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Winter in Alaska is magical. Suppose Aurora Borealis, strolling with reindeer, ice sculpting competitions, and canine sledding. After which there’s the winter driving in Alaska.
I used to be in Fairbanks, Alaska, final February for a convention and rented a car. Little did I do know that the foundations of the street for winter driving in Alaska could possibly be so completely different from driving in my hometown of Denver. Nonetheless, I beloved having wheels and freedom to discover—at occasions, with white knuckles.
Regardless that I reside in Colorado, I’m not a fan of driving in snow. So, I listened carefully as a employees member with Discover Fairbanks shared tips on motoring round earlier than I picked up my rented 2020 Nissan Rogue.
Ideas and recommendation for winter driving in Alaska
“Rule primary: Don’t brake,” suggested Amy Geiger, director of Communications with Discover Fairbanks.
“What?” I assumed to myself. “Don’t brake?”
I discovered quickly sufficient that not braking is sweet recommendation. It’s greatest to not use your brakes to decelerate, or you might slide. Take your foot off the fuel, and also you’ll progressively decelerate.
Rule quantity two: “Don’t underneath any circumstances go previous a city named Livengood, about 60 miles north of Fairbanks,” Geiger continued. “You’ll find yourself on the Ice Highway.”
Suppose Ice Highway Truckers, the fact present the place truckers drive their rigs on routes that embody frozen lakes and rivers. The present offers me nightmares, and that’s the final place I needed to search out myself. It’s distant, dangerous, and greatest left to the professionals.
I circled the city of Livengood on the map and marked it with a large X.
Rule quantity three: “Don’t merge too rapidly. Individuals listed here are used to numerous house, and so they don’t wish to be crowded.”
Geiger went over just a few extra of the commonsense fundamentals, comparable to having additional meals, water, and blankets, and added that cellphone service could possibly be sketchy in sure areas exterior of city.
“That’s about it,” Geiger stated with a smile. “Watch out, and have enjoyable.”
Winter Driving in Alaska
From our convention room, the place we have been staying at Pikes Waterfront Lodge, we made our option to Alaska Auto Rental, the place employees handed out maps to the a number of of us renting automobiles. He additionally had just a few extra suggestions: “Comply with the tracks in entrance of you and drive together with your headlights on, day or night time.” Then, a employees member turned over the keys to a shiny new Nissan Rogue.
I beloved the car however quickly found that my Sorels, excellent for strolling on snow and ice, have been clumsy when driving. I couldn’t “really feel” the pedals. Later, I discovered a tip from an area to produce other sneakers or boots helpful which are much less awkward when driving.
I struggled as soon as I noticed that on wintery, cloudy days, snow-covered streets blended in with the colorless sky; there was no depth of subject. I couldn’t appear to differentiate the place the medians have been. Therefore, I drove a lot slower than all the opposite visitors.
To the credit score of each driver on the street—a minimum of the day I used to be behind the wheel—not one individual honked and even gave me the stink eye as they handed.
Try my Alaska winter packing listing for excessive temperatures.
What’s it wish to drive in Alaska in winter?
Fairbanks is a straightforward city to navigate, even with its many one-way streets. Nonetheless, I made the choice to not go away town limits. With solely 24 hours to discover, I didn’t need the stress of heading down the freeway, not realizing the place or when the following exit was. I’ve a horrible sense of route, and even with my cellphone’s GPS, I didn’t need to find yourself anyplace close to the Ice Highway.
You need to plug in your automotive
After a few hours by myself, I recruited one other convention attendee to hitch me in exploring the city. Within the foyer of our lodge, earlier than we walked to the parking zone, I requested her to remind me after we returned to plug within the automotive. She quizzed with a smile, “We now have a Tesla?”
As a Californian, she had even much less expertise than I did driving in snowy situations. However collectively, we had one of the best time maneuvering city, along with her navigating and me gripping the wheel on the 10:00 and a pair of:00 positions, as I discovered in highschool drivers’ ed.
However neither of us had ever plugged in a automotive. Plugging in your car in Alaska is a part of life. It’s to forestall the engine from freezing. Seeing energy cables protruding the hood of automobiles can also be an on a regular basis sight. You plug the twine right into a block heater, which is in public locations, inns, and a few companies.
Roads aren’t salted in Alaska
One other tidbit I discovered is that town doesn’t use salt (in the event that they do, it’s sparingly) on streets. The salt could make its method into native creeks and streams and hurt wildlife. Sand appears to be the higher choice.
Whereas I couldn’t verify this, I’m unsure they plow a lot, both. As my pal and I drove in search of sights to {photograph}, I stated, “Let’s go down this little avenue. Do you assume they plow the aspect streets?”
“What do you imply?” she replied. “They don’t plow the major streets?”
She was proper, and we each giggled as we continued our seek for a breakfast place and a parking place. We discovered each. (The Crepery serves wonderful salmon crepes and espresso. Parking in a close-by lot was straightforward.)
Earlier than I arrived in Fairbanks, I assumed getting an Uber was the most suitable choice. Not so. With staffing shortages and hovering fuel costs, Uber and Lyft drivers may be few and much between.
Learn my article about 29 Issues to Do in Fairbanks Alaska Summer season and Winter
Depend on native rides as a substitute of Uber
The excellent news is that each individual in Fairbanks we met was pleasant and useful. One small enterprise proprietor even supplied to shut the store and provides my pal and me a trip when he heard me on the cellphone making an attempt to rearrange a taxi. That’s small-town kindness at its greatest.
On the finish of the day, when it got here time to plug in (the corporate suggests plugging in if temperatures fall beneath zero), I requested somebody at Pikes Waterfront Lodge to assist, and so they gladly did.
Plugging within the automotive was straightforward sufficient. However I did make a remark to myself that night time: Bear in mind to unplug the automotive earlier than driving away the following morning.
Driving Distances Past Fairbanks
Temperatures can fall nicely beneath zero, and guests should take every part about winter driving in Alaska severely. The Alaska Division of Transportation recommends to examine the street situations earlier than you go.
Regardless that I made a decision to not enterprise exterior town limits, a few of my colleagues did and had a wonderful expertise. Listed here are some choices to contemplate if you wish to discover past Fairbanks:
Chena Scorching Springs
Chena Scorching Springs is about 60 miles from Fairbanks on a paved, maintained street; nevertheless, the freeway may be icy, and cell service is unpredictable. The excellent news is there’s an excellent likelihood to see moose, and the drive by the forest is attractive. (I made the journey in a van with a dozen of my colleagues and an area driver.) You too can e-book a shuttle with Chena Scorching Springs Resort.
Dalton Freeway
The Dalton Freeway takes a number of days for those who drive all the way in which to the North Slope, and also you’ll be driving on the gravel a part of the way in which. Examine with the automotive rental firm first to verify they assist you to take the car on this journey. It may be clever to contemplate this one for summer time journey, however everytime you go, you’ll have superb views and visits to cities filled with character and historical past, together with Coldfoot, Deadhorse, and Prudhoe Bay.
Richardson Freeway
As Alaska’s oldest freeway, the Richardson Freeway connects Fairbanks to Valdez and takes you thru Keystone Canyon to Worthington Glacier. You’ll be capable to view the Alaska pipeline subsequent to the freeway as you drive from Valdez to Delta Junction. This journey takes planning and preparation, which implies greater than packing an additional vitality bar. Locals pack gear for surprising (or intentional) tenting and cooking in a single day: spare tires, heat clothes, water, and a primary assist equipment. And since fuel stations are typically far aside, make sure you all the time have sufficient fuel and don’t reduce it shut.
You’ll come throughout the Lodge at Black Rapids as you journey on the Richardson Freeway. It is a tremendous place to cease and benefit from the landscapes round you. You’ll be able to study extra concerning the Lodge at Black Rapids on this article.
Parks Freeway
The George Parks Freeway, also called the Parks Freeway, connects Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. This drive is filled with gorgeous surroundings and views of Denali and wildlife; it’s an epic Alaska street journey. The Parks Freeway is well-traveled and maintained, even within the winter. If you wish to go to Denali Nationwide Park within the winter, you’ll take this route. Denali Nationwide Park is open within the winter – but only a few individuals go to. Really – it’s partially open. The principle street within the park is open so far as the Park Customer Heart. There, you’ll discover rangers to speak to, and you may even borrow…sure, borrow snowshoes and poles to go discover Denali Nationwide Park lined in snow! It’s a magical time to go to Denali, and also you’ll really feel like you might have it totally for your self!
The right way to Hire a Automobile in Fairbanks for the Winter
The best method is to easily hire a automotive on the airport. Should you don’t need to drive after a flight that arrives at midnight or later (which many do), some rental corporations will ship a car to your lodge.
All the automotive leases in Alaska may have winter tires, in order that’s a bonus. However in case you are actually hesitant or fearful about driving on salt-free, icy roads, then reserve a automotive with studded tires. These will present one of the best traction; nevertheless, it’ll additionally value extra to hire.
Be sure you know tips on how to use the automotive plugin characteristic, as that is one thing you’ll almost definitely want to make use of. Additionally, earlier than you’re taking off from the airport, be sure that your rental has a heavy-duty ice/snow scraper. A tiny one gained’t do!
Recap of Alaska Winter Driving Ideas
- Don’t brake; as a substitute, take your foot off the fuel.
- Don’t put on clunky boots; have an additional pair of driving sneakers inside your automotive.
- Give individuals loads of house
- Hire a automotive with studs for additional security
- Plug in your automotive if it’s beneath zero
- Plan forward and ensure you have a full take of fuel
- Drive together with your headlights on day or night time
- Take a paper map with you as a result of cell connections are unreliable
- It’s all the time a good suggestion to let somebody know the place you’re going and if you anticipate to be again
- Pack additional meals, water, matches, and a blanket
- Guarantee you might have an ice scraper in your rental automotive.
The place to Keep If You Go to Fairbanks, Alaska, in Winter
Pikes Waterfront Lodge is the place to remain in Fairbanks. The lodge is a five-minute drive from the airport and gives a 24-hour shuttle service. Workers will recommend corporations who might help in your quest to see the Northern Lights and can even place a name on to your room if there’s a sighting.
Extra Fairbanks, Alaska Winter Journey Ideas
To name a taxi, strive Eagle & Yellow Cab at 907.455.5555 (about $15 from the Pikes Waterfront Lodge to downtown Fairbanks), Moose Taxi at 907.452.7000, or Pioneer Taxi at 907.987.0471.
Go to Discover Fairbanks for extra details about planning your journey to Fairbanks.
