Alaska Trip

Yeah you will have that transaction fee, big deal. Also carry a MasterCard or Amex as well as Visa. I have encountered several stores that don't take Visa up there. You will need cash for many campground fees as they don't take checks and have not way to process credit cards. You might just take I-90 on to Seattle, head north on I-5 to Bellingham, cross at Sumas/Abbotsford and then continue on Yellowhead 5 to Kamloops..four lanes and little traffic. Cut over to #1 at Kamloops and it will turn into the Alcan at Dawson Creek. Never had more than a rabies cert required to cross, and have done it numerous times. Don't try to cross with a handgun, but you can fill out forms and pay $50 and take a shotgun or rifle. Watch for frost heaves and plan on driving 50 mph once on the Alcan. Best way to get canadian currency is just to hit an ATM once you cross. But unless the exchange rate shifts most folks will take US straight across. Pity we don't treat them the same... Many businesses have WIFI free, but for phones it is best to buy a phone and some minutes once in Canada. Verizon rates are .95.minute and the others are similar....besides cell service is spotty to say the least in both BC and Alaska, and worse in the YT. And YES think of half a tank of gas as empty and you'll have no worries, doesn't hurt to carry 10 gallons if you are doing any exploring off the highways. On the Alcan, in summer, there is plenty of traffic to ask for help, but a mile off the hwy and it is true wilderness most of the way. No one coming down some of those gravel roads for a long time.
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