| If you are living the RV lifestyle, taking interesting | | | | effort into the project and it more or less wilted |
| road trips is paramount. A trip up the legendary | | | | away on the vine. |
| Alaskan Highway is certainly one to take your breath | | | | As you know, World War II spurred on massive |
| away. | | | | government projects in the United States. One of |
| RV Trips Up The Alaskan Highway | | | | the many issues that came up was how to connect |
| The Alaskan Highway is legendary for a variety of | | | | air bases located in the upper Yukon area to the |
| reasons. When it was first built, it wasn't so much a | | | | continental United States. Since Canada was just |
| beautiful drive as a survivor episode. The trip took | | | | leasing the land to the US, it had little interest in |
| you through huge remote areas and relatively small | | | | putting in roads. After political wrangling, the US Army |
| problems could quickly become catastrophes in this | | | | was charged with essentially building the Alaskan |
| wild land. Today, things are much more serene and | | | | Highway. The Army changed the route slightly to |
| the trip is long, but undeniably beautiful. More and | | | | address its goals, but it did complete the construction. |
| more people are loading up the RV and taking it on | | | | In 1943, the route was completed. Following the war, |
| each year. | | | | the Canadian government purchased the route and |
| The Alaskan Highway runs from Dawson Creek, | | | | surrounding lands for $123 million, made modifications |
| Canada to Fairbanks, Alaska. The total length is | | | | and opened the route to general traffic in 1947. |
| officially just over 1,500 miles but you need to travel | | | | If you are considering taking a RV trip up the |
| a couple hundred extra miles when you take into | | | | Alaskan Highway, there are some things you need to |
| account the drive to the start of the highway and | | | | know. Caution is the general rule you should live by. |
| from the end of it into Fairbanks proper. The only | | | | The entire route is paved, but some areas are better |
| significant population area along the trip is Whitehorse | | | | than others. Ice can be a factor, but it maintenance |
| in the Yukon. | | | | issues that are the most problematic. Potholes, gravel |
| The Alaskan Highway was started in the 1930s, but it | | | | and dangerous shoulders are not uncommon. |
| was an odd project. The highway runs primarily | | | | Although facilities along the road have increased in |
| through Canadian land, but the government in Canada | | | | number, you will be traveling through very remote |
| was not particularly interested in funding it. Why? | | | | areas. Be very careful when driving as help is often |
| Well, they argued that it added nothing to Canada | | | | not close. |
| since there really were not any major population | | | | If you want to experience one of the great open |
| areas along the route. In truth, this position was | | | | expanses of nature left in the world, you could hardly |
| correct. Since nobody had much of a | | | | do better than a trip up the Alaskan Highway. Take it |
| counter-argument, the Canadian government put little | | | | slowly and you will have a trip to remember. |