Alaska Highway - Dawson Creek - BC Segment - Yukon Segment - Drive to Alaska

Alaska Highway Itinerary

Take a moment to read through our well seasoned itinerary designed around safely and satisfyingly Driving the Alaska Highway and having both you and your RV survive the adventure in one piece.

Gathering and Packing for the Trip

Prepping ole betsy for the trip includes making sure every nut and bolt is securely attached and all critical bolts are lock-tighted to prevent them from rattling free. This includes the trailer hitch, lug nuts, door hinges and auxiliary lighting and so on.

On our southern leg of the 2010 drive to Alaska, we had more go wrong then on any of the thirty one trips prior. The roads, both Alaska and Yukon, were in the worst shape of any previous trip. Just out of Chickaloon Alaska all the way through the Stony Mountains in B.C. there were frost heaves the size of small mountains. But the worst of the road is from Tok Alaska to Burwash Landing in the Yukon, we averaged just a meager 30 miles per hour and still broke or shook loose a number of items.

What complicated our trip the most was loosing the rear axle seals for the third time after Johnson Tire in Soldotna replaced them twice in the week prior to our departure. Later it was found that the vent line was disconnected and plugged causing the axle lubes to leak out and soak the rear brakes with oil. We totally lost the rear brakes on a 9K, 5.5 mile, long 8.5% grade in B.C. The front brakes were smoking when we took advantage of a runaway ramp near the bottom of the hill. Needless to say we stood by with fire extinguishers for an hour or better before limping into the next town for repairs. Lesson: always use certified service centers for all repairs and maintenance where competent and trained mechanics complete jobs they are qualified to perform. This saves you from costly towing and repairs in the lonely outback of the Alaska Highway.

You need all the normal items that most of us keep in our motorhomes at all times. These items we will not be covering here but instead will add those that are either essential and necessary or convenient and cost effective to include.

So here it is, our must bring items for anyone looking at a drive to Alaska in the coming season.

  1. Insect Repellant; should contain DEET provided you are not allergic to it. We prefer Ben's over the other brands and carry both the spray and the bottle for maximum protection. Insect Repellant is a must on this trip so get it early and keep it handy.
  2. Small plastic totes for in the cabinets will keep your food organized and in one place. Without these, everything is rolling around and making a big mess as the twisting, turning, roads begin their shake, rattle and roll of everything that passes over them.
  3. Spare Tire, at least one new spare for the coach and one for any tow vehicle or trailer.
  4. Hub and Bearings for trailers. Don't forget the grease...
  5. Tool Kit, needs to include wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, channel lock pliers, hacksaw, RTV sealant, DC4 dielectric compound, wire crimpers, wire and wire connectors, extra light bulbs, spray lube, flashlight, jumper cables, and any special tools for your coach or tow behind.
  6. Chain Saw; I purchased a rechargeable unit at Lowe's that worked very well in gathering some firewood in the remote areas we visited. The electric ones are also great but be sure to have a couple hundred feet of 12 gauge extension cord with you if you go this route.
  7. Propane torch to get wet wood burning.
  8. Water filters for purifying the line prior to filling your fresh water tanks or connecting to city water.

Read: Before you leave, as these items should have been completed for a safe trip over the Alaska Highway.