Known for its desolate and extreme territory, how did the first highways in Alaska even get built? It’s hard to imagine how people nearly one hundred years ago would have cut through mountains during their freezing winters to build a road, and yet, they did! Originally, people only traveled locally within Alaska by pack train in the summers or by dogsled in the winter, on the Valdez-Eagle trail (which underwent a few variations in name). Later, the military built a wagon trail in order to encourage freight movement to and from new gold producing areas. This was the Richardson Highway: the first long-distance trail that was turned into an official road around 1902. However, it would be half a century before they got an official highway and later still when Alaska would be connected to the contiguous lower 48. Now, traveling along Alaska’s longest highway is an adventure for road-trippers and adventurists alike.
The Richardson Highway was called the first road, but this dangerous route was upgraded to wagon trail after gold was discovered in Fairbanks. After the first two motor vehicles traversed this path, it was deemed a viable route between Valdez and Fairbanks. The trip took several days, cost approximately $100 (a little over $3k today), and required several ferries to cross large rivers. The unpaved gravel would turn to mud in the Alaskan weather, often trapping cars. As the railroad and the roadways competed for funding, things got heated between travelers when the Marshall had to arrest several truckers that began taking the ferries at night to avoid tolls. Eventually, a trucker built his own ferry for truckers so they could avoid the ever increasing toll charge. Funds for the roads versus railways seemed out of reach. At least, they did until World War II.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Fairbanks became an important military outpost. With the army needing to send supplies via truck, the tolls faded away and the Army and ARC drastically improved the Richardson Highway. Most notably, they began paving the road and bridging the ferry crossings. However, this was still not enough to make it drivable all year around. In the winter, the road saw over 550 inches of snow and frequent avalanches. Removing all the snow over the winter became an impossible task. Finally, a private company stepped in in 1949 to provide snow moving equipment and people to operate it during the winter. This is how Alaska got its first major road and highway.
During this time, the Alaskan Highway also went into construction—specifically, 90 days after Pearl Harbor, in tandem with the Canol Pipeline and the Alaskan Communication system. Started as a pioneer road by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1942, it was finally passable by vehicle in 1943. After constant revisions and updates, the Alaskan Highway was opened to the public in 1948, and paving was completed in the 1960’s. This 80-year-old highway continues to be main road connecting Alaska to the contiguous 48 states.
Though the Alaskan Highway has seen constant improvements, this route is still full of challenges, satisfying the adventurous road tripper to this day. Anyone driving to Alaska only has three options: the Alaskan Highway (also called the Alcan), the Cassiar Highway, and the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System. Folks that want to truly experience what Alaska has to offer--and avoid the ferries--pick the Alcan. This drive averages 6-10 days with plenty of scenic stops: lakes, parks, museums and plenty of natural wildlife along the way!
Though this road is paved now and it’s far from its 60’s version, there are still some very important things to know before embarking on this journey. First, make sure you know how to drive in rough winter weather. This means knowing what to do in case of frost, snow, and ice. Second, there is limited reception and internet accessibility along this route, so you might want to print out those maps the way we used to in the “old days.” Third, determine how much you want to drive each day in advance and pay attention to the time. The sun does not act the same in Alaska as it does in the lower 48 and determining your driving time based off the sun is not the best way to go. Read more about the do’s and don’t here.
If you should find yourself on the Alaska Highway, remember that Interstate Signways is marking the way!
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