Rving to Alaska

Jgwoods wrote:

Wind River wrote:
I would suggest you contact your credit card company and inform them you will be traveling through Canada and on to Alaska so there will be no problem using your card.

I did this- called Ally bank and told them I would be on the road, going to Alaska, gave them dates etc. and they stiffed me good. Every time I tried to debit a fill up of diesel in some tiny northern town they denied it. I would pay cash- always kept a few hundred with me- and call them when I got in cellphone range. They said it was a possible fraud and so they denied it.
I had specifically opened an Ally bank account because they are big on the internet and cover all ATM fees anywhere. They treated me like it was their money, not mine. All together a big failure.

Could also have more restrictions if it is a new account without a spending history.

...and thank YOU for coming back with an update. Wish more folks would do so.

I want to deeply thank everyone who contributed by advising me, giving me suggestions or recommendations and telling me about their own experiences. I have considered every piece of information and I am very grateful to all of you. even though I have traveled to 38 countries and 42 US states, the Alaska trip was the best. I traveled by myself in 34ft diesel pusher and took my time to see and visit many places along the way. Thank you all.

Mohamed

Use a CREDIT card; not a DEBIT card. Far fewer difficulties for international charges. Pay it off every month just like real money.

IMHO all debit cards are a scam by the banks to put a hold on your money and a target for crooks to drain your account.

All of that rant does assume that your credit rating is good enough to get a no-annual-fee card and pay the entire balance each month. Get a Discover Card or a Bank of America rewards card and the rebate percentage will more than pay the transaction fees for charges in Canada.

I live in Northern CA and have made many trips up to Alaska but I always fly into Anchorage and rent a vehicle or RV there. We can fly to Anchorage and use a 25' motorhome (with free mileage) for 30 days for less than the same cost to drive to Anchorage and back.

The only reason to drive would be if I was towing a power boat for use while there or was planning to be there for several months. Even then I would be checking into the cost to ship it all up there and have it waiting for me when I arrived rather than have the $4,000 in fuel costs (plus wear and tear on the RV).

Wind River wrote:
I would suggest you contact your credit card company and inform them you will be traveling through Canada and on to Alaska so there will be no problem using your card.

I did this- called Ally bank and told them I would be on the road, going to Alaska, gave them dates etc. and they stiffed me good. Every time I tried to debit a fill up of diesel in some tiny northern town they denied it. I would pay cash- always kept a few hundred with me- and call them when I got in cellphone range. They said it was a possible fraud and so they denied it.
I had specifically opened an Ally bank account because they are big on the internet and cover all ATM fees anywhere. They treated me like it was their money, not mine. All together a big failure.

Fortunately my local bank with only 6 branches did all the right things and their card worked when I needed it.

There is so much fraud these days that depending on your banks security department to sort out the good transactions from the bad ones can be dicey. I would certainly call them ahead. I would also keep cash on hand, and have 2-3 ways of getting money.

I would suggest you contact your credit card company and inform them you will be traveling through Canada and on to Alaska so there will be no problem using your card.

Another thing, please use the pullouts along the road to allow traffic to pass. Alaska is a huge state with very few roads so there is generally a lot of traffic headed out for the weekends to go fishing or camping. We Alaskans get focused on the fish frenzy and get impatient to the RV's plugging along the highways. Also please pull completely off the road as to not create a traffic jam when you see critters.
Drive safe and enjoy your visit to my beautiful state...

Having driven the "Alcan" 20 times now since 1968, its no longer the wild adventure it used to be. We used to have to carry extra fuel, cover our head lights with tape, a minimum of $500.00 cash, always expected a broken windshield every time on the 1000 miles of the dustiest and twisty gravel road you had ever driven. Now its smooth wide, straight, chip seal highway. Expect scenery that is some of the best in the world. The worst part of the whole trip is the first 200 miles once you get into Alaska. Lots of frost heaves so watch your speed. A must stop for us every time we head back home,(we leave Alaska to experience what most of you get to do everyday and that is drive to somewhere) is at Liard Hot Springs. Nothing better than a nice hot soak after a day of driving. Enjoy your trip, we are headed back down on the 6th of June... See you on the road.

Get the TourSaver 2/1 coupon book online before your trip. One glacier cruise (& you need to do at least one), will pay for the book. Stan Sephens tour out of Valdez is excellent.

As mentioned, check this forum's Alaska/Canada section for a LOT of information. Also at the very top of the forum is a 'Sticky' from last year's groupd that went and it includes an excellent checklist and things to do.

Drive slow. It's not an interstate-type of trip.

Reservations are not needed except for Denali National Park and July 4 weekend. Pull into a RV park early afternoon and you'll get a spot. Also, we boondocked about 90% of the time or stayed in public parks. It's so easy to do. Mike & Terri Church's Alaskan Camping book will give you many spots to do so and also lists RV parks. It's a must.

Stay IN Denali National Park for the best experience. We've stayed at Teklanika and Riley Creek. There's a lot to do from both locations.

The Milepost is excellent for historical information as you travel and for maps. Don't rely on it for campground information. All the ads are paid ads so they're all 'wonderful' campgrounds. Ha.

Plan to spend time in Canada and the Yukon, not just Alaska. They are all gorgeous areas. Yukon's government parks are great.

Cross the U.S. border and go to a Canadian bank for about $250 in Canadian currency. This will last you for the whole trip and back, especially if you use government parks. What you have left toward the end, buy some fuel with it.

It's an easy trip so don't be concerned about driving it alone. There will be thousands of other RVers on the roads. Traveling with someone else will really limit you as to what to see and do and how long to stay at each. Everyone travels differently. Have a great trip!