Dalton Highway to Deadhorse Alaska (1 Viewer)

[South Texas 97]

I’ll skip the bit where it takes 2 days just to get out of Texas….

Salt Lake City LC museum

Plan so far

Lewiston
Hwy 3
Clarkia
Couer d'Alene
Hwy 41
Newport
Hwy20
Cusick
Hwy 20
Colville
Hwy 395
Boulder Creek Road
Curlew
Toroda
Toroda Creek Road
Chesaw Road
NFD Road 3245
Wauconda (Hwy 20)

or alternatively
Curlew
Hwy 21
Republic
Hwy 20
Wauconda
Tonasket
Oroville
Hwy 97
-------- Canadian Border -----------
Okanagan-Similkameen
Hwy 3
Princeton
Hwy 5A
Merritt
Ashcroft
Cache Creek
100 mile house (Hwy 97)
Quesnel
Prince George
Hwy 16
Houston
Hwy 37
Upper Laird
Hwy 1 North
--------- Alaska --------------
Hwy 2
Fairbanks
Coldfoot - Fuel/Food/lodging/campground
Wiseman (AirBNB)
Deadhorse lodging - not sure about a campground

Next is to work on mileage and potential accommodations along the way

 

[knuckle47]

You’re first stop…..perfect

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Is this being planned for 25 or 26?

Leave Houston mid May 2025 is my plan.

Tapping out. Can’t do May 25. To many irons in the fire Ref: Florida move. I’ll monitor in the event it slides “right” into 26.

 

[1911]

Glad it is shaping up!

Who is all in on this trip?

I would love to go, but May 2025 timing is very up in the air with me right now, between my mother-in-law's poor health (probably dying) and trying to finish our house construction.

 

[Slapshot]

I’ll skip the bit where it takes 2 days just to get out of Texas….

Salt Lake City LC museum

Plan so far

Lewiston
Hwy 3
Clarkia
Couer d'Alene
Hwy 41
Newport
Hwy20
Cusick
Hwy 20
Colville
Hwy 395
Boulder Creek Road
Curlew
Toroda
Toroda Creek Road
Chesaw Road
NFD Road 3245
Wauconda (Hwy 20)

or alternatively
Curlew
Hwy 21
Republic
Hwy 20
Wauconda
Tonasket
Oroville
Hwy 97
-------- Canadian Border -----------
Okanagan-Similkameen
Hwy 3
Princeton
Hwy 5A
Merritt
Ashcroft
Cache Creek
100 mile house (Hwy 97)
Quesnel
Prince George
Hwy 16
Houston
Hwy 37
Upper Laird
Hwy 1 North
--------- Alaska --------------
Hwy 2
Fairbanks
Coldfoot - Fuel/Food/lodging/campground
Wiseman (AirBNB)
Deadhorse lodging - not sure about a campground

Next is to work on mileage and potential accommodations along the way

When I rode up there I took a lot of the same roads.
The Provincial camp parks are pretty nice and reasonably priced. One standout was in Smithers before 37
Hwy 37 was a stretch for fuel. Some camping /food options at Dease lake
Tok AK was a good place to stay
If you come back via the Alcan Hwy make a stop at Laird hot springs

 

[AlaskanWheeler]

You won't find any parks in Deadhorse, there are a few hotels though. It'll be nice to have a shower and decent bed to sleep in, once your off that road...

 

[AlaskanWheeler]

I would also think about installing a windshield film to protect you from rocks. You will get rocked, there is really no avoiding it. The trucks hauling Iso tanks will not slow down, those are the one in particular you need to slow way way down for.

Also, if you don't have one already, add a CB radio to the list.

 

[sogncab]

I would also think about installing a windshield film to protect you from rocks. You will get rocked, there is really no avoiding it. The trucks hauling Iso tanks will not slow down, those are the one in particular you need to slow way way down for.

Also, if you don't have one already, add a CB radio to the list.

That is a good idea. I wonder if a step above film and maybe doing a layer of plexi would be a good idea.

Crap can get trapped in between which would be a hassle, but might save the flat glass from taking too hard of a hit.




More good ideas and things to think about are appreciated.

 

[sogncab]

If bringing the dog, there's hassle with Canadaland in that regard that too.

Bringing animals to Canada: Importing and travelling with pets - inspection.canada.ca

inspection.canada.ca

 

[jimkyser]

We took our two golden retrievers into Canada this past summer. Had all of the necessary documents, they didn’t even look at it. They asked a few questions and waved us on our way. Similar experience with the US Border people when we came back a week later.

 

[South Texas 97]

Picked up a CB radio, some window film, and a second spare tire. I figure the window film can be put on the headlights as well. I think 3 x 5 gallon gas cans, which I won’t really need until perhaps BC and Yukon Territory.
We will see if the border rules will be changing given what’s happening….
I recently put new springs HFS from Cool Cruisers. A very nice set of springs,shackles and U Bolts. It all went together fairly well.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Picked up a CB radio, some window film, and a second spare tire. I figure the window film can be put on the headlights as well. I think 3 x 5 gallon gas cans, which I won’t really need until perhaps BC and Yukon Territory.
We will see if the border rules will be changing given what’s happening….
I recently put new springs HFS from Cool Cruisers. A very nice set of springs,shackles and U Bolts. It all went together fairly well.

Curious-why are you taking the 40 rather than the 80?

For your return, I suggest considering a slight detour by driving from Fairbanks to Dawson City on Top of the World highway, then further south taking the alternate route of the Cassiar highway into BC rather than the Alcan. Also, might as well head off to Banff/Jasper while you're at it.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Curious-why are you taking the 40 rather than the 80?

Just opinion, but driving a 40 up there would be a whole lot cooler than an 80.

Albeit not near as comfy.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Just opinion, but driving a 40 up there would be a whole lot cooler than an 80.

Albeit not near as comfy.

Yes, I suppose so. Also the north country is a favorable place for a road trip in a slower vehicle because the speed limits are relatively low and traffic is light.

 

[knuckle47]

Speed limits? Come to think of it….in 50 years I have never gotten a speeding ticket in an FJ40

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Yes, I suppose so. Also the north country is a favorable place for a road trip in a slower vehicle because the speed limits are relatively low and traffic is light.

If you ever stop at Cordovas in Juneau, tell her Ryan from Lost Trail said hello.

 

[fyton2v]

I was really hoping for more pictures so I can pretend that I'm going to do that trip too.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I was really hoping for more pictures so I can pretend that I'm going to do that trip too.

Here are a couple from 14 years ago, the last time I've been on the Cassiar highway. Actually the hanging glacier was on the glacier highway, a short and worthwhile detour off the Cassiar to the small sister towns of Stewart BC and Hyder AK. I've yet to drive the Dalton.

 

[South Texas 97]

Yes the 80 would be nice, and if it was my only LandCruiser I’d go in that. It’s already made two round trips to Seattle from South Texas and with 365000 miles still has a couple of hundred thousand miles left in it. I also have a 76 FJ40 with 76000 miles, so I thought I should break that in a bit. I’ve had one longish trip up to Ouray for the Solid Axle Summit and although there were a few issues with brakes and fuel lines, it was a good trip. Keep to the right and eyes on the rear view mirror, and generally keep out of everyone’s way. 50-55 is my average pace for around 6 hours per day.
The additional places and roads suggested are all being added to my list.
It looks like fuel management will be the biggest item to pay attention to as there are some long stretches up north.

 

[knuckle47]

generally keep out of everyone’s way. 50-55 is my average pace

Smart strategy. Unfortunately here in the “Garden State” if you drive at 55 cars will approach you at speed from the rear and swerve to avoid hitting you. They pass you at 70-80. I wont use my 40 on the turnpike as a result, I value it too much.

Now here’s the big one.. if you’re from the 5 boroughs of NY, ( Manhattan Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens or The Bronx) you can drive 55 in the LEFT and piss everyone off