I had to go look up what Hwy 97 is? See it is the Alaska Hwy. The Alaska Hwy from Watson Lake to southern Alberta is faster than going on the Cassiar Hwy to southern BC. Over the years of road construction, the Alaska Hwy has been shortened by about 40 miles, give or take, as it has been rerouted, curves taken out, grades cut down, etc. so for me anyways, I can make more miles on it than on the Cassiar in the same number of hours of driving.
The Cassiar hwy was finished in the early 70s, not sure just when, but I first drove on it in about 1974 or 1975. In places the Cassiar feels like the road planners were following the wanderings of a drunken moose to lay out the road. It was put over hill and dale, following creeks, etc. Then when they went to pave it, they just paved it the way it was laid out for the most part. The Alaska Hwy was straightened in many places prior to it's pavement jobs.
Safest? Impossible to say as it depends on a person's driving ability, etc. I have seen wrecks on both over the years but I haven't had the least bit of a problem other than having to dodge some large animals on both at times, sheep, caribou, bison, moose, bears, etc. There is nothing inherently dangerous about either IMHO. Excessive speed causes more problems than anything else in my opinion, from tire problems, gravel damage to glass, to broken springs, axles, etc. Just slow down and then slow down some more. Just because a speed limit sign says 100 clicks, doesn't mean you have to drive that speed if the road is rough or lots of blind corners on the highway.
The Cassiar is more scenic, more remote, more photogenic, in my opinion but a slower drive for me. Often I will go up one and come back on the other. Often I will swing over to the west coast to see relatives on the way back to the lower 48 so often I go north on the Alaska Highway and come south on the Cassiar then to Prince George and south to cross at Sumas and over into Washington.
Easier? Probably the Alaska Hwy, just because it tends to be wider, straighter but I have made about 6 trips in a Class C to/from Alaska over the years. A Class c is a real nice rig to use, I have found. A good compromise on size and maneuverability. Your Class C should be just fine for the trip, easy to get up to gas pumps, find a camping spot, yet room to stretch out in the evenings as you listen to the night sounds.
joe b.
Stuart Florida
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
2016 Fleetwood Flair 31 B Class A w/bunks
www.picturetrail.com/jbpacooper
Alaska-Colorado and other Trips posted
"Without challenge, adventure is impossible".