Best Road Trips in Alaska: Ultimate Guide to Alaska Road Trips
Everyone loves a good road trip and Alaska is full of incredible scenery. I’ve taken plenty of road trips in Alaska since living in Anchorage the past eight years and am excited to share them with you. Whether you’re planning road trips to Alaska or already here exploring, the best road trips in Alaska feature stunning mountain landscapes, wildlife, waterfalls, and even glaciers!
The best advice I can give anyone planning road trips in Alaska is to purchase a copy of The Milepost. It doesn’t have to be the most up to date copy. In fact, we were using one that was a few decades old and it was perfect for the last few years. I only got the updated version because I saw it on sale at Costco here in Alaska. Buy the 2026 Milepost on Amazon and have it shipped right to your door! The $45 price is standard and doesn’t usually go on sale. The Milepost is full of stops for every single highway in Alaska and has all the Alaska road trip ideas you’ll ever need. Additionally, many Alaska highways are internet dead zones so having a paper copy is essential!
Mount Blackburn at the end of the McCarthy Road
Highways in Alaska are known by a name instead of a number. Locals can immediately tell you’re a tourist if you ask about “Highway 1,” and they might not even know what road you’re talking about! If you’re asking for directions, either use the town you’re heading to or the local name for the highway.
Best Alaska Road Trips
Seward Highway: Anchorage to Seward
The Seward Highway was my very first road trip and I was stunned the entire 125 miles (201km). This is one of the most popular road trips from Anchorage Alaska, and for good reason. Starting at Turnagain Arm you’ll have a chance to see beluga whales, the bore tide, waterfalls, and the Chugach Mountains. You’ll pass Girdwood and Alyeska Ski Resort before entering Chugach National Forest. Up next is Portage Valley and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where you can usually spot bison from the road. The Portage Valley has a handful of hanging glaciers high up in the mountains and plenty of public campsites.
Portage Glacier in Chugach National Forest
From here the drive takes you into the mountains and over Turnagain Pass, a popular spot for all season recreation with snowmachines and backcountry skiing in winter and summer hiking trails. From here to Seward you’ll stay in Chugach National Forest passing plenty of campsites and mountain viewpoints. Stop often for the view—the longer you take, the more likely you’ll spot moose or other wildlife.
Sterling Highway: Anchorage to Homer
The Sterling Highway starts in the middle of the Seward Highway and takes you 142 miles (228km) all the way down the Kenai Peninsula to the end of the road at the Homer Spit. You’ll start out similarly in Turnagain Arm but when you reach Tern Lake, take the obvious right turn. The Chugach Mountains stay with you most of this drive with even more beautiful views.
You’ll pass Kenai Lake and Cooper Landing where I recommend following their strict speed limits! Bountiful fishing and foraging can be found all along the Sterling Highway. You’ll pass wildfire scars and wildlife preserves. It is common to see many moose on the drive down to Homer. There’s a stretch of expansive flatland in the middle of this drive but you are rewarded with faraway mountains long before you can see the coast. One of my favorite views is out over Kachemak Bay when you’re coming down into Homer. If you made it this far, I recommend a water taxi into Kachemak Bay State Park—maybe camp out at Grewingk Glacier Lake for the night.
Icebergs float in Grewingk Lake
Denali Highway: Cantwell to Paxson
The Denali Highway is a favorite of mine and although it’s often confused with the national park road, this drive is just south of the national park. You can drive all 135 miles (217km) eastbound or westbound; both are great choices. If you drive westbound you’ll have a Denali view for the second half of the drive, if you drive eastbound you’ll have views of Mt. Wrangell, Mt. Drum, and Mt. Sanford. Regardless of the direction, you’re surrounded on both sides by lesser known peaks and have a high chance of seeing caribou, moose, and other wildlife. The Denali Highway is popular among locals for summer hunting and is even groomed in winter for cross-country skiing and snowmachining.
It can be hard to pick where to stop along the Denali Highway but there are plenty of pullouts where you can car camp as well as a few lodges and public campsites you can reserve. Expect no cell service for the entire Denali Highway and know that it’s mostly a gravel road with plenty of potholes and hazards, so drive slowly and be prepared!
NOTE: The Denali Highway is closed all winter. It’s generally open mid-May to mid-October. Check the Alaska Department of Transportation (AKDOT) website for exact dates.
McCarthy Road: Chitina to McCarthy (60 miles)
Driving to McCarthy means you’re probably staying in McCarthy for a few days to explore Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The McCarthy Road is another fabulous 60-mile (97km) road trip on a gravel road mixed with beautiful landscapes and road hazards. Drive slowly and stop often to enjoy the views! In summer you’re likely to see people fishing the Copper River on this drive. You’ll find a handful of campsites, cross rickety bridges, and if you’re lucky, avoid flat tires.
NOTE: The McCarthy Road is generally open from mid-May to mid-October but subject to road closures. Check Alaska 511 for the most up to date info!
Copper River seen from the McCarthy Road
Denali Park Road: Denali National Park
The Denali Park Road is one of those roads that you cannot drive 99% of the time and need to take a bus on. The bus is absolutely worth it, but once per year for a few days in September the park has a lottery and lets private vehicles drive the Denali Park Road! The lottery is currently paused but I expect it will be up again either in 2026 or 2027 when they open the road again. I was fortunate enough to hit the lottery and drive the Denali Park Road in 2018 and can tell you that once it’s open this should go on your Alaska bucket list! The Denali Park Road is full of mountains and wildlife. The scenery is top notch and for the second half of the park road the Denali views are nonstop!
Denali and the Denali Park Road
Hatcher Pass: Palmer to Willow via Willow Fishhook Road (60 miles)
Hatcher Pass is a favorite recreation area and one of my favorite places in Alaska! I always recommend summer visitors who are heading north take the detour through Hatcher Pass on the Willow Fishhook Road. This stunning 60-mile (97km) drive on a less maintained gravel road features incredible landscapes. The wildlife here is less common than other gravel roads I mentioned but the landscapes are just as good. It only adds about two hours to your drive from Anchorage to Willow, Talkeetna, Fairbanks or anywhere in between and should be on your list!
NOTE: The Willow Fishhook Road is closed all winter. It’s generally open from July 1st – September 15th. Check the Hatcher Pass Road Closure and Avalanche Mitigation Facebook Group for the most up to date information.
View from Hatcher Pass Road
Thompson Pass: Glenallen to Valdez (120 miles)
Thompson Pass is to Valdez what Hatcher Pass is to Anchorage, and since Valdez is much smaller than Anchorage you’re going to see far fewer people in Thompson Pass. You’re also going to see Worthington Glacier and pass stunning waterfalls in Keystone Canyon on your 120-mile (193km) drive from Glenallen to Valdez and back. The trip along Thompson Pass is well worth the detour to anyone driving past Glenallen. Take a few days and explore Valdez Lake or take a boat tour into Prince William Sound. If your end goal is Anchorage you can book a ferry ticket for your car and get a break from all the driving. Don’t worry, I promise Prince William Sound has as stunning views as the drive you’d be skipping along the Glen Highway. Although the Glen Highway from Glenallen to Palmer would make an excellent addition for anyone who prefers driving to boats.
The Glen Highway: Palmer to Glenallen (137 miles)
The Glen Highway follows the Matanuska River from Palmer all the way to its source, Matanuska Glacier, covering 137 miles (220km). Along this drive you’ll see Matanuska Glacier and a few others high in the mountains. This trip has some of the sharpest turns with sheer cliffs and can be especially sketchy in winter weather. Consider booking a room at Sheep Mountain Lodge to split this drive up and relax with a view. They also have a roadside restaurant with excellent burgers and beer at surprisingly affordable prices. The second half of your drive to Glenallen will feature expansive landscapes dotted with lakes and distant mountains. If you’re lucky you’ll get clear skies straight ahead and see Mount Drum prominently above the road for the last 20 or so miles.
View of Matanuska Glacier from Glen Highway
Tips to Make the Most out of your Alaska Road Trip
- Check your rental agreement – Most rental companies prohibit driving on gravel or dirt roads. Verify before leaving pavement.
- Expect construction delays – Alaskans joke about two seasons: winter and construction. During summer, plan for delays and allow extra time, especially if you’re stopping for photos.
- Stop for photos often – Alaska’s landscapes are worth it, and stretching your legs makes long drives more enjoyable.
- Watch for wildlife – Moose are larger than most people expect. Collisions can total your vehicle and cause serious injuries.
- Prepare for remote stretches – Many routes have long gaps between cell service and gas stations. Fill up when possible and carry an emergency kit with a jump starter, blankets, food, and water.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these suggestions for the best road trips in Alaska. Remember to order your copy of The Milepost on Amazon to plan the small details and spur-of-the-moment stops.
If you’ve driven any of these road trips, comment below and let me know which is your favorite. If you’re planning an Alaskan road trip you can always reach out to me in the comments or on social media—I’m happy to offer my knowledge and help where I can.
