The ALCAN, Still one of the last great adventures? 

For travelers who crave wide-open roads, rugged scenery, and the thrill of spotting wild animals in their natural habitat, few road trips compare to the legendary ALCAN Highway. Officially known as the Alaska Highway, this iconic route winds through some of North America’s most breathtaking wilderness. Whether you’re planning your first epic drive or returning for a second adventure, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your journey. For years I heard about

Where the ALCAN Highway Begins and Ends

The ALCAN Highway begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, a small town that proudly marks Mile 0 with a famous signpost that’s become a must-stop photo op. From there, the highway stretches 1,390 miles (2,237 km) northwest through Yukon Territory and ends in Delta Junction, Alaska, about 98 miles southeast of Fairbanks.

Originally built during World War II to connect the Lower 48 to Alaska for military purposes, the highway is now fully paved and maintained year-round, though travelers should always prepare for changing weather and road conditions.

The best advice I can give is to buy the Milepost (yes the book), it breaks down the ALCAN mile by mile (almost literally) and is spot on, it evens gives advice on where to see wildlife:https://themilepost.com/

Don't expect a lot of cell signal on your trip. We used a StarLink Mini and it worked very well: https://www.starlink.com/us?srsltid=AfmBOooXYWbo-hUkwQhxrFUiwndd1DlLd38I3O81Hzm2NjaHUiNi_P-g

Alternate Routes to Explore

While the ALCAN is the main artery, there are a few alternate routes that add variety, scenic detours, or new experiences:

-The Cassiar Highway (BC-37):  Starting near Kitwanga, British Columbia, this quieter route rejoins the ALCAN near Watson Lake, Yukon. It offers spectacular mountain scenery and fewer travelers—ideal for those who prefer a more off-the-beaten-path drive. There are fewer services on this route however it is well traveled.

-The Top of the World Highway: If you want a truly unique experience, consider detouring north at Tok, Alaska, and heading toward Dawson City, Yukon, via this high-ridge road. Open seasonally, it offers jaw-dropping panoramic views and a taste of the Klondike Gold Rush history.

-The Klondike Highway: Linking Skagway, Alaska, to Dawson City, Yukon, this route is a great addition for travelers who want to pair road tripping with a coastal ferry journey or explore historic towns.

Wildlife You Might See Along the Way

One of the greatest thrills of the ALCAN Highway is the abundant wildlife you can encounter right from your vehicle. Keep your camera ready and drive cautiously—you never know what might be around the next bend. Common sightings include:

-Bears: Both black bears and grizzlies are often spotted along the roadside, especially in spring and early summer. We didn't see Grizzlies on our trip however on one road outside of Fort Nelson we saw over 12 black bears on one road. 

-Moose and Caribou: These massive animals can appear suddenly, particularly near wetlands and forested stretches. 

-Wood Bison: Large herds roam freely in parts of northern British Columbia and the Yukon—one of the highway’s most memorable sights.

-Dall sheep, foxes, and eagles: From mountain slopes to river valleys, the diversity of wildlife is staggering. Bring some binoculars and scope the mountainsides.

Always observe animals from a safe distance and follow local guidelines to keep both you and the wildlife safe.

Planning Your ALCAN Adventure

Most travelers take 7 to 10 days to drive the ALCAN Highway, allowing time for sightseeing, hiking, and relaxing at scenic campgrounds or lodges. Services like gas, food, and lodging are available regularly along the route, but it’s wise to keep your tank topped off and carry basic supplies—especially in more remote stretches. We did our trip in 10 days and honestly we could've done this in a month there was so much to do and see. We tried to average about 3 hours of driving a day so that way we didn't spend it all in the car. I have heard of people driving it in four days. 

Don't forget the ALCAN doesn't end a the border of the USA and Canada like I originally thought. It still ends quite a distance away from the border, so plan accordingly. 

Summer (June–August) is the most popular time to go, offering long daylight hours and the best road conditions. Shoulder seasons (May and September) bring fewer crowds and excellent wildlife viewing, though weather can be more unpredictable.

The Canadian portion is a little frustrating because they don't really allow Boondocking like we do in the USA (on the appropriate land of course). But the Provincial parks are frequent and affordable (about 17$ CAN) Bring cash though, you're in the middle of nowhere a lot of the trip.

Again, buy the Milepost, it was worth it's weight in gold at the very least (are we still using that saying?). 

Wildlife and views: 

No surprise here but I was very fixated on what animals I would see. Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip: 

Mallard Duck

Spruce Grouse

Elk, Canada

Late season Milkyway

Beautiful sunset in the Yukon

The famous signpost forest, Watson Lake

Woodland Caribou near Summit Lake, Canada

So, is the ALCAN one of the last great adventures? Yes and no. The highway is actually pretty well taken care of, there were a few sections where frost heaves were evident or were windy as F**** (looking at you Destruction bay). And of course we didn't drive this in the winter, expect the usual, snow/ice, changing conditions. But the road is not nearly as rough as I imagined it to be. I can't wait to drive this again as there's so much more to see. 

How did I start planning my trip? Well, my wife is very focused and a badass. So that's the start. But if you look at Google Maps and look at the roads along the way, you can easily plan each stop. There were more services than I expected but don't expect a five star dinner every town. I still topped off my car every few hours. We like to camp so we always had a camping stove and additional food, that helped with snacks along the way.