Road Conditions Alaska and Yukon
I'm heading South from having driven up through BC, Yukon and Alaska and now am between Whitehorse and Teslin heading South. Here is an update on some road conditions. First: Alaska. The Richardson from Valdez to Fairbanks is in very good shape. An occasional slowdown might be required if there has been a road patch but it really is a good road. The highway heading from Fairbanks to Denali and then on to Anchorage (Parks Hwy)is also mostly excellent. The Seward highway and the Sterling are also very good with a few areas of slowdown for patched pavement. The only problem we had was with the Glenallen highway, essentially from north of Anchorage to Tok was a disappointment with lots of broken pavement and periods of construction. I did this trip 13 years ago and the Glenallen was just as bad.Guess AK spends their road money on every other major highway but this one.From Tok to the US/Canadian border the drive had few if any problems. However, once we entered the Yukon, the misery began.
The roads have lots of broken pavement, frost heaves and construction. It seems that we would go through 10-12 miles of rough stuff and then it would smooth out and then go back to rough stuff and construction. When a new road surface is laid, it is graded and is a packed dirt before sealing.It is wet down to keep the dust away and clings to your vehicle. Faster moving drivers, especially those in pickups hauling a big 5th wheel spray the wet mud not only on their own vehicle but on others, too. All the way to Destruction Bay, it was on again off again crappy roads. From Destruction Bay to Whitehorse the same on again off again road problem existed. No matter when you wash your vehicle, the next day it is muddy.
The drive from Whitehorse to Jakes Corner where the road to Atlin turns off, the road was beautiful. In 2 days we will be heading to Teslin. Rumor is more construction.
Bottom line AK is doing a great job but YK just cant keep up with the repairs possibly because of manpower and equipment to move the project along quicker.
Our awesome trip isn't over as we have much more to see. Regardless of the road conditions, we will have fun. Please slow down.
The roads have lots of broken pavement, frost heaves and construction. It seems that we would go through 10-12 miles of rough stuff and then it would smooth out and then go back to rough stuff and construction. When a new road surface is laid, it is graded and is a packed dirt before sealing.It is wet down to keep the dust away and clings to your vehicle. Faster moving drivers, especially those in pickups hauling a big 5th wheel spray the wet mud not only on their own vehicle but on others, too. All the way to Destruction Bay, it was on again off again crappy roads. From Destruction Bay to Whitehorse the same on again off again road problem existed. No matter when you wash your vehicle, the next day it is muddy.
The drive from Whitehorse to Jakes Corner where the road to Atlin turns off, the road was beautiful. In 2 days we will be heading to Teslin. Rumor is more construction.
Bottom line AK is doing a great job but YK just cant keep up with the repairs possibly because of manpower and equipment to move the project along quicker.
Our awesome trip isn't over as we have much more to see. Regardless of the road conditions, we will have fun. Please slow down.
