Alcan Highway Road trip from Seattle to Alaska

Question

I am planning a road trip from Seattle to Fairbanks Alaska in the summer. I wanted to rent a car in Seattle & drop it off in Fairbanks. I'll take a return flight back. Has anyone done this road trip?

Could any of you recommend any rental car companies that offer one way rentals, allow you to drive through Canada, and drop the car off in Fairbanks?

Is there any reliable way to track the road conditions from Seattle to Fairbanks? I plan to be on Alcan highway for most of the trip & use other major highways to intercept the Alcan Hwy.

Thanks

Answer

Driving from Seattle to Fairbanks via the Alaska Highway (Alcan Highway) is an iconic road trip, offering incredible scenery and the adventure of crossing international borders. However, planning a one-way rental that allows travel through Canada requires careful research.

Rental Car Companies

Not all rental car companies allow cross-border travel into Canada or Alaska, and few allow one-way drop-offs from the continental U.S. to Alaska. Some options to consider include:

Enterprise: Offers some one-way rentals and may allow travel into Canada, but cross-border to Alaska is often restricted. You must check specific locations.
Alamo / National: Known to allow certain cross-border travel into Canada, but one-way rentals to Alaska are very limited.
Hertz: Offers one-way rentals but restrictions apply for Canadian and Alaskan travel. You must notify them and pay any cross-border fees.
Local Alaskan rental companies: Some Alaskan companies allow one-way rentals from the U.S. to Alaska, but these are rare and often require booking well in advance.

Important: Always verify with the rental company in writing that you are allowed to drive across the U.S.-Canada border and then into Alaska. There may be additional insurance requirements and fees.

Tracking Road Conditions

Monitoring road conditions is essential for safety, as parts of the Alaska Highway are remote and weather can change quickly. Reliable resources include:

Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) – Provides current road conditions, closures, and construction updates for Alaskan highways.
British Columbia and Yukon highway reports – Since the Alcan passes through Canada, check DriveBC for British Columbia and Yukon Highways for Yukon conditions.
Road condition apps and GPS services – Google Maps and Waze can give general traffic updates, but for remote areas, DOT & provincial reports are more reliable.
Local visitor centers along the Alcan – They can provide up-to-date information on road conditions and fuel availability.

Tips for the Trip

Plan your fuel stops carefully; long stretches have no services.
Carry emergency supplies, including food, water, and a first aid kit.
Book accommodations ahead, especially in popular spots like Tok, Whitehorse, and Watson Lake.
Check border crossing requirements, including passports and any COVID-related regulations.

Overall, this is a remarkable journey, but thorough planning is key, particularly for vehicle rental, insurance, and monitoring road conditions along the entire route.