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Jim_Hill's avatar
Jim_Hill
Explorer
May 19, 2015

Diesel Availability, Dempster and Dalton Highways?

I'll be leaving for Canada and Alaska shortly and need info on diesel availability on the Dempster (Eagle Plains and Inuvik) and Coldfoot on the Dalton highway. I have a 2012 2500HD, so it must be good diesel. I have been on the Dempster before driving my '97 K1500, and gas is readily available, but never checked diesel.

Comments on driving the Dalton would also be appreciated. I have heard plenty of horror stories, but I'm not driving the entire route. I'll take my 18' travel trailer to Coldfoot, stay a few days, and probably drive a little farther North with the truck alone. I could carry some cans along for additional range, but would rather not.

Jim
  • 2lazy4U's avatar
    2lazy4U
    Explorer
    May 22, 2015
    Dalton was closed Monday from flooding. Don;t know its current condition, but the warm weather up there has made more flooding a concern.


    http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/flooding-closes-more-miles-of-dalton-highway/article_a5501bd4-ff61-11e4-8975-7736f93b01e1.html
  • soos's avatar
    soos
    Explorer II
    May 21, 2015
    As mentioned, make sure you fuel up at Coldfoot.
    Here's my blogpost on our trip down the Dalton.
    We spent 5 days on that road. It was one of the highlights of our trip and yes, we put our foot in the Arctic Ocean :)
    Dalton Hwy
  • pigman1's avatar
    pigman1
    Explorer
    May 19, 2015
    Also fuel available at Yukon River Camp, mile post 56 where the Dalton crosses the Yukon River. After Coldfoot heading north, the next fuel is Deadhorse. If you get all the way up there, be sure you get registered early for the Arctic Ocean tour. When we were up a few years ago Homeland Security needed passport numbers or other POSITIVE ID's a day or 2 before the tour and you were checked off, BY NAME AND ID, before you got on their bus. NO PRIVATE VEHICLES.
  • lonnie4801's avatar
    lonnie4801
    Explorer
    May 19, 2015
    Re Dalton Hwy. We have made the trip 3 times.

    In 2005 drove our 36' motorhome (gas) as far as Marion Campground; that is 5 miles north of Coldfoot, and parked it. Took the pickup to Prudhoe Bay.

    In 2009 left our motorhome in Fairbanks and drove the pickup to Prudhoe Bay. Spent the night going and returning in a B&B in Wiseman. That is about 20 miles north of Coldfoot.

    In 2013 drove our 40' motorhome (diesel) as far as Marion Campground and parked it. Took the pickup to Prudhoe Bay.

    You can see our trip log at the website in my signature if you are interested in my comments about the road.
  • alaskan-rver's avatar
    alaskan-rver
    Explorer
    May 19, 2015
    Jim Hill wrote:
    ...I have heard plenty of horror stories, but I'm not driving the entire route. I'll take my 18' travel trailer to Coldfoot, stay a few days, and probably drive a little farther North with the truck alone...


    Like others have said, diesel availability should be no problem, as long as you can make it the 200-250 miles between fueling stops. The Dalton only starts to get good around Coldfoot. The trip over Atigun Pass is well worth it, and once you've made it that far, you might as well go all the way to Prudhoe, and take the tour to the Arctic Ocean.

    Inuvik (up the Dempster) is a really neat town, and also recommended. Consider doing a flying excursion to Tuktoyaktuk (or just "Tuk", if you want to sound local)
  • sue_t's avatar
    sue_t
    Explorer
    May 19, 2015
    Eagle Plains and Inuvik generally have good supplies of diesel. Lots of heavy equipment and commercial vehicles in the area that use diesel so they tend to keep a good supply on hand.
  • tonymull's avatar
    tonymull
    Explorer
    May 19, 2015
    Probably plenty of diesel, but take it from me, don't count on fuel stations being open on Sunday. End Saturday with plenty of gas in the tank. Coming down the Alaska Highway a few years ago I hit 3 or maybe 4 places that either didn't have diesel or were closed on Sunday. At last I told my wife we'd either find the next one open or camp in the parking lot. It was open, but it took 2 gallons more than that U-Haul said it would hold to fill up.

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