Forum Discussion

bcgarrison's avatar
bcgarrison
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013

Lake Louise to Fairbanks

Is three to four hundred mikes a day reasonable for the approx. 200 mile trip from Lake Louise to Fairbanks? Will this be a motoring trip or are there sites where we should spend more time? 31' motor home.
Thanks
  • Well - the OP certainly should come back and clarify just which Lake Louise he is thinking of. Also the whole thread should be moved to the Canada/Alaska forum!!
  • I think the OP had a typo. "200 miles" maybe should have been 2000 miles. Lake Louise, AB, to Fairbanks, AK, is 1931 miles according to google maps (approx. 2000 mi.). I don't think the OP would be asking about traveling 300-400 miles a day to get from a Lake Louise, AK, to Fairbanks.

    My 2ยข
  • The post, if not the subject line, should be changed to clarify which Lake Louise you have in mind. It makes a big difference.

    It appears from Google Maps photos that the drive from LL(AK) to the main highway is 16 miles and paved, with some undulations. Probably a 40-50 mph drive.
  • Are you talking about Lake Louise in Alberta's Canadian Rockies? If so, we certainly would not drive 300-400 miles a day to get to Fairbanks, Alaska. If it's your first trip to Alaska, there is lots to see along those miles that you'd want to stop for and explore. Also, the roads aren't interstate speed so you'll be going a lot slower...and you never know where you'll find road construction areas with gravel.

    There are plenty of campgrounds along the way and many beautiful boondocking spots. How many times will you go to Alaska? For many, this is a once in a lifetime trip. Slow down and enjoy it!
  • Now I have to look up Lake Louise in Alaska. Suspect I have been to Glennallen 50 or more times over the years but that name is a new one to me, but so are a lot of other named places in Alaska. For many years to drive from Fairbanks to Anchorage you had to go through Glennallen
    Back before the Parks Highway was completed/connected all the way. The Parks was completed about the same time frame as the Cassiar in BC-Yt, as I remember. Now I have to check that out as well.

    I only found out after living in Alaska for over 25 years,, that the highways had numbers, just like real highways do in the lower 48. LOL. I love this forum for all the new stuff I learn.
  • Alaska's Lake Louise is not as well known as Alberta's Lake Louise.

    The Tangle Lakes area, along the Denali Highway (not overly far from the Richardson Highway), is very nice and would make a great overnight stop.
  • Joe, Lake Louise is down by Glennallen. OP, there are plenty of sites between Lake Louise and Fairbanks that would deserve more time. You can make the drive in one day but unless you are in a hurry, take the time to stop along the way. It is a long drive back if you find out later you missed something. Get the Milepost and check the Richardson Highway section.
  • I find 300 to 400 miles a day not a problem on travel days, no matter where we go. Not sure where there is a Lake Louise 200 miles from Fairbanks Alaska though, if that is the Fairbanks you mean. If it is the one in Alaska, the answer is still yes. From south Florida I figure 10 driving days to Fairbanks Alaska, with 4 or 5 non travel days thrown in such as a muli day stop in Whitehorse, a couple of days at Liard River Hot Springs PP, etc.
    So time wise I budget 2 to 3 weeks each direction for most trips. I have made it from Anchorage to Houston Texas in 6 days by car, but don't recommend that way to travel. LOL