Community Forums

Rexlion · 01-10-2025, 06:42 PM

For those of you who have taken summer driving trips to both places:
Newfoundland
NW Canada & Alaska

1. Which of the two did you enjoy more, and why?
2. How did they compare in terms of flying bugs and amount of sunshine?

TIA.

Twomed · 01-11-2025, 02:02 PM

Different... was on the Gaspe on Canada Day one road in/out thru a small town with a parade, Police just put our three rig caravan in a nd we waved back at folks along the route...COOL! At St. Anthony NF we met the same young folks from the museum at a dinner theater place later and had a ball with beer and dried fish snacks. VERY friendly folks wherever we went.
Actually did the Trans Labrador Highway to Goose Bay and ferry down to NF. Great adventure Hydro plant tours, mine tours. Beaver flightseeing. Much less crowded than AK.
http://nilabradort.myddns.me:8989/ar...d/labrador.htm

twogypsies · 01-11-2025, 04:34 PM

Those two can't be evenly compared!

We loved the drive up to Alaska and the whole all-summer trip. We had one of the warmest, driest summers so weren't bothered with mosquitoes. There is so much variety the whole way from forests, waters, mountains .... even a desert in Carcross, Yukon where we geocached! British Columbia is gorgeous, also.

Triangle Drifter · 01-12-2025, 03:59 PM

Been to NL twice. It is not that far north. About the same latitude as southern Alberta so in June you won't get the long hours of daylight but it does have that northern vibe about it.

We were last there in 2021. It is a big island. We did about a month there. Could have been happy staying longer. Lots of sights to see if you take the roads that spur off of the TCH. Wonderful people. Saw very very few RVs with US tags. Take your chances seeing icebergs. Our first trip there were loads of them. Second trip, next to none. Same time frame, June. Minimum 6 hour ferry ride to get there so not cheap.

Rexlion · 01-12-2025, 08:12 PM

For me it's about 700 miles farther to Anchorage than to St. John, Newfoundland. I mostly value nice scenery, and I like seeing mountains and water about equally. But I like sunny weather for viewing the scenery. Heavy mosquitos is a big detraction. Trying to decide which one I'd enjoy more, to do first. I realize the types of scenery will be vastly different between the two, and they both sound good. Getting the feeling that not many people on the forum have done both, judging from the low number of responses. Thanks to those who have commented, though.

TomandGloria · 01-13-2025, 05:49 AM

We have done both. We did the Canadian Maritimes in 2019 and Alaska in 2022. We enjoyed both trips. They were totally different, with totally different scenery and things to do.
If you want to meet the nicest people in the world, go to Newfoundland. We felt welcomed everywhere we went on the “Rock”, and said we would return someday even though the ferry ride is long.
We had been to Alaska 5 times, but never drove up there. We absolutely loved the wildlife, scenery and our time up there. But, you will spend a lot of time driving to get to Alaska. Parts of the ALCAN were rough and required you to drive the road and not the speed limit. We spent many miles driving around 30 mph. However, the ALCAN had been closed for 2 years, so in all fairness there was a lot of road construction going on. It may be better now.
I would do both trips, and enjoy yourself. You will not regret it.

twogypsies · 01-13-2025, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomandGloria

...... the ALCAN had been closed for 2 years, so in all fairness there was a lot of road construction going on.

What year was it closed for 2 years? That's a major route for truckers and for people to get supplies. I don't recall it being closed.

TomandGloria · 01-13-2025, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

What year was it closed for 2 years? That's a major route for truckers and for people to get supplies. I don't recall it being closed.

Sorry, wrong choice of words. It was closed to tourist traffic during Covid and was not maintained during that 2 years period. That was the information we were provided by multiple sources during our trek north. It was some of the roughest road we have traveled on. Hope that clears it up. 😀