,?!
Thank you
Late Aug, early Sept.1991, We left ATX with as much as we could load in a VW Fox, 2 cats, and $1000 dollars in travelers checks. We hit Anchorage with $100.
145 miles of mud in BC because they were redoing the AlCan for the 50th anniversary, let me tell you how much fun that was at about 40 mph. Snow in Toad River, really not prepared for that.
Almost 2 weeks, 5000+ miles... Would definitely do it again.
Oh, yeah, and border crossing delays because of Canadian border guard strike. Took us 5 hours to get through, 90+ degrees heat. Angry cat in car... not fun.
Gas was fun too, about 250 - 300 miles between towns with gas stations. Don't know what it's like now, but back then it was never pass a gas station... evar.
I live in Healy near Denali National park. I was wondering where you all were located, because your gardens are so productive. I need some gardening advice. Got to grow something this year need the food but not successful.
Your dog is tentively listening... 2:22
Thank you for this little touch of your back story! But I want to know more!!!! Your jobs in Oregon, previous lifestyle, planning time. Did you visit Alaska prior to making the move. How can you afford all of the "luxury" mechanical equipment you own? Is there. A few videos on this or blogs, etc? Thank you from Gresham, Oregon!
This!!
wow,,,as usual,,,
Wow, never even considered some of these issues.
very good to know i am planning on movint to AK with in the next few weeks here. very good to know these things. im from colo would it be shorter to drive to washington and do the ferry so i can bring my firearms ??
I wondered where your trailer and suv went. That sounded like a much better idea than renting a truck for thousands of dollars.
Nick Donaldson, we were happy with this choice, it was nice for our cats to have a place to stay and not have to look for pet friendly hotels on the way.
I thought I’ve seen them still having a trailer & that off road vehicle, plus a truck in videos a year or more later. Wonder if they bought them after being there awhile. Don’t know which ones they sold. Great video as always.
Thank you for the videos .. interesting to view how you guys made the move and transition to living in Alaska . my question is how did you transport your handguns to Alaska ?? I've heard that you can transport rifles through Canada as long as barrel length is 16inches or longer .. is that correct ? I'm planning to travel to Alaska via travel trailer and possibly stay in a full time RV park/resort area or boon dock as long as possible .
John Wig, we did a video awhile back, Shipping Firearms. If I remember correctly I believe the barrel length is at least 18 or 20" and special paperwork is required for any rifle that is semi automatic but please don't take our word for it. There is a website that you can get all the correct up to date info if you will be traveling through with firearms.
This was our video: ruclips.net/video/sZB2Ct-zZx0/видео.html
Thanks for reply .. I'll have to look up that video of how you shipped your firearms . @@SimpleLivingAlaska
Hey folks, just watched your video.
Interesting what you paid.
Also interesting how long it took you. I'm sure you weren't in a super hurry.
I'm a over the road truck driver, I pull out of Fairbanks Alaska and run to Jacksonville Florida every month.
One way it's 5281 miles for me.
Usually takes me 10 to 12 days down and 10 to 12 back up.
I'm originally from Utqiagvik Alaska. Born and raised.
Welcome to Alaska, if no one has said anything to you yet...
I'm guessing you've experienced the sticker shock on food prices.
It's worse in Utqiagvik.
So, again, welcome to Alaska....
I'll be a new viewer of your channel
James Pangborn that sounds like an awesome run you make! Talk about amazing scenery! Thanks for welcoming us we are truly enjoying your home state.
why why we have made it quite far from these days, keep up the great work!
I figured that's what happened to the truck and trailer, probably the best decision if you don't need two vehicles
The suburban was awesome but we did not need the trailer, we were happy someone could use them here.
Great information. The move? Was it your first time to Alaska?
That stretch between Destruction Bay and the Alcan border is a desolate ride. We had to wait on a pilot truck for over an hour and other than a semi we were the only north bound traffic for the entire wait....and then they were just sweeping the gravel??? I second the getting gas at EVERY gas station that you come to regardless of how much you have in the tank. Gorgeous drive though.
We agree about filling up, we enjoyed the drive but it was long and not too many other folks were traveling. The Kluane area was a favorite of ours :) There was only one spot we waited for a considerable amount of time but altogether we stopped quite a bit for construction.
There’s cell service most of the way through BC.
What kinda food did you ship to Alaska ? How much was it to ship the firearms ?
Big_A, we cover the cost of shipping the firearms in a previous video but it cost $480. There is some info in the video as to why you have to ship certain firearms, modern pistols have to be shipped overnight. We shipped potatoes, garlic, shallots, onions and some other home goods, primarily because you cannot bring certain foods with any soil matter and our crops from the garden had dirt on them (it's not as simple as just washing them). It was pretty strict but for a reason.
You left out your cabin! I don't recall if you said the cost of that in one of your previous videos.
Susan Highfield, we have not gone over that, although we probably will touch on that in a future video. We hadn't quite finalized things with this place when we made the move and there was also a cost to stay in an RV park for a few weeks but we tried our best to include all the costs we spent on moving.
What did you guys do for work before this?
@@nonamepainter Imagine going to the dentist and seeing Eric's mug staring down at you.
I took a vehicle on a ferry out of Bellingham, WA to Haines Junction, AK. Its another route one can use also. Question: Did you make it without a cracked windshield? I heard it happens frequently on the Canadian roads...
Can you provide more info on this? What is the ferry's name, how much, how often it runs, etc.
@@damondiehl5637 been 30 years sorry. But I hear Google is the way to go now.... Lol
Thanks for sharing all of that great info! I decided I am selling my house and everything in it. It will be me, my dawg and my new Rav4... but I'm sure the expenses will still be quite high since I'm coming from Florida. Do you know if there is a dog food restriction crossing the border? I have been looking at all of the rules and my plan is to purchase a few big bags of dog food prior to leaving but I don't want any issues at the border because of dog food! Thanks again!
Actually...just found a long list of info regarding that. Thankfully I think most pet foods/treats are in compliance. As long as I don't eat it myself or feed it to another animal/person lol
Wilson IB Math, glad you found it, there is some strange things you wouldn't think about on there but we called ahead and they are nice at the crossing they just verified our story.
Just have a current rabies certificate. Chances are they won't even ask to see it. I've never had to show one, but I had a Labrador Retriever with me.
What brand and model vehicle are desired in Alaska, as in easy to resell?
Thanks for the video guys. A little feedback: The cost breakdown is very unclear $10,500 for what exactly?
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Isn’t there a ferry you can grab instead of driving thru Canada? I know that ferry out of Seattle? For a semi going across is 250.00 one way but it gets you into anchorage unless viewing countryside is what people want 🤷♀️
The price tag is prohibitive
I’m so confused by the burned out school bus. Haven’t seen that in your videos before.....
Hi with fish for northern Pike try a hotdog i see thay will bite on that
Couldn't you guys take the Alaskan ferry in Bellingham w.a. to alaska and wonder if you could bring firearms that way cause your not going into another country
Great tips.. How much was gas in Canada? Have a fantastic day you two..!!
living Off Grid McGarvey style, when we went through we did the conversion and it ranged anywhere from $4 to 4.50 US currency.
@@SimpleLivingAlaska Wow that's cheap! 4.50 USD/gallon = 1,07 EUR/liter
We pay 1,78 Euro/liter = 7.50 USD/gallon (2019-08-01 prices)
Gas is 1.40-1.50 Cdn per litre in BC right now, and there are approx 4 litres in a US gallon.
In the winter a lot of the hotels are closed, and the food in Canada tastes wierd.
All the major towns have hotels that are open all year long. The only long stretch without hotels is between Fort Nelson and Fort St John.
@@AlaskaErik that's good to know. They were closed when I drove through in 2001.
Are there enough hotels along the way if you don’t have a camper/trailer?
Yes you just have to know where.
Boe & Bunny from Southern AZ. Looking to homebase in Willow area because of daughter and grandson in Wasilla AK. Do not want to make it to easy for baby sitting..LOL. Food we can not take into/through Canada? Really...what?
How many miles is it? 5-6 days seems very long.
I dont think I would be organized enough to make the drive. I have a lot of family in Alaska. It would be nice to visit.
PG Nano Farm, do you have family throughout Alaska? It is a wonderful place to visit.
@@SimpleLivingAlaska I have family in Sitka and the North Pole and other parts I dont remember much of the name. Some travel cuz they are nurses that move to different areas
I wonder. Would it have been cheaper to carry gas instead of fueling up in Canada?
Better to stick with fueling up in Canada, you don't want to be carrying hundreds of gallons of gas that could end up being a time bomb. We always did carry five gallon extra for generator use. We never got under a half a tank through there like getting down to one fourth tank of gas in the lower 48. There was one big truck load delivered into far North Canada no FM radio station to be found.
Great tips. You know what they say, there are two seasons in Alaska, winter and road construction. 😂
My video went black after the number three blooper, but my signal sucks so it’s probably on my end. 👍
That was on our end, it took awhile to update :)