FLY TO ALASKA--RENT RV

I want to take a 3/4 ton and a 30 ft Arctic Fox and go in May. It will be 10000 mile R/T from VA to Anc, Fairbanks, Tok, Haines and back to Anc then to Va. Not really worried about it but have figured .50/mi would cover it and I ahve a large maintenence fund from my business anyway. As for transporting firearms. I think it went up to $50.00 for the permit. Get a permit, fill it out before you get to the border. They ask you what is the purpose of carrying it and don't tell them its personal protection say its for protecton from wildlife in Ak only because otherwise they consider you will shoot someone in CN and thats illegal. You can stab or poison them LOL.You must ahve alocked container for it and the ammo must be stored seperately. Canada is not that bad and getting back to the US will be worse. US side is nasty and any US Citizen is a terrorist in their eyes.

A little of the topic but this reminded me of the trip friends did about 10 years ago.1 couple had a truck with a camper the other couple no RV.One couple flew to Vancouver B.C. and took the ferry to Alaska,the other couple took the truck to meet them in Alaska,they then camped together for month or so and reversed the trip with original ferry couple driving back and other couple took ferry back.The trip started in Calgary where they both lived.We drove up rving a different time and saw many rentals mostly class c from White Horse picking up at the white horse airport.Sounded like fun also.Very busy in July.

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

But it is 2,375 miles to Dawson Creek - five hard days driving without stopping to see anything. And 2,380 miles home from Prince George - five more hard driving days.

A three month Alaska trip with a month in Alaska easily becomes a six to ten month trip if we really enjoy it.

We are considering staging the rig near Seattle where a cousin can check on it and starting from there in mid-April 2015 - planning to get back to Seattle in mid-September.

First, mid-April is too early to start from Seattle. Consider mid-to late May for better weather and more things being open.

There are plenty of reasons for driving more slowly and exploring the areas before you even get to Dawson Creek so please don't plan on driving straight through without stopping.

I'm not sure what you mean by it could easily become a six to ten month trip. We left from Arizona and crossed the border at Sumas, Washington (near Seattle) May 23. We drove leisurely and really explored Canada and the Yukon and still had 2-1/2 months in Alaska alone. We had plenty of time to see everything, sometimes just driving 50-100 miles a day. Don't rush the trip. Alaska is the destination but there's some beautiful places to stay enroute to Alaska.

Driving the trip is well worth it even if it's expensive. Unless you're like Joe B. :) most folks just go one time! Don't skimp on the trip!!

After considering various options, we decided to drive both ways and are glad we did. For me the Canadian scenery was at least as enjoyable at that of Alaska. And we saw more wildlife in Canada than in Alaska. Our vehicle is small. Not sure I would want to do the trip in a large rig.

We are trying to decide between the full trip or flying up.

Yes, flying is expensive, and there are things on the route we want to see.

But it is 2,375 miles to Dawson Creek - five hard days driving without stopping to see anything. And 2,380 miles home from Prince George - five more hard driving days.

That $2,000-2,500 in fuel, another $800 in expenses at least.

Now I want to travel those routes - and take my time. A three month Alaska trip with a month in Alaska easily becomes a six to ten month trip if we really enjoy it.

We are considering staging the rig near Seattle where a cousin can check on it and starting from there in mid-April 2015 - planning to get back to Seattle in mid-September.

TOMMY47 wrote:
I have another thought.
I do want to see Glacier and the far Northwest NPs.
Drive my MH to Seattle-- Fly to Anchorage ($250 rt)--rent MH in Anchorage-- fly back and continue in my MH to far West parks.
Trying to find a 3 week rental out of Anchorage -- Can't get anything very cheap; A class B would work or small Class C. Can't get a rate from Great Alaskan Holiday on line.

Basically the same trip I have planned except from Glacier I'm heading up into Alberta/Yukon into Alaska then back down towards Vancouver and Seattle then do the western parks and home.

I have another thought.
I do want to see Glacier and the far Northwest NPs.
Drive my MH to Seattle-- Fly to Anchorage ($250 rt)--rent MH in Anchorage-- fly back and continue in my MH to far West parks.
Trying to find a 3 week rental out of Anchorage -- Can't get anything very cheap; A class B would work or small Class C. Can't get a rate from Great Alaskan Holiday on line.

Having delivered a motorhome from Forest City, Iowa to Anchorage, 20 days, I would without question fly and drive into Anchorage and enjoy Alaska for the 4-5 weeks. If Alaska is your priority, you can get a great rate from Great Alaskan Holiday until mid June. $69.00 per night. 75% of the people who live in Alaska told me the spring is the best time to go because it is your best chance of not getting or minimal rain. A small class C would be my second choice, a Truck camper would be first. Remember, you will be doing a round trip with your own camper. Wishing you the best. Louie

We debated doing this for next summer but decided that we had so much time to spend in Alaska that rather than cut it short due to renting, we're looking at buying a used truck camper and then maybe selling it when we are done. We already have the truck to put it on, which helps.
That way we aren't towing our "home" up there and we can be more flexible with where we stay.

Sue

We did it and had a great time.
We used the Alaska State Ferry system from Bellingham, Washington to Juneau, Alaska. Then a flight to Anchorage to pick up the rented RV.
Believe me the ferry ride up was more fun than the flight home.
Alaska Marine Highway