EPIC Road Trip: Alaska to Illinois Completed in 7 Days

[slowride]

Awesome composition and light on the photos!!!
Thank you for sharing your trip, it looks like a 4x4 adventure magazine layout...
Your trip is on my wish list, but not this time of year...
Would late September or October have most of the buzzing bugs gone???
I love your dog that's one happy lucky pup!!!
Thanks again,
Jeff

 

[fjcruising]

Really cool. We are in the PNW, have not made all the way up - my wife prefers the trips south rather than the colder north so our northernmost point is Whistler (for now) but I will x2 or x3 or x4 or whatever number we are on the Nokians. No studs for us because we don’t get enough snow in Seattle and they are a little loud, but they way they channel water/slush is great. We drove down to the Oregon coast this past very rainy weekend and you never feel unsettled on the road. It’s the assigned car for the girls and well worth the investment. My only worry is the other drivers on the road, something you may not have to worry en route to Alaska

 

[Lou Gill]

How much fuel...did you use premium?

 

[04UZJ100]

How much fuel...did you use premium?

Didn’t add up. I don’t really care.

Used premium in metropolitan areas - not in the sticks as I was afraid of getting stale gas. No issue with regular while in use.

Averaged anywhere from 12-17MPG and traveled upwards of 85MPH any times. Total trip was ~3,700 miles.

 

[Samuraj]

How you end up in Alaska In first place ?
It was round trip ?
I’m from Illinois, this trip is in my bucket list

 

[04UZJ100]

How you end up in Alaska In first place ?
It was round trip ?
I’m from Illinois, this trip is in my bucket list

Relocated for work.....now being relocated back

 

[linuxgod]

Having never run studded tires I'm curious, could you legally run them all the way to (and through) Illinois? I always assumed you could only use them in places where it was perpetually icy.

 

[M1911]

Having never run studded tires I'm curious, could you legally run them all the way to (and through) Illinois? I always assumed you could only use them in places where it was perpetually icy.

Each state has their own laws. Many (most?) states allow them only during certain months of the year. In MA, they are allowed first of Nov to end of April.

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/05/08/snow-and-ice-faqs.pdf

 

[M1911]

Looks like IL and WI ban studs.

 

[coleAK]

Incredible scenery! Seeing these views makes me push Alaska up on my punch list. I can't imagine a better ride to do it in - quiet, steadfast comfort and capability.

Makes me re-think whether I really want to "upgrade" to a Cybertruck that may not be able to traverse these types of vast remote expanses. The 200-series is just made for such a trip, especially with an aux tank.

What's your thoughts on an AT tire for such a trip? Summer Alaska only?

I live up in AK as well. No way in the winter with an AT tire. I run studded Nokians and have on all our cars for over 10 years, it’s The best arctic tire out there.

 

[slipkid13]

"The fairing on the tailgate is pathetic. The back of the 200 becomes disgusting from road debris."

+1 Hell yes, I have never seen any vehicle accumulate dirt, debris and muck like the back of an LX.......

 

[afgman786]

"The fairing on the tailgate is pathetic. The back of the 200 becomes disgusting from road debris."

+1 Hell yes, I have never seen any vehicle accumulate dirt, debris and muck like the back of an LX.......

4runner is pretty bad too!

 

[bloc]

Pretty sure our fairing has more to do with mileage and looks than keeping stuff off the rear.

 

[04UZJ100]

Having never run studded tires I'm curious, could you legally run them all the way to (and through) Illinois? I always assumed you could only use them in places where it was perpetually icy.

Rolling the dice in IL until the other wheel set with Michelin’s show up when our stuff is moved.

If a cop gives my pregnant wife a ticket with AK plates in IL there is a special place in hell for him.

 

[04UZJ100]

Pretty sure our fairing has more to do with mileage and looks than keeping stuff off the rear.

Agreed but at what actual gain .... .0005MPG?

 

[M1911]

Rolling the dice in IL until the other wheel set with Michelin’s show up when our stuff is moved.

If a cop gives my pregnant wife a ticket with AK plates in IL there is a special place in hell for him.

I‘d be surprised if a cop actually notices the studs and he would have to be a serious Richard to give you a ticket.

 

[Lou Gill]

I‘d be surprised if a cop actually notices the studs and he would have to be a serious Richard to give you a ticket.

Except the sparks on the road!!!

 

[04UZJ100]

I‘d be surprised if a cop actually notices the studs and he would have to be a serious Richard to give you a ticket.

You can’t see them. You hear them.
I might roll the dice every year until they’re worn out .....

 

[bloc]

Agreed but at what actual gain .... .0005MPG?

I'm not an aero expert but the mileage of these things is actually pretty impressive given the size, weight, and engine displacement without any fancy cylinder shutdown schemes.

As for what the spoiler does? Not sure. But I bet it is just one small part of a bigger picture. Had you noticed that even the ends of our side view mirrors are shaped to let air flow across the glass and smoothly re-join the air going around the outside?

I‘d be surprised if a cop actually notices the studs and he would have to be a serious Richard to give you a ticket.

You don't even have to see them. They make so much noise simply driving by a cop not closed up in his car would be a dead giveaway. Now writing a ticket.. that's a different level.

 

[steenh]

Damn I miss living up there! Great pictures.