Which Route To Take and Return?

You will need to clarify your rough route!
Coming north and crossing into CAN on US 97/Can 97 and CAN 1 up through Banff, Jasper then connecting back to CAN 97 at Prince George, then onto Dawson Creek and Alaska. Problem weather on Ice Fields highway.

Return via the Cassiar Can 37 from Watson Lake south to Smithers and then CAN 16 to Prince George and south into US.

Your timing would be good to see many animals going either direction.

I usually recommend heading north on the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek BC and then go south from Watson Lake YT on the Cassiar Highway. Reason is in the fall the Alaska Highway in northern BC can be wicked with the oil/gas industry prepping to shut down for the winter. It is a busy time and they're in a rush to get wherever they are going. Plus the Cassiar has good bear viewing in later summer and fall and isn't so busy, and the highway maintenance work is usually all done by then.

When you reach Whitehorse there are two options
1 - north on the Alaska Highway to Tok AK
2 - north on the Klondike Highway to Dawson City, then cross the Top of the World Highway to Tok AK

Generally, heading north on the Alaska Highway is best, then return on the Top of the World Hwy through Dawson City to Whitehorse. Reason being is the Top of the World is usually in better condition in late summer or fall.

In Alaska you can go clockwise or counter-clockwise. We usually check the weather in Valdez and the coastal area while we're in Tok AK. If Valdez is good, then we head that way first because we've been there in the pouring rain and it isn't pleasant. If Valdez is wet, then we go counter-clockwise and hope Valdez has improved by the time we're back in that area.

From SoCal, consider taking I-15 to I-90 in Montana, then west to Missoula, then US 93 north to Lake Louise and Banff, and then north on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Go East from Jasper toward Hinton, then north to Grand Prairie, then on to Dawson Creek.

Returning, take the Cassiar south, then east to Prince George, then south on 97 to Hope, and west on the Trans Canada to Abbotsford and cross the border at Sumas. From there you have a choice of I-5 south, or going over to the coast on US101.

Sue T's advice above is excellent. Generally the weather is likely to be more clear in May and early June along the coast. Not guaranteed, just more likely.

Be aware that we have been snowed on in May in northern BC, the Yukon, and Alaska around 6 of the last 10 years. No big deal, just pull over and wait a while for the road crew, or just stay put for an extra day. We like going in May because there is usually still a fair amount of ice on the lakes but the roads are bare and dry. It presents a completely different picture than what you will see in July or August.

Good luck on the planning and enjoy the trip.

We used the Mile Post to plan our trip but reversed the recommended up and down direction.

You didn't mention the Alaska Ferry system but if you decide to use it, Id say go up on the ferry (we had 5 layovers) and come back by road. Who wants to have a fixed schedule when they must leave Alaska?

EEWally wrote:
You didn't mention the Alaska Ferry system but if you decide to use it, Id say go up on the ferry (we had 5 layovers) and come back by road. Who wants to have a fixed schedule when they must leave Alaska?

Do not want to do the western ferry route this trip.