Driving the ALCAN highway
My wife and I are planning a trip to Alaska via the ALCAN. Anybody have any tips on making the trip across? We are looking at June - August. Anyone carry firearms in their coach, and if so, any prob...
Forum Discussion
We drove our motorhome to Alaska in 2014. Here are a few things we learned.
If you are from Texas, the Canadian Border Patrol will assume you have firearms. Other than that, the other issue will be the amount of alcohol you're bringing into Canada. Our experience has been getting into Canada is easy, getting back into the U.S. is harder.
Over that last 4 years we have ventured into Canada 6 times. We have never been hassled about food, we have answered truthfully about the beer and liquor we had on board and never been questioned about our two cats even though we prominently display a "Two Cats onBoard" sign in our windshield.
Fuel shouldn't be a problem. Fill up before you get to half empty. In 2-3 weeks of wandering around British Columbia, no one ever offered to fill up for us. However, our credit cards would not work at the pump. We had to leave our card with the clerk inside while we filled up.
Along the Alaska highway and the Cassiar highway, we found plenty of places to boondock. Campgrounds were plentiful, but a little on the spendy side. However, keep in mind folks catering to travelers and RVers up there have about 4 or 5 months to make a years wages.
Crossing back into the USA is always an experience. Every time but one they have confiscated something. At one time or another, it's been apples or oranges or tomatoes that have gotten us in trouble. On one return the U.S. border agent came on board, looked through the fridge and picked out a couple of items that we figured he needed for supper that night.
During last years Alaska adventure we didn't do any fishing, but because so many folks were catching more than they had freezer space for, we readily accepted their excess. This almost bit us in the but because when we returned to the U.S. ft hey wanted to know if we had a fishing license. It's illegal to bring salmon into the U.S. without a valid salmon fishing license even if it is expired. Fortunately for us, the day we crossed, the Fish and Game folks weren't there, so the Border agent let us slide. However, on this return we were told to unlock our tow car and all the compartments in the coach. We had to wIt inside customs while they inspected the RV and car.
Except for a couple of miscreant tomatoes, we passed and were allowed to return to the U.S.
One more thing I don't think anyone mentioned is if you have a DUI on your driving record, don't even think about trying to get into Canada.
Except for a 40 to 50 mile section near Burwash Landing, we found the Alaska highway to be no worse than many U.S. roads we've traveled on. Just slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Above all, make frequent stops and explore. The vistas are magnificent.
If you are from Texas, the Canadian Border Patrol will assume you have firearms. Other than that, the other issue will be the amount of alcohol you're bringing into Canada. Our experience has been getting into Canada is easy, getting back into the U.S. is harder.
Over that last 4 years we have ventured into Canada 6 times. We have never been hassled about food, we have answered truthfully about the beer and liquor we had on board and never been questioned about our two cats even though we prominently display a "Two Cats onBoard" sign in our windshield.
Fuel shouldn't be a problem. Fill up before you get to half empty. In 2-3 weeks of wandering around British Columbia, no one ever offered to fill up for us. However, our credit cards would not work at the pump. We had to leave our card with the clerk inside while we filled up.
Along the Alaska highway and the Cassiar highway, we found plenty of places to boondock. Campgrounds were plentiful, but a little on the spendy side. However, keep in mind folks catering to travelers and RVers up there have about 4 or 5 months to make a years wages.
Crossing back into the USA is always an experience. Every time but one they have confiscated something. At one time or another, it's been apples or oranges or tomatoes that have gotten us in trouble. On one return the U.S. border agent came on board, looked through the fridge and picked out a couple of items that we figured he needed for supper that night.
During last years Alaska adventure we didn't do any fishing, but because so many folks were catching more than they had freezer space for, we readily accepted their excess. This almost bit us in the but because when we returned to the U.S. ft hey wanted to know if we had a fishing license. It's illegal to bring salmon into the U.S. without a valid salmon fishing license even if it is expired. Fortunately for us, the day we crossed, the Fish and Game folks weren't there, so the Border agent let us slide. However, on this return we were told to unlock our tow car and all the compartments in the coach. We had to wIt inside customs while they inspected the RV and car.
Except for a couple of miscreant tomatoes, we passed and were allowed to return to the U.S.
One more thing I don't think anyone mentioned is if you have a DUI on your driving record, don't even think about trying to get into Canada.
Except for a 40 to 50 mile section near Burwash Landing, we found the Alaska highway to be no worse than many U.S. roads we've traveled on. Just slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Above all, make frequent stops and explore. The vistas are magnificent.
