Alaska by RV, solo or caravan . . . . opinions please

[DOTLDaddy]

Being the compulsive, long range planner that I am, I am starting to think about an RV trip from STL to Alaska. This probably won't happen until 2015, but I don't want to wait much longer than that, as you never know what tomorrow brings. 😛

Anyway, I am quite sure this would be our one and only trip to Alaska, so I don't want to blow it. Should I try and plan such a huge trip myself, or spend a rather substantial amount of $$$ on a caravan. I know there are several companies that offer such caravans, but I have no idea which one is "best", if any.:@

[umpqua]

My wife, cousin and combined 4 kids spent 5 weeks on the road in Canada and Alaska last summer. Left Portland without a single reservation. 14 days later they were in Anchorage. I told them they could have made it in 7 days and their reply was they had fun and enjoyed themselves.

I can't comment on caravans and their particular benefits but I wouldn't be intimidated by the Alcan - it isn't the 60's when my Grandparents first went up it. It is comparable to any good 2 lane state highway in the Lower 48 and better in most areas. If 2 Moms and 4 young kids can make the trip in our Ford F-350 and Bigfoot camper I suppose anyone can.

[moparmaga2]

I am up in Valdez, AK now. I did the trip alone, do not need any one to hold my hand.

My wife and I grumble and groan, and sometimes flat out refuse to do any type of tours, museums, etc if a Caravan group will be there with us. We come back another time. Waiting in line, talking loudly, etc etc are not for us. We came for the quiet.

We try not to stay at RV parks that allow Caravan groups as well. Made that mistake at Liard River. I don't know how anyone can enjoy 30 diesel and gas engines starting up at precisely 8:00 AM, sounded like a huge construction site and scared all the wildlife away.

I do recognize that some people are not like us. If you like the sound of a truck shipping yard in the middle of a forest, yelling loudly to other people, driving with a constant view of a rig in front of, and behind you, you may love a caravan.

[Scottiemom]

As others have said, the Milepost is good for historical reasons. When DH was driving, I had it open and would follow along in the book. I would read tidbits from it as we passed by the places and if something struck our fancy, we would stop. It really is a great resource.

Dale

[Hjudge49]

Another excellent resource is the "allstays" app for your Ipad. I found that it had information on campgounds that were either not in the Milepost, or too hard to find. It is free, finds your location and shows not only campgrounds, but fuel stops, walmarts, etc. We also used our laptop with "Streets and trips" and a GPS antenna (thumb drive size) which worked everywhere, even when we had no wireless or cellphone signal.

[sue_t]

If you want to know the location of:

- all the backroads (for boondocking)
- good fishing spots
- rest areas
- spots beside the highway and creeks for lunch/overnighting
- historical info of the Alaska Highway
- historical stops, such as Soldier's Summit
- lodges/gas stations, including which are closed
- territorial/provincial/state campgrounds and recreation areas
- hiking trails, cycling trails, parks
- wildlife and birding areas
- distance from A to B

then the Milepost is a good resource. The amount of info can be overwhelming to some.

When we were novice travellers up here (before moving here) I would review the relevant pages the night before and mark things of interest with a yellow highlighter.

These days, I usually use the digital Milepost in pdf format, saved on the laptop and open while we drive. We usually monitor our position with the GPS via livetracking on the laptop too. So the Milepost and nRoute are open side-by-side on the laptop, which sits in my lap while DH drives.

Over the years I've collected thousands of waypoints. I also waypoint locations that I take note of but where we didn't stop. Maybe the next trip we'll check it out. Yeah, I'm anal about data, love it! :B

We've found some amazing boondock spots this way, including this one this year:

[tony_lee]

The Milepost tells you about every single thing along the roads on the Alaska trip. Without it, you wouldn't know a lot of the stuff you pass is even there.

Sure does tell you about every little thing, EVERY little thing - and somewhere buried in all the useless dross is about 10% (being generous here) reasonably useful stuff, but only if the copilot is willing to spend most of the trip with head buried in the book trying to figure out where you are - and you constantly having to figure out the mileages so the copilot can find the right spot..

But if you want to know the average length, depth and deviation from straight line of every crack in the pavement, and where 30 years ago a dyslectic eagle nested in a tree which was struck by lightning 15 years ago and topled by a storm just last year (Dang, I really wanted to see that), and the grade of every little hill - then by all means purchase the book --

and then be prepared to collect all the unbound pages that fall out throughout the day and glue them back in each night.

[2gypsies1]

The 'Milepost' is a MUST. It will give you so much history of the roads you're traveling. If you just pick up those little brochures from the visitor centers you'll be overwhelmed with trying to sort them out. Just skip all that necessary paper and get the Milepost.

I will say, don't rely on the Milepost for your campground ideas. Those are all paid ads by the campgrounds and they will all sound 'perfect'. Instead, get Mike and Terri Church's Alaska Camping book. It also includes the Yukon and Canada. They list ALL campground, public and private and also give some great boondocking spots. They lived in Alaska and still travel back and forth updating their book.

Those are the only two publications you'll need for the trip.

[oldbeek]

Went up twice 2002 and 2010 bought a milepost and winged it. Never made a single advanced reservation. With a caravan you are always with a crowd. If you like crowds go to new York city. To enjoy AK you need to experience the solitude. Boondock some along the way. It is good for the soul.

[PA12DRVR]

It has been long enough now (since circa 2000, Yikes) since I've driven the Alcan that I'd want to get the Milepost for the maps and general layout.

However, even back in the 80's and 90's when I was driving the Alcan frequently enough that I had my routes (primarily Los Anchorage - Montana or Idaho) almost memorized, I would do as Sue did and get the milepost on a regular basis just because it was a good resource.

I always felt that having the Milepost kicking around the back seat was a necessary element of driving to/from Alaska. Even had one stuck in the back seat of the plane the couple of times that I made the flying trip.

[DOTLDaddy]

sue.t wrote:
....

Gosh, I live in Yukon and buy the Milepost every few years because it is a good resource.

That's what we do with "Next Exit" and the Trailer Life campground directory.🙂

[sue_t]

Given the overall cost of a trip to Alaska, the purchase of a $30 Milepost guide isn't at all significant.

Gosh, I live in Yukon and buy the Milepost every few years because it is a good resource.

[Luke_Porter]

DOTLDaddy wrote:

aviator wrote:
.... Stop and visit several Visitor Centers on the way and you will have no need to purchase those expensive mile marker books, that so many waste their money on.....

So, if I am reading between the lines correctly, you are saying don't waste my money on a "Milepost" magazine?:@ I am not being sarcastic, I really don't know the worthiness of the Milepost magazine, as I have never seen one.

The Milepost tells you about every single thing along the roads on the Alaska trip. Without it, you wouldn't know a lot of the stuff you pass is even there.

I see it's up to 30 bucks now. Anybody who doesn't have an extra $30 in the Alaska trip budget, isn't going to do well on the trip.





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[DOTLDaddy]

aviator wrote:
.... Stop and visit several Visitor Centers on the way and you will have no need to purchase those expensive mile marker books, that so many waste their money on.....

So, if I am reading between the lines correctly, you are saying don't waste my money on a "Milepost" magazine?:@ I am not being sarcastic, I really don't know the worthiness of the Milepost magazine, as I have never seen one.

[aviator]

We have driven the Alcan 5 times and taken the ferry twice, once from Seattle and the other from Prince Rupert. No caravan for us. Some say you see so much with the caravan, I say you miss so much. We love Fairbanks and on our last trip stayed there for over a month on arrival and made a return trip on our way out of 10 days to see the aurora. You can do and see the same places as the caravans, stop for shorter or longer periods of time as you wish. You will stay in the same places as the caravans and see the same people several times if you keep a timetable close to the caravan. Eat and visit the same places. Save your money. 8-9 thousand dollars goes a long way to pay for fuel and many other things that a caravan costs. You still must buy most of your meals and pay the fuel bill with a caravan. There are only so many RV parks and a very small number of highways to choose (1). I have never heard of anyone getting lost to or from Alaska. Just get fuel often. Not all fuel stations are open. Many come and go each year. Stop and visit several Visitor Centers on the way and you will have no need to purchase those expensive mile marker books, that so many waste their money on. The visitor centers and most anyone in the towns will be more than happy to tell you of the current happenings or the up to date road closures and conditions. If you do purchase one, take notice to see how many of the business it says are open, but are actually closed and look like they have been for years. To each his own.