20 things we wish we knew before RVing to Alaska

By Cheri Sicard
The video below from the Happily Ever Hanks is an important one to watch for anyone considering RVing to Alaska. In it, the Hanks honestly share 20 things they wish they had known before undertaking this massive RV trip that tops many RVers’ bucket lists.

The video covers a lot of common questions about RVing to Alaska, including what the roads are like, what kind of upgrades you should do to your rig, whether you need campground reservations, and much more.

This video report is based on the Hanks’ experience spending the summer a year ago in their RV in Alaska, so some things may have changed by now. But this still provides lots of good basic information when planning a trip to Alaska.

Watch the video for details along with some gorgeous scenic Alaska eye candy; but here’s what’s covered in the RVing to Alaska tips:

#1 Stewart-Cassiar Highway versus Alcan (aka Alaska) Highway? These two highways are pretty much the same travel time and distance. For beauty and scenery, our hosts favor the Stewart-Cassiar Hwy. However, the Alcan Hwy. that goes through the Canadian Rockies is also spectacular and you will find a lot more services and support here than on the more desolate Cassiar Hwy.

#2 Rent an RV or bring your own rig? The Hanks says this will depend on the rig. You must have an RV that can stand up to lots of travel and harsh road conditions.

#3 How many days does it take to drive through Canada? Canada is HUGE and people often underestimate this fact. Depending on the route, you will be traveling 2,000 miles or more through Canada. Plan accordingly. The Hanks say to plan on a MINIMUM of two weeks, especially if you hope to stop and see things along the way.

#4 Do you need RV park reservations? The Hanks say no—at least when they traveled, it was not necessary. The only exceptions were the 4th of July weekend and the height of the salmon fishing season.

#5 Can you travel alone or do you need a caravan? The Hanks say you do not need a caravan. That is not to say you may not want that experience, but it is not essential.

#6 What extra RV parts should I bring? You will definitely need all the things necessary to change tires and have one or more good spare tires on hand as well as an air compressor. There is no end to the extra parts you could bring and weigh yourself down with. The Hanks say just cover yourself with the tires and figure out the rest as you go along, as there are resources along the way. (I think I would add belts to the list if it were me.)

#7 Are campgrounds in Alaska comparable to the Lower 48? According to the Hanks, not really. Generally, they are not maintained as well. Also, don’t expect the amenities like pools and hot tubs that you get at home. Sometimes even full hookups are questionable.

#8 How are the roads in Alaska? The Hanks say that, despite a reputation to the contrary, overall the roads in Alaska are not bad and that the state does a good job of maintaining them. This is especially considering all the frost heaves that they are dealing with. However, they can be bad when all that construction and maintenance is underway, so it will depend on day-to-day conditions.

#9 What upgrades do I need to go to Alaska? According to the Hanks, nothing. You could upgrade suspension, but they say as long as you take it slow, this is not essential. If you plan to boondock, you will want a generator. Alaska rains a lot so you can’t always count on solar.

#10 Best place to boondock in Alaska? The Hanks loved Dead Man’s Lake campground just over the border. It was free and big-rig friendly. Watch the video to discover some other favorite spots, including their GPS coordinates.

#11 What about bears? They are there, so be bear safety aware. The Hanks recommend picking up some bear spray just in case. This video can help you learn how to safely use it.

#12 How is the fuel situation? Before they went on this trip, so many people told the Hanks that they had better upgrade to an extra fuel tank. They say this is completely blown out of proportion. The roads always list how far it is to the next fuel stop, so it’s easy to manage. Even on the more remote Cassiar Highway, finding plenty of fuel stops with just a single regular fuel tank provided no challenges.

#13 Will you have internet and cell service? It depends. Like anywhere, the more desolate the area, the less service. But any major area along the way will present no issues.

#14 What are the best months to go to Alaska? May and June are ideal, as you are less likely to experience Alaska’s rainy season then. If you want to fish for salmon, then go in July.

#15 What are some must-see places in Alaska? Watch the video for more, but Valdez was the favorite stop of both Hanks. They said it was the MOST scenic drive they had ever experienced in their entire lives.

#16 How can I increase my chances of seeing Denali? Even on a clear day, there is a 30% to 40% chance you won’t see it. The best way to guarantee you see this famous mountain is a charter plane flight. If you can’t afford that, plan to hang out in the area for a while until you luck upon a day that’s clear enough to see it from a distance.

#17 Are the mosquitoes as bad as they say they are? While not as bad as the Hanks thought they would be, they admitted they are nonetheless really bad on the Eastern side of Alaska.

#18 Best excursion of the Alaska trip? The Hanks share a trip where they took a helicopter to the top of a glacier where they then went dog sledding! A glacier tour excursion came in a close second.

#19 Which resources should I have? The latest edition of the Milepost Alaska Travel Planner lets you know what to expect, mile by mile, even when you have no cell service! In the video, the Hanks also share some of their favorite apps.

#20 How much does it cost to RV to Alaska? This is a complex topic with so many variables, and the Hanks made a separate video about it. Spoiler alert: it was very expensive. Find that video here.

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