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Realistically thinking (assuming for a moment that you'd like to drive), first decide how many miles you can handle per day-on paved and on unpaved roads. Using your maps, make a few rough calculations of the days
required for your basic driving time north.
Time for exploring.
Assuming you want more than an asphalt/gravel vacation, decide how much time you'd like to spend exploring on your own-fishing, hunting, picture taking, perhaps a bush-or float-plane flight, and so forth.
Time for rest.
Perhaps you'd just like to gaze at Mt. McKinley for one full, uninterrupted day. Or wander the moon-like landscape of Katmai National Park. Or ponder a floating iceberg in Glacier Bay National Park. In Alaska, you will want to do that sort of thing, so make sure to plan the time.
Lining up the attractions.
What, specifically, is there to see? Take some time-right now-to scan Bell's Alaska Travel Guide and National Parks sections, which include both Alaska and the Yukon. You'll soon see that each town, park and monument, has its own distinctive personality.Which ones appeal? Make yourself a list.
Consider the options.
With an appreciation of the vastness of the North, with some idea of the driving time needed to get there, and the time you'd like to spend for exploring and/or resting, and with your personal list of special attractions, you're in a position to begin some serious planning. You may also be ready to consider some of the options, other than just driving, for seeing Alaska. Here they are:
Alaska Marine Highway.
You can board a modern ferry ship in Bellingham, Washington or in Prince Rupert, BC, drive your vehicle aboard, and stop at any of seven colorful towns on Alaska's Inside Passage. The ferries are fast and efficient, and feature economical meals and stateroom accommodations. There are good highway connections at Haines and Skagway that lead to the world famous Alaska Highway.
Sailings across the Gulf of Alaska, connecting Juneau, Valdez and Seward, are scheduled monthly during the summer and less frequently during the winter.
British Columbia Ferries.
During the summer, you can drive to the northern end of Vancouver Island and take a scenic ride through mostly sheltered waters to Prince Rupert, BC, where you can transfer onto the Alaska Marine Highway system or connect to Highway 16. This is a good alternative to driving the 946 miles from Vancouver to Prince Rupert.
Airline approaches.
If you want to spend most of your time in Alaska, you may wish to consider going there by air. For example it's a simple matter to have breakfast in Denver, lunch in Seattle and supper in Anchorage. Less travel time is the big advantage here. But also weigh the costs of air travel vs. gas, accommodations, food and other expenses associated with driving north and you may make some surprising discoveries.
The Cruise Option.
With cruises growing in popularity, many travelers have simply decided to head for Vancouver, Los Angeles or San Francisco, walk aboard a gleaming cruise ship, unpack their bags, and relax their way through a peaceful, week-long cruise on the Inside Passage. Gourmet foods, onboard educational and entertainment programs, shoreside excursions-and time to unwind-make the cruise option a real consideration. However, you can't see all of Alaska from a cruise ship, so you may want to consider a combination package that takes you further. (See Package Tours.)
The Alaska Highway.
This is the "classic" way to travel to Alaska-a 1520 mile motor trek at your own pace through sweeping forests, along fish-laden lakes and rivers, past rustic lodges and wilderness campgrounds that invite you to stay a while. A special "extra" in this method is the accessibility of Canada's Yukon territory, the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush where the history of that ribald era still kicks its heels in Dawson City and Whitehorse. The drive is long, but the reward is a "feel" for the North and her people, and a certain oneness with nature. Be sure to note the Cassiar approach to the Alaska Highway. For more details click on the options at the top of the page.
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