Dalton Highway on a Harley: Plans, FAQs, and Advice for riding Alaska's Haul Road

In July 2023 I completed the Iron Butt Ultimate Coast-to-Coast ride from Key West, FL to Deadhorse Prudhoe Bay, AK.
In this video, I explain how I planned for the trip, answer frequently asked questions, and share advice after riding a 20-year-old Harley-Davidson Road King Classic on Alaska's Dalton Highway aka the Haul Road.

[@user-mf7yq5xr9s]

When I got to that intersection to make that right turn for Deadhorse ,, I saw two guys on adventure bikes coming from Deadhorse, they were COVERED in mud so bad you couldn’t tell what clothes they were wearing or what color their bikes were,,, I said NOPE !! My Ultra Limited wasn’t made for that and I knew I would be asking for trouble 😉👍🇺🇸

[@MrGunner945]

this is one of the best put together cross country motorcycle trips that I have seen on KZbin!

[@CrunchMoto]

Thank you! I really appreciate that, I put a ton of effort into editing.

[@deeswiggins4331]

Great video series. Last July, I rode from Utah to Prudhoe bay. It was the best trip ever! I was on an adventure bike (BMW GSA) with knobby tires and still managed to dump the motorcycle on the first muddy hill going up Atigun pass. You're right about it being VERY slick when wet. I stayed 2 days at the Brooks hotel and on my return trip to Wiseman (near Coldfoot)) the roads were totally dry and made for a completely different experience.

[@CrunchMoto]

Yeah, I should have mentioned that in my video. I had dry weather on my return trip down from Deadhorse to Coldfoot; it took 2-3 hours less than the day up in the wet weather.

[@jeffreykrout3034]

Living the dream thanks

[@CrunchMoto]

Yessir - Thanks for watching!

[@Jake_RideH2]

Awesome advice, thank you. This is on my bucket list for big rides to complete one day!

[@CrunchMoto]

You should!

[@jimtrachta1927]

Enjoyed your short video... In 2021 I made it to Arctic circle and had to turn back due to mud/ weather... This July I am leaving Key West and heading north to AK... I pray I make it this time as I will be on the Dalton the 3rd week of July, said to be the bestbtime to ride it... Wish me luck

[@CrunchMoto]

Good luck!

[@mikemichaels4315]

Glad you had a safe trip and made it back. I rode to AK in 2019 on a 2017 Road King and chose not to ride to Deadhorse for the reasons you experienced. I averaged 43mpg and rode within the speed limit for safety. Spent six days riding around AK instead and then rode back. I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@CrunchMoto]

Your ride sounds great!

[@robertmakinen7189]

The room in Coldfoot @6:33 looks almost identical (the rooms all looked the same) to when I stayed there in 92 while driving hydro-axe on the Price road project. Made a lot of money there, bought my girlfriend a diamond ring, she married me, 30th anniversary this year.

[@CrunchMoto]

Sounds like the work was worth it. Congrats on 30 years!

[@mikerapp8163]

Bike Prep: Not Much. New tires, hard bags, tour pack, gas container, change oil, dealer inspection, tighten bolts, hand protecters. Good thing you prepped for that road.

[@CrunchMoto]

Well when you put it like that… I suppose I did prep the bike a bit

[@thehexter1]

Did the trip with a buddy on our Harley’s in 2010, but only as far as Fairbanks. Jasper and Whitehorse are great places to stay and spend time. Great vids, binge watched them all in a day.

[@CrunchMoto]

Thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I’ll definitely plan to spend more time in Jasper and Whitehorse next time.

[@RealRonTV]

Awesome video. Been planning this same trip on my Street Glide CVO for over a year, but I just bought a Pan America to do this on. Your original video and your crash kinda led me down that road lol. I'm planning on averaging 600 per day but I will make adjustments like you suggested to see the sights.

[@CrunchMoto]

Are you the guy I talked to on the phone a few weeks ago? He has the same two bikes! I love my Road King, I take care of it, and can stand a little dirt… but I would NEVER ride a CVO Road Glide or Street Glide on that road. Smart decision! You’ll fly on that Pan America. Enjoy!

[@RealRonTV]

@@CrunchMoto Nope wasn't me. 😊Thanks again for the update.

[@mickeygaines007]

Good choice! It is a cool story to ride a Harley touring bike up there but especially taking a $50K CVO on the Daulton makes zero sense. I lived in Alaska. The Daulton on any bike is a challenge. Especially if you get these big ideas and go up with the wrong bike not respecting that road and what you are signing up for, you’ll be in a situation of needing a lot of luck to get back.

[@brucem8129]

Cool ride

[@CrunchMoto]

Memorable for sure

[@jsr1659]

Binged watch the series, congrats 👏, loved the scenery, definitely on my bucket list!!

[@CrunchMoto]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@aaron___6014]

That riding advice seems good for all roads.

[@CrunchMoto]

Definitely!

[@gsfinatic]

Thoroughly enjoyed the series. Looking forward to you next adventure.

[@CrunchMoto]

I appreciate that. I make these videos to commemorate my trips but also inspire others!

[@craigalbright5126]

Great video I lived in AK and rode a lot The roads are not great 👍

[@CrunchMoto]

Great scenery… questionable road surfaces 😁

[@jackthebagger7589]

Cool , I've done it four times on a Harley , first in 1979 , that was a trip for sure .. Hope to go at least once more in this lifetime .. ADV bike would be a plus ..

[@CrunchMoto]

Cool- I’d love to do the trip again on an ADV

[@chrisd4283]

I did the Dalton this past June. I was fortunate to have little rain but hit the day before mud up Atigun Pass each direction. By far, the scariest 5 miles of my life, and that was on a BMW GSA. I will say that the road crews there are phenomenal. The section of heavily rutted mud I went through on the way up was smooth and dry on the way back. I would do it again as well, but to your point, you really need more time to see it all.

[@CrunchMoto]

I agree about the road crews. And I found the truckers to be very considerate as well!

[@chrisd4283]

Absolutely. They get a bad rap. Of all the trucks passing me only 1 did not slow down which may have just been bad timing. @@CrunchMoto

[@commonclay0070]

What a ride! That’s a wonderful video bravo. Great info too and on a Road King nonetheless 💪🏼😁. Looks like an awesome trip. Could you (or do have a video on the gear you took with you?)

[@CrunchMoto]

Thanks! and yes, I go into some details of that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZSQn5SNeLOfoJI

[@afsoccommando]

Buddy and I are planning the same trip for summer 2025. Good to hear more of your experiences on this trip. How much was lodging in Prudhoe Bay for the night?

[@CrunchMoto]

It was around $225… originally I booked a double occupancy room, but when I showed up as 1 person they gave me a discount. Because 1 person can only eat so much! Check out the Aurora hotel too. They are known for their food, but it’s not as close to the Deadhorse sign. For what it’s worth…

[@richardlingan5455]

Enjoyed the series!! I have a BMW 1200 GS & HD Electra Glide would love to ride up there with my son..I was just worried about taking the HD..but many on KZbin have. Done it.. I was wondering if you. Would be able to put an ADV tire on the HD for better traction on the Dalton.. Thoughts?

[@CrunchMoto]

I’m not mechanically gifted to know if that is possible, nor am I smart enough to plan that far ahead, but it seems like a good idea to me!!!

[@johnmacdonald1878]

The BMW 1200 GS. worked really well for me. I had it fully serviced and put Dunlop trailmax missions on it for about 700$ Cdn. Just before I set off. They did the full trip to Tuktoyaktuk Fairbanks and back home. JIK I carried a spare can of gas, never needed it. Or the tire plugs. It will be the ride of a lifetime with your son. Best If you both have good bikes for the ride.

[@profitininfinitenumbers7189]

You can put knobby tires on Harley Davidson You can also put car tires in the back Last longer than motorcycle tire There’s a guy on KZbin riding a mountain trail on goldwing with knobby tires

[@CrunchMoto]

@@profitininfinitenumbers7189 I saw a guy with knobby tires on a BMW RT

[@gueyg3764]

Adventure road for those from the outside, road to avoid for the locals in motorbikes

[@CrunchMoto]

To each his own

[@johnmacdonald1878]

Good advice. First piece of advice. Don't ride a Harley😀. Pan America why not. Yep. My GS is still dirty.

[@CrunchMoto]

If I do it again, it will be on an ADV bike. But... "run what you brung" or something like that :)