Pacific NW to Kenai Alaska in...8 days...!

May 6, 2006 1:04 AM

Any advice for my son, his girlfriend and their black lab, who are driving from Seattle to Kenai, Alaska, leaving tomorrow in a stuffed Subaru. Cautions, cheap hotels, not-to-be-missed sites, route suggestions, something they should not forget to bring (they have duct tape at least) They're 26ish and going to Kenai for jobs.
posted by lois1950 to travel & transportation (5 comments total)

This site might be helpful.
Also traveling through Canada with pets will require a certificate of rabies vaccination certifying the animal has been vaccinated during the preceding 36 months or 12 months of certificate with no expiration date. Certificate must describe animal and give the date of vaccination.
posted by Tenuki at 2:02 AM on May 6, 2006

Well there's only one route so that's not a big concern. You need passports and a certain amount of cash or readily available credit to cross the Canadian border headed for AK, last time I did it it was $1500 but that was a while ago. You also need tags for the dog and proof of vaccinations. Probably some other stuff so call ahead if you haven't already. If they're bringing firearms and you haven't already done the paperwork then they aren't, basically.

The Alcan is dirt for large chunks of the way so a spare or two are a really good idea. So is spare oil, lots of washer fluid, coolant, belts and water. And enough sustenance to survie if you puncture an oilpan and have to wait to be rescued. Cell phones won't work but there are plenty of folks on the road this time of year so no biggie. There is a lot of wildlife along the way so a basic education in bears 'n' moose 'n' mosquitos is mandatory as is the requisite gear and the requisite dog training.

Most people, including me, camp the entire way so I can't help you on the hotels. Be warned that white gas and iso are not sold too much in the Territories or Bush so if that's the only stoves they have consider grabbing a cheapy Coleman.

If they're headed to Kenai and want to buy anything when they get there, buy it in Anchorage, it will be half the price. Depending on the jobs they are going to that's a good place to buy all their work gear too.

If the car is really stuffed, take some stuff out. The road can be crappy and people bust springs on it regularly. If they're headed up there for the summer they don't need much.

Otherwise, have a good time!
posted by fshgrl at 2:07 AM on May 6, 2006

Take the Cassiar that goes up the west coast. The Alaska highway is l-o-n-g. Make sure they have a spare tire, and if their tires are iffy, I might take a can of that awful green goop.

Mosquitoes are unbelievable in Alaska - take spray. It is an absolutely beautiful drive and once in Alaska, the camping is free - you can even pull into a turn out and camp. It has been about 20 years, so some of the advice may be out of date.

My daughter and husband went to school in Fairbanks he he was raised in Alaska. If you drop an email to my profile I will give you their email address if you need a little more knowledgeable advice.
posted by phewbertie at 2:07 AM on May 6, 2006

Get a copy of The Milepost. It's mostly for tourists but if you're going to go the land route through Canada it's packed with info.
posted by rolypolyman at 3:03 AM on May 6, 2006

I've never done this route, but I have crossed the Canadian/American border a lot and recommend they bring proof of employment (letters or emails offering them jobs) to show Canada Customers that they are truly just passing through, plus of course passports (they aren't strictly required yet but will make border crossings much, much easier) and the above-mentioned vaccination proof for their dog. They should read this.

If they spend more than a couple hundred dollars in Canada, it's worthwhile to save receipts and apply for the GST rebate.

I don't know if this is close to their route or not, but if they are sf fans, they may want to check out Vulcan, Alberta. Seeing the Enterprise and stopping for a Spock burger and fries at the local diner will only take maybe a half-hour, so if it isn't too far out of the way, it could be a fun place for a pit-stop.
posted by joannemerriam at 10:04 AM on May 6, 2006