Alaskan Camper Rentals

Should I take my SUV or a rental RV up the Alaska Highway through Canada in May?

I am considering driving to Alaska for fun before the summer traffic starts. May seems like the best time to go. I have a newer SUV or can rent a big RV for half price since I am really transporting it for the rental company. I've done it before from Arizona to Virginia so I know that RV.

What I would like to know is can I expect to get there without damage to my own SUV or the RV? Damage by rocks or bad road conditions? Any suggestions on how to go or to research this will be appreciated.

Public Comments

1. I am not sure but i beleive that there are some roads that are gravel but they may be paved by now. You should take the RV becasue it is going to take you about two weeks to drive that distance from canada to alaska alone. good luck and hope you have a good trip

2. The ALKAN highway is the last place you want to drive a RV I would highly recommend taking the SUV the highway sucks and it is rough on most spots,trust me I would know.
I live in alaska.

3. i drove up to alaska in a brand new volkswagen going about 80-90 mph the entire time i thought the highway was fine. the road's not paved in parts because it's easier to comb and re-compact a gravel road every summer than resurface an asphalt highway as often as needed in an extreme northern climate. my own experience is they're usually in much better condition than a paved road that isn't properly maintained. you could get one of those plastic screens to protect your windshield from loose gravel but there was very little traffic when i was up there. you have to watch out for wildlife especially in BC and the Yukon. bring something to clean those big bugs off your windshield cuz wipers don't cut it. make sure the transmission and cooling are ok cuz there's some good long hills up there, especially going thru the rockies.

4. I live in Alaska also. I drove the highway way back in 1988. There were 2 patched of road that had gravel patches in it. I was driving a 1979 Toyota Celica - and got zero damage. Not even a rock chip chip in my windshield. That is the only damage I would worry about.
From what tourist have told me - as long as you stay on that Alaska Highway (and do not detour on the Cassiar) the roads are 100% paved now. Even though they are paved - there are still rocks on the road. Even up here in Fairbanks the roads are covered with rocks - mainly because they don't use salt to keep the roads dry in winter - they use gravel for traction.
The only concern I would have would be price of hotels vs. price of RV. Do you like roughing it - or do you enjoy checking into a hotel?
If you have full coverage insurance on your SUV consider lowering the deductible on your comprehensive insurance - to $100 - then the only damage you should receive (windshield) will be replaced rather inexpensively.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!!!!