Considering going to Alaska Summer of '22 and looking at tour/rally packages and if better to do trip on our own, or not at all. We are from East Coast so budgeting 2-3 weeks to drive out and back and about 8 weeks going through AK. Any experiences and input are welcome. It is quite a commitment in terms of $$ and time. Wife and I are just returning from almost a year on the road in our 35' Tiffin DP. We think we are ready for new adventure. but we've been wrong before.

We flew to Alaska and took a 10 day boat/train tour which was wonderful. Able to see much with no strain. A possibility for you?

If you like the comradery and social aspects of a tour, or really don't like planning things for yourself, then that can be a fine option. Otherwise, I'd generally suggest doing the trip on your own as you'll be able to choose where you want to spend more or less time and what you want to see, rather than what the organizers think is best. You'll also have the option if you desire to stay at some smaller and less-developed (and often less expensive) campgrounds, such as state parks or boondocking sites, of which there are quite a few in Alaska and the northwestern parts of Canada.Two weeks to drive an RV from the east coast to Alaska round-trip is really pushing things.Here's a rundown of my trip from Vermont to Alaska a few years ago; maybe it will be helpful for your planning and dreaming. I had an absolutely fantastic time.

I would second the comment about the amount of time to get to Alaska from the east coast. I think you will find that you will spend more time in Canada than you plan. From the west coast, I generally take a solid 3 weeks traveling through BC and the Yukon on the way up and about the same returning if I include the Cassiar and Alberta.

Having lived in Alaska for 26 years, I can only recommend doing it on your own. Those tours are on a tight schedule and limit your visit tremendously. Choose your own locations and spend as much or little time at each. There is also a ton a free camping spots that are incredible compared to overcrowded RV parks (Denali Highway is the big one). Those tour groups always seem to waiting in lines when I saw them, lines at the RV parks waiting for spot assignments, lines at every fuel stop, lines at pullouts, etc. Like others have said BC and the Yukon are worth spending time in also, they are incredible as are the people.

Caravan: Not our cup of tea. Don't mind the people to hang out with but we can find people to hang out with on our own. Keep in mind, if you have a major problem, they will likely contact a local shop but they aren't going to stop the group to wait for you.As others have said, 2 weeks is way short. It's about 4300miles Philly to Anchorage...that's 310miles per day every day or about 6hr of driving per day. Even 3 weeks is hitting it pretty hard. A month would allow you to see some sights along the way and not feel like you are just driving and driving...We are tentatively planning on the same trip from Michigan next year and we are looking at around 2 months (not counting a side trip on the Demster Hwy) to get to Alaska but we are planning to see the sights along the way (Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff//Jasper among other stops).If we run out of time, we will look for a place to store the rig and fly out to return in 2023 and finish.

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DrewE
Explorer II
Aug 13, 2021
If you like the comradery and social aspects of a tour, or really don't like planning things for yourself, then that can be a fine option. Otherwise, I'd generally suggest doing the trip on your own as you'll be able to choose where you want to spend more or less time and what you want to see, rather than what the organizers think is best. You'll also have the option if you desire to stay at some smaller and less-developed (and often less expensive) campgrounds, such as state parks or boondocking sites, of which there are quite a few in Alaska and the northwestern parts of Canada.

Two weeks to drive an RV from the east coast to Alaska round-trip is really pushing things.

Here's a rundown of my trip from Vermont to Alaska a few years ago; maybe it will be helpful for your planning and dreaming. I had an absolutely fantastic time.
Dick_B
Explorer
Aug 13, 2021
We flew to Alaska and took a 10 day boat/train tour which was wonderful. Able to see much with no strain. A possibility for you?

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