What you need to know about motorcycling the Alaska Highway (Alcan Highway)
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Motorcycling the Alaska Highway is on many riders’ bucket lists due to its connection to the Northwest Territories of Canada and to Alaska, but is not always an easy feat.
The Alaska Highway or, more affectionately known as the Alcan Highway, is the most popular route that connects Canada with Alaska.
I did a trip from Texas to Alaska and back with my dad during the summer of 2023. It was an amazing experience that I would love to do again! If you’re planning a trip to Alaska or at least on the Alaska Highway, here are some things you need to know.
What is the Alaska Highway?
The Alaska Highway is the road connecting Canada to Alaska. It is one of the only ways to reach Alaska by land, and also the connector between British Columbia/Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.
It was constructed during World War II, in order to connect Canada and Alaska. Most of the route is extremely remote, and towns are few and far in between, with the biggest city being Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.
Most of the other travelers driving Alaska Highway are either RVers or motorcyclists. Since there aren’t a lot of stops, we tended to see the same group of riders every time we stopped for gas, for lunch, for lodging, etc. I loved the sense of community as everyone journeys the Alaska Highway together.
Additionally, you’re treated to beautiful views of mountains, turquoise blue rivers, and wilderness as far as the eye can see. There are few places in the world where you can experience such untouched nature.
Where does the Alaska Highway start?
The official start of the Alaska Highway is in Dawson Creek, BC, Canada and it ends in Delta Junction, Alaska. All together, the road is 1,387 miles (2,218 km), with lots of fun curves and views.
Map of the Alcan Highway
The Alcan Highway goes from H to D to C. We were doing a round trip so we switched up the route a bit.
For a full map of the entire route we took with stops, enter your information here:
How long does it take to drive the Alcan Highway?
Depending on how long you budget your time and how many hours per day you’re riding, motorcycling the Alaska Highway can take between 3 – 5 days. Most days we were riding 7 – 8 hours. It’s definitely long, but you’re surrounded by beautiful landscapes. If you want to take more time to explore the area, definitely budget for a few more days.
Where can you stay when motorcycling the Alaska Highway?
There aren’t a lot of attractions on the Alaska Highway, and few places of lodging. However, there seems to be ample room for the most part, and camping is a popular option. Some of the best places we stayed on Alaska Highway were:
Liard Hot Springs – More about this below
Yukon Motorcycle Park – A new campsite catered to all the motorcycle travelers passing through!
Air Force Lodge – This lodge in Watson Lake was originally built in 1942 as a barracks for WWII pilots. Many of the design and decorations have been restored.
Points of interest on Alaska Highway
Liard River Hot Springs Campground
The Liard Hot Springs are the perfect place to spend the night after a long day of motorcycling the Alaska Highway. These springs, seemingly in the middle of a wilderness, are nature’s hot tub and a place to meet fellow travelers. It costs $5 to enter the hot springs, or the price is included if you stay at the campground. Alternatively, there’s a nearby lodge with a restaurant.
Sign Post Forest
The Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake is a popular attraction on the Alcan Highway. People brought and left street signs from all over the world to make up this unique collection.
Whitehorse
Whitehorse is the biggest city on the Alaska Highway. If you need to stock up on supplies, visit a bike shop, or take a break for a few days, Whitehorse is the place to do it! Miles Canyon, located right outside Whitehorse, is a beautiful stop
Dawson City
This town was the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1800s. Many of the historical buildings are preserved, and you can visit gold mines or see a show at the saloon! It’s not on the Alaska Highway, but if you’re doing a round trip to Alaska, it’s another route to take to reach the border/the rest of the Alcan Highway. Instead of continuing on the Alaska Highway from Whitehorse, you can take Highway 2 up to Dawson City, then onwards on the Top of the World Highway to the Alaska border.
Top of the World Highway
A beautiful route headed up to Alaska. In the summer it’s nice, but it’s on my bucket list to visit in the fall! The road is completely dirt and gravel so it takes a few hours to reach the Alaska border, due to the speed you’re going. You start the route in Dawson City by taking a small ferry across the river, then climbing up over the hills and eventually winding up in Poker Creek, Alaska.
Detour to the Arctic Ocean
Some brave-hearted travelers may wish to leave the Alcan Highway and head up to the Northwest Territories and the Arctic Ocean. It’s definitely something to mark off the bucket list, but you will need off-road tires, as the road there is only dirt and gravel!
Tips for the Alaska Highway
Stock up on gas when you can
On the Alaska Highway, gas stations, restaurants, etc. are few and far in between. Stop for gas when you can, ESPECIALLY if they offer premium gasoline and you need it for your bike. Buy an octane booster for when you can’t find a high enough octane gas, and I highly recommend that you invest in a fuel cell.
Create a sticker to commemorate the trip
Something I wish I’d done but didn’t even think about it! When you’re planning this long of a trip, you want a way to commemorate it! Many other riders had stickers created for the trip, which were then placed along various stops along the way. There were stickers from all corners of the world, and it’s a cool way to leave your mark! You can get custom stickers done on Etsy.
Watch out for wildlife at dawn and dusk
Dawn and dusk are when animals come out closer to the roads and when on the Alaska Highway, there is A LOT of wildlife. Be careful driving around these times as you may see bears, deer, mountain goats, bison, moose, and more!
Continuing on to Alaska? Check out this guide:
Repin this article for later!
