Minimum Time to Visit AK from San Francisco?
I'm going to read everything in here, but thought I would just ask a quick question. What's the minimum amount of time I would need to make a trip to Alaska and back, starting in San Francisco? And ...
Forum Discussion
If you have a month, that will allow a effective vacation, while not 'rushing though everything".
Start by ordering a copy of "MilePost" Each year they drive the length of the Alaskan Highway, and write another version of the popular magazine. They list everything to see at each milepost, and where the view points are located, gas stops, great places to see a lake, and whatever. It can be enjoyable to just read that!
I ended up flying to Fairbanks, and toured Alaska by car, and stayed with friends in Fairbanks. It was back when gas was $4 a gallon, and more along the highway.
You might also consider using a cargo ship to ship your RV to Anchorage, and then drive it back, so you don't spend so much time going both ways. My friend in Fairbanks bought a 1 year old car in Florida, took a winter vacation in 2007 and drove it to Seattle. Then put it on a ferry, and flew home to Fairbanks. When the car arrived in Anchorage, he had a friend drive him down to the docks to pick up his car. Buying a new car in Alaska can be very expensive, with high shipping costs added to the MSRP, and not as many discounts as buying in the lower 48.
Have fun,
Fred.
Start by ordering a copy of "MilePost" Each year they drive the length of the Alaskan Highway, and write another version of the popular magazine. They list everything to see at each milepost, and where the view points are located, gas stops, great places to see a lake, and whatever. It can be enjoyable to just read that!
I ended up flying to Fairbanks, and toured Alaska by car, and stayed with friends in Fairbanks. It was back when gas was $4 a gallon, and more along the highway.
You might also consider using a cargo ship to ship your RV to Anchorage, and then drive it back, so you don't spend so much time going both ways. My friend in Fairbanks bought a 1 year old car in Florida, took a winter vacation in 2007 and drove it to Seattle. Then put it on a ferry, and flew home to Fairbanks. When the car arrived in Anchorage, he had a friend drive him down to the docks to pick up his car. Buying a new car in Alaska can be very expensive, with high shipping costs added to the MSRP, and not as many discounts as buying in the lower 48.
Have fun,
Fred.
