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There are so many reasons to go on a motorcycle trip in Alaska and it should be on every motorcycle lover’s bucket list. When planning a motorcycle trip in Alaska though, there are several issues to consider.
Road laws in Alaska for motorcycles
The road laws in Alaska are very similar to the other 48 states. You cannot lane filter, and as long as you are 18 years old, you will not be penalized for not wearing a helmet.
To ship or ride all the way?
Regardless of where you’re coming from, there are many people who ship their motorbikes to Alaska, or at least to the Alaska Highway and then ride yourself.
If you ship, you need less time and you get less wear on your bike. Shipping can be costly, but so can gas and hotels to ride all the way.
You can ship directly to Alaska or into Canada. I would recommend shipping to Dawson Creek, so that you can ride the entire Alaska Highway into Alaska.
Here are a few options for shipping your motorcycle:
- Domestic (some of these can do Canada)
- International
What kind of bike do you need for a motorcycle trip in Alaska?
For the most part, a regular street bike can get you around Alaska. However, there are many pot hole filled roads and you may have to go through gravel in construction.
Additionally, there are many roads in Alaska that are solely dirt roads. If you want to go up to Prudhoe Bay for example, you’re gonna need a bike that can go off-road.
Some bikes that could work for this trip:
- Honda Africa Twin
- BMW GS
- Ducati Multistrada
For more information on general motorcycle travel and what to pack, just out this article:
What You Need to Know About Travel on a Motorcycle
There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of hitting the open road and starting to travel on a motorcycle. The wind in your hair…
Crossing the border from Canada
Crossing the border from Canada into Alaska is relatively simple. Usually crossing from Canada into Alaska is very quick and easy. The way back, however, can take ages, depending on the border crossing. You can do a quick Google search to see waiting times at the border.
Once at the border, they’ll ask for your passport, how long you’ll be in the US if you’re Canadian, and if you brought any firearms, bear spray, or other prohibited items into the US. Firearms are allowed when crossing borders, but you have to declare them and present all your documents.
Ferries in Alaska
A lot of areas of Alaska are only able to be reached by boat, or at least the fastest way is by boat. The ferries are not that costly for a foot passenger, but there is a heavy price to bring the motorcycle on the boat.
One option for motorcyclists is to drive into Alaska from Canada, but then take a ferry on the way back that goes all the way into Washington. It can be costly but efficient and with great views on the boat!
One ferry I would recommend is going from Whittier to Valdez. You can drive it, but it takes a bit longer and you’re repeating a lot of roads you would be doing anyway.
If you decide to take a ferry, make sure you book in advance, as they do fill up!
Approximate prices for one motorcycle:
- Ketchikan to Bellingham, Washington – $1130 without lodging – 36 hours
- Whittier to Valdez – $188 – 6 hours
Things to consider for your motorcycle trip in Alaska
Construction
In Alaska and Northern Canada, you will find a lot of construction. It’s too cold to do it in the winter, so summer is the only time the crews can try to catch up for the remainder of the year. You will find yourself on many roads that desperately need maintenance to be done, and expect delays because of waiting for a pilot car in construction.
Cabins vs. motels vs. camping
Lodging is pretty expensive compared to the other 48 states. Anchorage and Fairbanks have plenty of lodging options, but outside the major cities you will mostly find cabins, motels, and camping. Unless it’s a really nice, sought after place, you can usually just show up and find lodging once you arrive.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes in Alaska and in Canada are CRAZY. Be sure to pack bug spray and possibly spray your outer gear and base layers with a mosquito repellent. We also had mosquito nets to throw over our heads when needed.
Bear spray
If you go hiking or camping off the grid, you will need bear spray. However, you are not allowed to bring the bear spray from Canada into Alaska, so you’ll have to buy it on the road.
Tires
While you can definitely take your street tires to Alaska, you may be limited on where you can go and many of the roads there are riddled with potholes and/or gravel. We were fine on street tires for the most part, but I did have a tire puncture when riding back into Canada. If you want to go up to Prudhoe Bay, you really need tires that can handle a dirt road.
Low octane fuel
In Alaska, the highest octane rating we saw was 90. Most bikes will work fine, but we were using octane boosters just in case.
Additionally, on the Alaska Highway and other remote areas, it was difficult to find premium fuel. The octane booster is a life saver in these instances.
Approximate prices of fuel on my trip:
@thetejanabiker Average cost to fill up the MotoGuzzi v100 tank on the road trip. All in US Dollars #motorcycleroadtrip #motorcycletravel #bikergirl #motorcyclesoftiktok ♬ Woo × I Was Never – Slowed Reverb – Ishu Music
Where dealers are located
The biggest cities in Alaska are Anchorage and Fairbanks. At least one of these should have an official dealer for your bike. While we were there, we had to have our oil changed and so we went to a dealer in Anchorage. Here are a few of the bigger motorcycle maintenance shops:
The Motorcycle Shop
944 E 73rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99518
Darby’s Performance Machine
3006 Industrial Ave Fairbanks, AK 99701
↓ Planning an Alaska motorcycle road trip? Check out my Google Map of my route, including places to stay, restaurants, and sights to see along the way. ↓
Key destinations
Denali – The famous national park that is an unending wilderness. It’s only open in the summer, as in the winter the temperatures drop far far below zero.
Kenai Peninsula – This southern peninsula has great views of the mountains, the seaside, and key destinations to visit like Seward and Homer. Beware though as it rains A LOT down there!
Anchorage – The biggest city of Alaska is great to visit, especially the shoreside and the Alaska Aviation Museum. It’s also a hub for shops in case you need to stock up on supplies or visit the motorcycle mechanic.
Valdez – This small town was actually my favorite part of the trip! We did an amazing boat tour that took us to a glacier and got some spectacular views.
Prudhoe Bay – This destination is on the bucket list for many motorcycle riders, as it’s the gateway to the Arctic. You can take the road to Deadhorse, which is the oil field town on the bay. However, Dalton Highway, the road to reach there, is mostly dirt roads. Make sure you have tires and a bike that can handle it before setting off.
Tips
- Denali Highway is a great ride that many people miss when they go through Alaska! I highly recommend going out of your way to do it!
- Extra fuel – For most places you’ll visit in Alaska, you can always find a gas station. However, when going to the more remote areas such as Denali Highway or Prudhoe Bay, it’s smart to carry some extra fuel with you just in case! You can buy fuel cells to put on your bike on Amazon.
- More riding time! – In summer, there are only a few hours of nighttime. There is normal dusk, but it lasts for several hours. Supposedly it gets dark after 12:30 AM and the sun rises at 3 in the morning. I sometimes woke up in the middle of the night though and it was always light outside! If the light bothers you, bring something to block it out, especially when camping.
