By Cheri Sicard
The sisters behind the Two Tired Teachers YouTube channel (two retired teachers with over 60 years of teaching experience between them) are gearing up for their Alaska RV trip on a budget. RVing to Alaska tops the bucket lists of many U.S. and Canadian RVers, so the sisters decided to share their budget-friendly Alaska RV trip planning tips.
The sisters stress the importance of giving yourself enough time to prepare for an epic journey like this. They also say that making needed purchases will be less expensive in the U.S. than in Canada or Alaska in most cases.
The sisters gave themselves six months. They did a separate video about the travel planning portion of their trip. This video covers preparing your RV and tow vehicle for the Alaska trip.
What the sisters did to prepare for an Alaska RV trip on a budget
#1 Repairs and maintenance: The sisters went through their RV and completed all necessary repairs and maintenance, both minor and major, inside their trailer and to their tow vehicle. This is a long trip through some remote territory, so you want to be prepared.
#2 Prepare for cold weather: The teachers smartly picked up a Mr. Buddy portable indoor propane heater. This works well to heat small areas quickly. Learn more here.
#3 Install a dash cam: The sisters decided that installing a dash cam for the trip was a good idea, even on a budget. They had been thinking about it, anyway, mostly for their own protection. But the Alaska trip further inspired them to act, as they might encounter some amazing wildlife viewing along the way.
#4 Get new tires (if needed): If anything about your tires is even a little questionable, be it age or condition, it’s a good idea to replace them before your Alaska trip.
#5 Carry emergency repair supplies: When packing, the sisters included an emergency windshield repair kit and a tire repair kit.
#6 Carry gas cans: In case you have an emergency or need to run a generator, having the ability to buy and carry gas can be a lifesaver.
Do you have other tips for preparing for an Alaska RV trip? Be sure to leave them in the comments below.
And if you’re planning a trip to Alaska, the Milepost will be your best companion. The 2025 version was just released.
##RVT1179
The book noted in the article above is not The Milepost, but apparently a knockoff designed to trick people into buying. The Milepost comes out around April of each year. Here’s a link to the 2024 edition:
https://www.amazon.com/MILEPOST-2024-Alaska-Travel-Planner/dp/1892154587/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_2_1/147-9823165-4077566?pd_rd_w=xfwr7&content-id=amzn1.sym.156274ff-6322-443d-8bbf-ab3ed87e382f&pf_rd_p=156274ff-6322-443d-8bbf-ab3ed87e382f&pf_rd_r=PC7JM1YCCYDVJ7JKNC3A&pd_rd_wg=9A6Yl&pd_rd_r=1ba361a3-b90e-4f0a-9fc5-9a633e0733ed&pd_rd_i=1892154587&psc=1
Yikes! That’s awful! Thanks so much for pointing that out, John. I’ve updated the link to the correct Milepost. –Emily
I made numerous trips to Alaska,mostly job related back in the 1980’s and 1990’s and learned a lot each time on every trip. I learned the Cassiar highway was a better route than the Alcan..even though the Cassiar meets up with the Alcan West of Watson lake. I also had memorized where every gas station was…and which ones to avoid. There were some unscrupulous people in a few places who thought it enterprising to plant nails in their driveways to buy fuel. I also learned about crazy drivers on gravel roads…there are plenty. Watch the speed limits as there are plenty of critters along the road including those long legged moose. Even a few inebriated First nation folks will wander out.
When I first worked in Alaska in 1972, the George Parks Highway was not complete, the Denali Highway was the route from Anchorage to “Mt. McKinley National Park”, the Alaska Pipeline had not begun construction, the Iditarod Race had not yet been run, and “New Valdez” was brand-new. Alaska really was still a pretty remote place.
But today, carrying extra fuel, heavy spare parts, massive tool supplies, and two spares is not really needed. Alaska is no longer a “third-world country”. Fed-Ex, Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Safeway, even Starbucks, etc., are all available in Alaska. In western Canada, the big towns and cities have anything you need for an RV. Just go and enjoy!
I concur.
Thank you, Cheri! The Milepost is certainly a peerless resource. The suggestions of the sisters are very good ones. DW is beginning our travel planning for next summer’s trip. Thankfully, the resources she and her mother used to plan our 2019 trip can be updated and augmented. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
WE flew into Alaska and rented a camper for 3 weeks. Had a wonderful time. Would do it again, rental company was easy to work with and we had no problems.
This is for traveling in the Yukon: Buy gas where you can. Stations close frequently (Milepost will help with this, but I don’t take chances – I’ve made the trip 50+ times). Go slow on the stretch between Whitehorse and Tok. If you are having problems, go back to Whitehorse instead of pressing on – there are mechanics there, parts stores, and the wait will be more pleasant if you’re stuck for a week or two. (A guy stuck on the side of the road ignored my advice and wanted to press on to Tok). Even where the stretches of road seem better, there are still potholes and frost heaves. Go slow and pay attention, or you’ll break an axle or springs. Don’t expect much cell service.
We have made that same trip you explain about many times in my work in Alaska. I have been close to being ripped off a few times by unscrupulous fuel stops along the way and learned early on where to NOT stop at. Back in the those years we did not have all the gadgets listed in the article…just make do. Given today’s political nightmare between Canada and the US…I have no intentions of chancing it anymore.
The authors were traveling to Alaska on a budget, but didn’t even mention one of the best money-saving tips of all! If you plan take any cruise tours, train rides, flightseeing rides, raft trips, or visit any museums, etc. (all of which are the best ways to really see and learn about Alaska), buy the “Great Alaska TourSaver”. It comes as a printed booklet or phone app, can be purchased before you leave, and gives you 2/1 tickets for all its venues. One cruise to Kenai Fjords NP will pay for the TourSaver, then everything else is actually 2/1. For me, it’s just as valuable as The Milepost. Can’t beat it!
Great addition, Steve H! We saved lots of money with it in 2019! Recent price was $100. Safe travels!
Thank you for calling attention to the video, Cheri, and reviewing it. At a high level, I haven’t anything to add to what was covered. The specifics vary and are peculiar to ones rig. One clarification regarding the 2025 Milepost. It is scheduled for release in April. We bought the 2024 version for planning. We have pre-ordered the 2025 edition (https://a.co/d/5MvxGAy) should get that sometime in April, barring no production hiccups. We’ll check the 2025 edition for any small changes (new campgrounds along the Cassiar?), but most planning will be done with the 2024 edition. We plan to depart mid-May. Rig maintenance and service begins 3/3. Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂
Mile Post book is a must. And as we planned our trip, we saw an advertisement for an Alaska RV trip for $9K plus RV expenses. Some campgrounds and side tours were paid for. The itinerary dates were listed. So we planned the trip for two weeks ahead of the large company caravan and saved much of the $9K. We even added the “Top of the World Hiway” and Chicken.