Best way to PCS to Alaska?

SGT Ronnie Warford — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 19:51:56 -0400

I have 2 small children and 2 small dogs. We really want to do a road trip but I want to hear what others have done. Moving from Fort Hood

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Jun 22 at 2016 7:56 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 19:56:34 -0400

I had one small child when we pcs to Alaska the first time. We took the road trip and it was awesome. The sites and the lay of the land is beautiful. Best time to go is between May and August.

Response by Keri S made Jun 22 at 2016 7:58 PM

Keri S — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 19:58:01 -0400

Do the road trip. Plan it out but be willing to wing it. Try to do most of your driving at night time if you want to make miles.
That will mostly be the last part of your trip from in Canada to TOK. AK

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 22 at 2016 8:06 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 20:06:14 -0400

Going up I drove my wife and two young boys, two large dogs flew, after she closed out the house in SC.
6 years later we all drove back to OR.. Truck and trailer with my off road truck loaded up. In Between, my youngest son and I drove from AK to CO and back for a week long trip, my wife and son flew.
I drove from AK to WA and flew back to AK.

Its a long trip.... if you're making the trip just to get someplace, Id say not a family friendly trip. If your making it a family trip less agenda driven and more let's see what we see along the way..maybe a little camping along the way it could be a great family fun trip if the whole family goes for that sort of thing. If you're "dragging" any one them along, be it moody teaenager of wife that prefers something other,,,your in for a long stress filled few days.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jun 22 at 2016 8:25 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 20:25:22 -0400

The road trip would be fun, but consider one of the ferries from Seattle. Get a taste of the sea life! Some advice for ALaska: have plenty of cold weather gear for EVERYONE. Moose are NOT cute or friendly. More people die from Moose each year than from bears. Drill that into your kids' heads if you're going to be there long enough to be outside playing by themselves. Don't stay around the base. Alaska is some of the most beautiful country on the planet. Get out and see it. Take a gun. You dropped a few notches in the food chain when you got there.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 22 at 2016 9:25 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 21:25:19 -0400

SGT Ronnie Warford Sounds like the trip of a lifetime, I am envious. Be prepared for emergencies and carry a huge load of patience for everything and everybody.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2016 12:08 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:08:16 -0400

I drove with my wife and kid (1 yr old) from Wainwright to Ft. Irwin. It was a great experience. We went through in November so we got snowed in twice in Canada. Best advise I can give is make sure your car is stocked with food and water and If you drive by a gas station in Canada and have a half tank or less you better fill it up. Some gas stations along my route were over 150 miles apart and I was nervous a few times about running out of gas. With todays technology keeping the kids occupied with videos and such are great to make their time go by.

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Jun 23 at 2016 8:10 PM

SSgt Rilene Ann — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 20:10:32 -0400

Ferry is great ifnot into the longer ALCAN

Response by SSG James Elmore made Jun 24 at 2016 10:35 AM

SSG James Elmore — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 10:35:20 -0400

I did it from JBER to Fort Sill, OK!

It's completely worth it! Just make lists of stops and take lots of pictures!

(Also make sure you buy a GPS that specifically says Canada and Alaska!)

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jun 25 at 2016 10:51 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sat, 25 Jun 2016 22:51:32 -0400

I always wanted to do the road trip. But PCSing form Italy we had to fly. The drive is amazing from the tales of thous who did it.

Response by SSG Joe Jordan made Jun 26 at 2016 12:34 PM

SSG Joe Jordan — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 12:34:21 -0400

Depends on when you have to report really but if it's before October, I say drive. If not take the ferry to Anchorage. My family and I drive up in July and really enjoyed it! We left early (Feb), drove to Haines, AK and took the ferry to Washington State.

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Mar 31 at 2017 8:16 PM

MSG Frederick Otero — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 20:16:10 -0400

The Alcan is one long road and i believe that the POV has to be prepare and inspected prior to getting on the Alcan but that was back in the day of no cell phone and very few refueling points. ( battery warmer and oil warmer as well as extra fuel) The rules may have changed and from viewing ICE TRUCKERS show, the roads looks a lot better, early on after mile marker number 1 there are some hots springs camping area and that was lots of fun till you got out. Good Luck.