Class A to Alaska

[Lynda Gull]

Has anyone driven their class A through Canada to Alaska from the west coast? What advice do you have? We've tried to find videos but have only found class B or small C.

[R.Wold]

Originally Posted by Lynda Gull

Has anyone driven their class A through Canada to Alaska from the west coast? What advice do you have? We've tried to find videos but have only found class B or small C.

If you do a search on Alaska (type Alaska in the search box above) you’ll find many threads discussing all aspects of travel to Alaska through Canada. It’s a popular topic and the results of will give you plenty to read.

[twogypsies]

Sure. Thousands have driven their Class A of all lengths to Alaska. We took our 40' motorhome for the all summer trip. The trip isn't difficult..... just long. You'll have some long construction areas usually because summer is the only time they can do it. Drive slow. What are you trying to find videos of? Stops on the way? There are many on YouTube. Here's the first one that popped up. I didn't watch it so don't know if that's what you had in mind. This summer might not be the good year to plan for it. The Canadian border has been closed for all non-essential travel since the virus. You'll need to check the border web sites for up-to-date information but things may change by summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jf8...homeExperiment

[Lynda Gull]

Thank you. We were really curious about the length being okay to drive. Your answer helped.

[Skip426]

Please be aware that the current , Canada /USA ,border closure may well be extended , for recreational travel , until the fall , when Canada catches up on vaccinations .
No word yet if the Yukon , plans the same time restriction ( 24 hours to transit the territory ) for this summer as they did last year.
Currently , Canadians returning to Canada through land crossings are required to have a negative test ( less that 72 hours old ) and be tested again on entering and quarantine ( in hotels ; at there own expense ) till they get results.
No word on what the regulations may be in 3 months .

[Tee Jay]

Originally Posted by Lynda Gull

Has anyone driven their class A through Canada to Alaska from the west coast? What advice do you have? We've tried to find videos but have only found class B or small C.

The Highway has been in continuous use for heavy trucks since at least 1970, many of them pulling doubles. Not a problem.

The border crossing into Canada is usually easier at Sumas or Lynden, east of I-5. We like to go to Hope and continue on to Kamloops and then north to Jasper. After crossing Jasper, we turn north just before Hinton, AB, and go to Grand Prairie, then on to Dawson Creek and north.

The US Border Crossing outside Beaver Creek is height limited. If you are greater than about 12' high, go in the truck lane to the right.

Frost heaves are an issue, and can causes some serious bouncing and damage to suspension and axles. Most, but not all, are marked with red flags on the berm. Slow down for them.

Your cell phone will work in a lot of urban areas, but not out on the highway. Satellite TV will quit about Ft St John when the dish won't drop low enough to get the signal. Satellite Radio will work past Whitehorse, and then quit before Tok. It may work part time in parts of Alaska, but don't count on it. Cell Service in Alaska is limited to the towns, but will also cover a lot of the MatSu Valley and the Kenai. Data service can be quite good or spotty, better in town.

Expect the border to remain closed this year.

A lot of camp facilities do not have full water and sewer before May 15 or after September 5. Ft Nelson has a free water and sewer on the north side of town near the visitor center on the right by the last stop light.

[Lynda Gull]

Thank you Tee Jay! Very informative and helpful.

[Americanrascal]

We've driven a couple of times up and back from GA. Last trip in a Class A gasser. It was so much more enjoyable in our Class A than when we drove it in a prior year with a truck camper. We also towed our car behind the rig when we went in the class A

As noted earlier, keep your speed down- especially on gravel/dirt sections. Take a good camera, and binoculars. The sites and wildlife you see will be spectacular.

By all means take a spare tire for each type of tire. We didn't need to use one one but with occasionally rough roads you sure want to have one when you are in the middle of nowhere. For us we took 3 spares- one for the motorhome, one for the tow dolly and one for the car- three different sizes.

Fuels stops can be many many miles apart, so we learned to drive on the top half of the tank. If the needle hit 1/2 we knew we best get her filled up. Brace yourself for high priced fuel. You may want a couple of credit cards as I recall some were not accepted in Canada in remote areas-- or maxed out on fill ups.

We scoped out our Walmart's prior to leaving so we knew where we could stop and restock easily along the way.

By all means buy the most current "MILEPOST".. Its the most wonderful informative resource for the trip! Driving days will likely be shorter due to many factors- enjoyment along the route being the most time influencing factor slowing things down-- you definitely don't want to rush this trip. We drove up and back in 22 days each way and we sensed we rushed it too much.

[LarryK]

We have made a round trip to Alaska 20 times in a 40 foot motorhome and want to do it again this year. We normally go from California and then back to same. Once from Houston, Texas. Last year was the biggest challenge, Canada required us to have food and water for the trip without stopping for anything but fuel, buying at the pump. No Campgrounds, stay on the pullouts on the side of the road only. This year it looks like it will be the same, possibly requiring proof of being vaccinated.

The entire road is paved, except small sections under repair.

Not using campgrounds isn't a big problem, there are plenty of large pullouts all along the road. We normally go up in late April or early May and come back out in October, most campgrounds are not open then anyway. Most pullouts in Yukon are marked "No Overnight Parking" but have always used them and never had a problem. Last year we had 24 hours to go thru Yukon so we had an eight hour stop and then went on.

Check on restrictions, things not allowed to take into Canada online before going, it can change each year. Also the same coming back in the US.

Northern section, past Whitehorse, can be ruff. Winter frost heaves can beat up the road, most marked with red flags. Slow down, 15 to 30 mph thru these areas. Frost heaves can continue into the first hundred miles into Alaska. Its different every year.

Canada has a information number but they are reserved as to what they can promise that you that will or will not be allowed to do. 800 461-9999 It's pretty much up to the agent in the booth.

Good luck and safe travels. Larry

[2Newsomes]

Originally Posted by LarryK

Last year was the biggest challenge, Canada required us to have food and water for the trip without stopping for anything but fuel, buying at the pump. No Campgrounds, stay on the pullouts on the side of the road only.

That's interesting, how did you get past the essential travel stipulation?

[LarryK]

We told the border agent we wanted to go straight thru to Alaska and they were allowing that. There were quite a few outside RVs in Alaska but far fewer than normal years.

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by LarryK

We told the border agent we wanted to go straight thru to Alaska and they were allowing that. There were quite a few outside RVs in Alaska but far fewer than normal years.

I saw on the news last night that they are issuing permits at the border I believe it is a 4 day permit to get to Alaska but I would check with border customs.
There were people saying they were going to Alaska and spent a couple of weeks in Banff and Jasper. They are quite serious about this now, big fines.
But I think if you are honest and follow the rules you will be ok.
But I urge you to contact Canadian border services.
Also the permit had to be displayed on the mirror of the vehicle. In a class A probably the front windshield.

If you've never been too Canada before. You all will find us friendly well mannered and only shoot when we're bored!