Planing a NJ to Alaska Trip,what to plan for?

Rich, I made that trip from Ct back in 2006 and am planning to go back again this summer when my GS gets out of school in June. I won't repeat all the good advice you got so far but try to answer your OP. I was gone for 90 days and spent $106/day for the total trip. Gas was more expensive back then and was the single biggest cost. I dry camp 95% of the time and like to fish, Mtn bike, and hike. I stopped along the route at Tetons, Yellow Stone, Rocky Mtn, and Glacier NPs. All were nice especially if you were never there before. This time I will skip Rocky mtn NP. Also this year we will head up to Niagra falls and into Cn around Lake Superior and avoid Chicago and see some of Ontario. You can almost do this on one tank of gas Gas is much more expensive in CN. Stay north along the US visit Badlands, Wind cave, Custer SP, and Mt Rushmore. You probably cant get into Custer state park CG but the CG in Wind cave should have sites and you can drive into Custer. I would do Glacier and Waterton in Cn then head up to Banff and Jasper along the ice field parkway hike on the glacier. If you post how you like to camp and what you like to do you will get better info I don't want to write a novel on stuff that you would not be interested in.