NM to Alaska

[lahad1]

Hello fellow travelers! We are thinking of a 3 month (or so) trip from NM to Alaska.
A bit of background. We have a 32ft Class C and we dolly tow our SUV. We have only been on a couple of small trips so far. So far our longest was 3 weeks to Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore. We are leaving in August for 2 months to New England. I am thinking of Alaska next summer. Looking at the route and at the moment it seems pretty dauting. I'm sure lots of RV'ers take off for Alaska all the time. So, I'm hoping to hear from a few of you.
Hoping to hear about route that was taken. Good stops along the way, places that you stayed. What you learned and what you wish you knew before you left. Seriously, I'll take anything!
Thanks in advance
L

 

[RangeMaggotBob]

Have you got your copy of "The Milepost" yet? It will answer 99% of your questions! We're planning the same trip for mid-May of 2024.

 

[Buster]

Haven't been myself (planning on a 2025 or 2026 timeframe), but lots of really good info on uTube and other RV forums from people who have made the trip. Not necessarily in the same RV as you have, but the experience will be similar. From what I have read, the trip requires some good planning but if you go during the main summer season then everything should be open.

Availability of spare/maintenance parts is something to consider. Like @RangeMaggotBob said, The Milepost probably has the most up to date info on what is open, what to do, etc.

 

[lahad1]

Thanks so much to both of you for the quick replies. I will look into The Milepost. Yes, summer for sure. Would probably leave NM the end of May, taking about 5-6 weeks to get there. Honestly, we have been to Alaska before, but not in the RV. I expect this trip to be more about getting there than being there. Plaining on Fairbanks to be our top destination. A couple of weeks to see the area, and then another 4-5 weeks getting home. Would like to get to Skagway either on the way up, or our way back home. Lots to consider and plan.
Really appreciate all the help.
L

 

[NWIP]

We have been twice it’s RV, 2019 & 2022 and great trip. Seeing how the trip to Alaska from Canadian border is approximately 2500 miles be sure you spend enough time in AK to see as much as you can.

Here is a thread for our trip and the places we visited

Alaska 2022

We are returning to Alaska this summer and will highlight places, campgrounds and events along the way. Day 1 Border Crossing was at Coutts which is I-15 north of Great Falls, MT. We spent the night before crossing at Great Falls RV Park (formerly Dick’s RV Park) which is a common place to for...

rvforums.com

 

[Nellybelle]

Take NO FIREARMS!

 

[lahad1]

NWIP, I read your 2022 Alaska trip report. Quite the experience. I will look into getting The Milepost.
Firearms.....I thought it was ok to take a rifle or a shotgun. Just no handguns.
Hubby will look into that portion of planning. I have the pleasure of doing all the rest.
Looking forward to starting
Thanks
L

 

[NWIP]

NWIP, I read your 2022 Alaska trip report. Quite the experience. I will look into getting The Milepost.
Firearms.....I thought it was ok to take a rifle or a shotgun. Just no handguns.
Hubby will look into that portion of planning. I have the pleasure of doing all the rest.
Looking forward to starting
Thanks
L

You are correct no handguns, certain rifles and shot guns are permissible.

 

[Neal]

I read on an aviation forum that you can get a permit, for a short period of time, for handguns, but carry limited ammo. To transit Canada enroute.

 

[Neal]

I read on an aviation forum that you can get a permit, for a short period of time, for handguns, but carry limited ammo. To transit Canada enroute.

And here is a follow up from the person that posted the above.

Trip update… Made it to the Canadian border with hand gun permit in hand. Unfortunately, the Canadian border patrol could care less about the federal permit issued by the Canadian royal mounted police. It appears one hand has no idea what the other hand is doing, nor do either branches of government care. In short. I was not allowed to bring a handgun into Canada. The border patrol did say they would allow a rifle or shotgun without any permit from the Canadian mounted police. Go figure.

 

[Joe Hogan]

We have been twice it’s RV, 2019 & 2022 and great trip. Seeing how the trip to Alaska from Canadian border is approximately 2500 miles be sure you spend enough time in AK to see as much as you can.

How hard is this trip on the RV? We'd love to go (a bucket list thingy) but worry about the RV intransit.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

When my mom went some years ago (2000). She said she would have done this if she had researched enough.

Ferry Travel.com - Route from RV Ferry to Alaska

RVs travelling on the ferries. Do ferries take Motorhomes, RVs on the ferry,

www.ferrytravel.com

By the way it avoids the. Canadian gun laws...

 

[NWIP]

How hard is this trip on the RV? We'd love to go (a bucket list thingy) but worry about the RV intransit.

We have done this trip and we have damaged 2 windshields. Coach will get some small rock chips due to the road construction creating gravel roads. Biggest thing is slow down and don’t be in a hurry.

We would (probably will) do the trip again. Our belief is we bought an RV to travel and don’t want to limit our choices.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

We have done this trip and we have damaged 2 windshields. Coach will get some small rock chips due to the road construction creating gravel roads. Biggest thing is slow down and don’t be in a hurry.

We would (probably will) do the trip again. Our belief is we bought an RV to travel and don’t want to limit our choices.

After my last post on this subject it dawned on me that some go to Alaska to traverse the Alaskan hyway!!! Duh!

So by all means have a wonderful trip! After all some people do the Baja 500, not to go to La Paz !!!! Right? Any how I digress.

No matter some of us must keep our rig in resaleable condition, for whatever the reason. .

So the ferry charges by the foot,the super hyway could leave you with a chipped up 1/2 million dollar RV someone will discount because of road damage!

What is one to do when their bucket list is calling and you can no longer egnore it's calling???

This is what I would do if! And that is a big if. I would buy someone else's bucket case! Sorry, I meant basket case to take the trip with. That would be better called, buying the right equipment for that demolition derby!! Want to go to Alaska via ferry? Buy a 24ft c for the trip and sell when you get back. You wouldn't take your RV on an ATV trail! Well I wouldn't! But I have seen it done.

If I had the calling, as I did with my cross country gold wing adventure, I would consider purchase of an RV that was suited for the task! Just saying!!!

 

[vermontcc]

Hello fellow travelers! We are thinking of a 3 month (or so) trip from NM to Alaska.
A bit of background. We have a 32ft Class C and we dolly tow our SUV. We have only been on a couple of small trips so far. So far our longest was 3 weeks to Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore. We are leaving in August for 2 months to New England. I am thinking of Alaska next summer. Looking at the route and at the moment it seems pretty dauting. I'm sure lots of RV'ers take off for Alaska all the time. So, I'm hoping to hear from a few of you.
Hoping to hear about route that was taken. Good stops along the way, places that you stayed. What you learned and what you wish you knew before you left. Seriously, I'll take anything!
Thanks in advance
L

We just got back from our cold turkey 7 000 mile sh akedown cruise. out through Ala Texas Arizona Cali. back through Nevada Arizona Colorado etc.
2012 winnie vista with tow dolly lesabre. we survived. learned ALOT heading back out in August from N C to Alaska. about 6 weeks. duration. I have an extensive travel plan on Google I can share with you. will cross at Coutts Alberta.

Hello fellow travelers! We are thinking of a 3 month (or so) trip from NM to Alaska.
A bit of background. We have a 32ft Class C and we dolly tow our SUV. We have only been on a couple of small trips so far. So far our longest was 3 weeks to Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore. We are leaving in August for 2 months to New England. I am thinking of Alaska next summer. Looking at the route and at the moment it seems pretty dauting. I'm sure lots of RV'ers take off for Alaska all the time. So, I'm hoping to hear from a few of you.
Hoping to hear about route that was taken. Good stops along the way, places that you stayed. What you learned and what you wish you knew before you left. Seriously, I'll take anything!
Thanks in advance
L

just got back from our 1st 6 week trip. 2012 winnie vista 27 foot with dolly towed lesabre. heading to AK for about 8 weeks round-trip from N C. we learned ALOT from our 1st trip. would be glad to share. have complete google maps trip planners up and back. [email protected]. I do extensive research. glad to share.

 

[vermontcc]

We just got back from our cold turkey 7 000 mile sh akedown cruise. out through Ala Texas Arizona Cali. back through Nevada Arizona Colorado etc.
2012 winnie vista with tow dolly lesabre. we survived. learned ALOT heading back out in August from N C to Alaska. about 6 weeks. duration. I have an extensive travel plan on Google I can share with you. will cross at Coutts Alberta.

just got back from our 1st 6 week trip. 2012 winnie vista 27 foot with dolly towed lesabre. heading to AK for about 8 weeks round-trip from N C. we learned ALOT from our 1st trip. would be glad to share. have complete google maps trip planners up and back. [email protected]. I do extensive research. glad to share.

My Maps

My Maps makes it easy for you to create beautiful maps and share them with others.

www.google.com

 

[boony]

NWIP, I read your 2022 Alaska trip report. Quite the experience. I will look into getting The Milepost.
Firearms.....I thought it was ok to take a rifle or a shotgun. Just no handguns.
Hubby will look into that portion of planning. I have the pleasure of doing all the rest.
Looking forward to starting
Thanks
L

Why do you think you need firearms????

 

[TheLooks]

Says the Canuck in Mexico without any.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I knew the programming was complete when in a bank in AZ someone came in With a holstered gun wearing a mask in 2021 and people had a fit!!!

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Why do you think you need firearms????

If I were heading up the AlCan wouldn't mind having a riffle along for the ride. List of fatal bear attacks in North America - Wikipedia