12 Things to Know Before Driving to Alaska

After a three month road trip to Alaska in a camper van, Debbie is sharing with us her twelve things to know before driving to Alaska. Many of these questions are the common Alaska road trip questions she receives from her viewers daily. She will be touching on topics from the best vehicle to drive to Alaska to how many days to visit Alaska. It is a big state and it is remote. But, with a little planning and foreknowledge you may find it really isn't that difficult.

Debbie, a.k.a. From She to Me purchased her van in the summer of 2017 (it is a 2018 Pleasure-Way Ascent). Debbie and her husband are normally on the road in their sprinter van 6 months out of the year. They traveled to Alaska in 2019 from their home in Southern California. She started her channel in 2018 and covers all topics related to their RV travels. The channel name From She to Me comes from one of her favorite poems. The "She" represents our mothers and the wisdom and love they pass from one generation to the next.

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[FromShetoMe]

Thanks so much Drew. It was fun working with you and I look forward to your next adventure.

[justincase]

We did the trip from Louisiana to the Arctic Circle just as GPS was beginning to proliferate and still somewhat inaccurate, 2005. We were in a two door Jeep Wrangler pulling a Jeep trailer and sleeping in a tent most of the time. The thing then was the MILEPOST publication. Great book then, and I assume it still is. I highly recommend it. 13, 000 miles and 8 weeks. BTW, still have the Jeep and trailer.

[pcsteve]

Regarding rigs, we used a 17 ft Casita Travel Trailer pulled by a stock 4x4 pickup and did great including the Top of the World and McKenzie highways. It was nice being able to explore unencumbered while the trailer was in camp. Even for stops while hooked up, parking was not a problem - Alaska isn't crowded like the US. 4x4 not necessary. Caravanning is only necessary for social reasons. Consider if you are on the same page for things like boondocking, cell/internet and dining. To get a campsite with signal may require an RV Park at $40-50 when you could have boondocked free at a scenic location. Likewise, a stop to try the local IPA usually turns into a $50/couple dinner. On restaurant prices, plan on $15 burgers and $20 fish and chips. Just remember, their season is short so support them cheerfully. Excursions are the only way to experience some things in Alaska. I was reluctant to suggest a $400-600 excursion to my wife much less to another couple. Do your research and have those conversations well in advance so you don't miss out on something you really wanted to do. Lastly, gotta disagree with Debbie on the Seward boats, we did the full day tour into Kenai Fjords and it was great. I'm pretty sure the mountain goats on the cliffs above the water were real.

[angpb]

This was a fantastic collaboration - enjoyed both videos and perspectives. Thanks for the tips, recommendations and info. We can’t wait for the day we set off for Alaska. Best to you both and thank you for the excellent videos!

[ericklarson]

We drove up through Canada pre-COVID (2019) and ferried back from Haines, AK, to Bellingham, WA (4-1/2 days). We had a cabin with a bath. My biggest surprise was how infrequent the Alaska Marine Highway ferries run. From Haines it was once a week, so our travel schedule had to be set and determined by the ferry schedule. I appreciated how the Canadians clear the timber on both sides of the Alaskan Highway so that wildlife is clearly visible well before you approach them.

[danieltaylor]

In Canada once you leave the cities and farmland, almost all the land is Crown Land, owned by the provincial government. In B.C. the public is allowed to recreate on Crown Land including access to logging roads and any logging areas. The only restriction is the public is not allowed to build permanent structures or interfere with timber values (don't cut down trees). So free camp just about anywhere.

[BlueCollarDIY]

Great info. This is one trip I've always wanted to take. Hoping to finally get it done this year or next!

[alexanderweaver]

Thank you, Drew and Debbie, for this incredible collaboration. You both answered pretty much every question I had about traveling in Alaska.

[ijblessjourney]

Amazing... love the journey and will definitely watch your Alaska Journey series. We are planning to go in 2023.

[MegaJOAOPAULO]

Great video! I am almost done with my teardrop and am hoping to make that trip with a tiny camper =D

[noniemcd]

We were in Alaska at the same time Debbie was. We loved it. Thanks for the reminders, pictures and ideas.

[PlayingwithSticks]

Anybody planning a trip up here? Or have you already been here? Can't wait to here your thoughts.

[metaxaanabeer]

C&P from she to me's video comment, by me. We did the trip a few years ago with a 15 year old mid sized 4 cyl SUV pulling a 5x8 teardrop trailer. Loved it so much we did it again and as soon as the pandemic allows us to cross boarders we will do it even again. We are Canadian so not quite so far to drive as lower 48 peeps. 90% of the road issues can be eliminated by at least 80% by just slowing down a bit. In the words of the old song, keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel. Masterful collaboration you two, pat yourself on the back, how they should be done! Not one mention of a Jakery battery! Just solid info... PS: In Canada, especially the north, if it isn't signed as private property or no camping/overnights allowed then you can.

[fabiomalheiro]

Loved the colab! Two of the most interesting channels in YouTube, the results couldn't be better!
Oh, we really want to drive up there. Our main issue has been the time allocated for it. We were thinking of something close to what Debbie described: we may need at least 2 months for this trip, and that's the trickiest part.
Thank you both Debbie and Drew, for such entertaining and informative videos.

[tdadventures]

Great collaboration!! We just subscribed. Because of you two, we would love to visit Alaska one day.

[kenpatton]

We have a 4x4 dually with a large truck camper. Haven’t made the trip to Alaska from Oregon yet but have driven from Portland OR to Boston MA, down to Nashville, up to the Blackhills and Custer/CrazyHorse in South Dakota and back to Portland. We never (almost) drive faster than 65 mph and when figuring daily distance (our max is 300 miles a day)we use 50 mph as a normal measurement. 50 mph into 300 is 6hrs daily. 50 also gives us a built-in buffer for fuel stops/traffic jams/construction zones…makes it easy to judge. We’re fairly new to camper traveling (our camper is a 2022 model) but so far we’re loving it! At our extended stays, we unload the camper and have the truck free to go out scouting. Safe travels to all… Cheers

[mikemanjo]

Thanks for the great info! Cool collaboration!

[shesadrifter]

Found your channel on She to Me. Just subscribed.

[earlhunt]

Thank you for this perspective. Really enjoyed this format.

[maitildamcintyre]

I can’t wait to travel to Alaska and Canada in my van but will wait until all the pandemic 😷 issues are resolved. Great video and I love From she to me YouTube channel.