How much does it cost to drive to Alaska?

[@sailsoon1]

We slow drove from central Virginia to Alaska and back in 2022. A 5 month, 15,000 mile trip with our F150 towing a Lance 1685 trailer. Fuel costs at the time were $7,500. So worth it.

[@rickringler5021]

2023 trip to Alaska from West Virginia, nearly 11000 miles driven. Spent a little over $5000. Ate out a few times, couple souvenirs. Stayed in camp grounds seven nights. Boondock the rest of the time.

[@WanderwithKate]

Nice! You did a great job keeping costs low.

[@ktauxe]

We took our Sprinter campervan to the Arctic Ocean (Dempster) from New Mexico Aug/Sept. 2023. Here's our info: Diesel - $3400, Ferry (Bellingham to Skagway plus cabin for 3 nights): $2800, Camping/lodging (63 nights, 1 hotel, 6 nights family, the rest camping): $750. We did not bother keeping track of food since it is not different than what we would spend at home for groceries and eating out. We also did not include souvenirs, showers or dump stations as those were minimal (except for the $40 shower and dump in Tok!)

[@WanderwithKate]

Thank you for sharing your numbers!

[@markminer7390]

Always wanted to make that trip North and back. Speaking for myself, I'd love to see photos of scenery and overview of what is most memorable. Thanks for sharing!

[@toddshook1765]

What a trip of lifetime. To be under $100 per day is awesome. And average 18 miles/gallon is very good. Got me dreaming of a trip.

[@gregoryhodge9452]

If she had a Nissan Frontier she would have gotten better gas mileage. 😊

[@magooracing]

We went up the Dalton last summer. Gas and diesel at the Yukon river gas station was $7.50/gal. In Valdez it was $5/gal.

[@Pp4Gd]

Thank you for sharing. I was very curious what it would cost. It would be different for me as I would be coming from California but this gives a great place to start from.

[@Step-n-Wolf]

Thanks...bucket list trip.

[@TerryManitoba]

Just got back from a 6k mile Yukon trip. Costs have not been organized yet. I ate out 3 times a week & did not pay for a single camp site. iOverkander was my friend👍 My 2017 Transit van got 19.81 mpg (8k lbs - trip ready weight) I was driving at a leisurely SAFE speed most of the time That was 3 mpg better than previous trips where I was generally going faster and spent more time in urban environments.

[@WanderwithKate]

A 6k mile Yukon trip sounds amazing! Did you have any favorite spots you visited? I have been mostly using freecampsites.net, but I'll have to try iOverlander.

[@TerryManitoba]

@@WanderwithKate The recommendations on iOverlander are very similar as free campsites. Lots of times I would simply see a side road and pull in to spend the night. Lots of areas up there with no cel service as well. Queen Charlotte Islands (aka Haida Guai) was amazing & going north on the Steward Cassiar Hwy a/w all the great side roads off it.

[@tjfm59]

gives a idea at what too expect. this trip is the bucket list, like you starting from mn. doing westeren cananda into alaska. have done easteren canada & the other 49 states.

[@michaelkurz9067]

You did excellent young lady on expenses:) what caused tire flats driving to Alaska,sharp objects or just wear and tear??

[@WanderwithKate]

Thank you! One was a sharp object on a paved road, the other was likely from a sharp rock on the Dempster highway.

[@michaelkurz9067]

@@WanderwithKate thank you for responding:) safe travels to you

[@VintageWanderer]

Thanks for sharing you cost. Cheers

[@David-e1b3t]

What an interesting glimpse. What was popping your tires? Rocks? Nails?

[@Chris_at_Home]

I worked along the Dalton Highway for 15 years and most flats I saw were a rock punctures on the inside sidewalls of the tire. Rocks from another tire come across and do this. I’ve seen people get multiple flats because of excess speed. We used heavy duty tires on our pickups and SUVs and I only changed a few tires in all those years. I used to help tourists change tires if I had time as I carried a small electric impact wrench.

[@WanderwithKate]

I ran over something small and sharp on a paved road outside Anchorage for my first flat tire. The second flat tire was on the Dempster highway. I was running the stock tires on my Tacoma and trying not to drive too fast, but I pulled over to the side of the road to let a truck pass and must have hit a sharp rock. After that flat on the Dempster highway, I drove like a turtle the rest of the way.

[@daleley7645]

Wow, you did great at $91 per day! Thanks for the breakdown.

[@ourtime1372]

Heading that way 2025 or 2026. Hoping 2025. 60 day or more in a class b+ RV. We are able to do 90 if she dont get sick of it. Looking forward to #1 and #2 on my bucket list. Alaska and the Dempster. We are budgeting 30k or more. One in a lifetime. If we get a second chance I will do it again and again. Do you have plans to go again in the future?

[@WanderwithKate]

Enjoy your trip! I don't have any solid plans yet, but I would love to make the drive again sometime. It is a wonderful drive.

[@johnculbertson1963]

Is your truck paid for? if not thats also a expense.

[@WanderwithKate]

Good point! That is another expense to consider.

[@johnboone2581]

How’s that? She would be paying a truck note if she was on the trip or not.

[@davidwpinkston4226]

you have good teeth

[@scleco93]

The level of privilege to be able to take two months and thousands of dollars to drive around Alaska is astounding.

[@WanderwithKate]

Yes! It took a lot of hard work and years of savings, but I am very privileged to have had the good health and the right circumstances to have been able to take the time for this travel.

[@garyb6219]

Bitter much? Some people know how to set a goal and work hard to achieve it. I bet you're a riot on the cruise channels.

[@MichaelThigpen-q3o]

She is enjoying living her life, and she’s sharing something she learned. Leave her alone

[@rodfreess6019]

That's funny, people drop thousands every day on vacations to Europe or the latest tropical getaway, or their toys. But some girl spends two months driving to Alaska and you call her out for her privilege, nice.

[@garyb6219]

@@scleco93 Troll.

[@stevemueller7376]

THANKS !! great info. Bucket list trip