Whittier to Palmer, ak

Question

We will be getting off Holland American cruise in Whittier. We have a helicopter glacier dog sledding tour scheduled for 2:30 pm. We will be be riding bus to Anchorage and picking up rental car. Is it doable to get to Palmer by 2:00?

Answer

Getting from Whittier to Palmer in time for a 2:30 pm helicopter glacier dog sledding tour is possible, but it will be tight and depends heavily on timing, traffic, and your cruise disembarkation speed.

Here’s what to consider:

Cruise Disembarkation: Holland America ships typically start letting passengers off in the morning, but it can take some time depending on the number of passengers. Make sure you account for at least 30–60 minutes from ship to bus boarding.
Bus Transfer to Anchorage: The drive from Whittier to Anchorage is about 1.5 hours under normal conditions. Some tours may add a little buffer, but delays can happen due to traffic or road conditions.
Picking up Rental Car: Once in Anchorage, retrieving a rental car can take another 20–30 minutes, assuming no long lines.
Drive from Anchorage to Palmer: The distance is approximately 42 miles and typically takes around 45–50 minutes via the Glenn Highway (AK-1), assuming normal traffic.

Putting this together, if your bus leaves Whittier around 10:30–11:00 am and all goes smoothly, you could reach Palmer by approximately 1:30–1:45 pm, just in time for your 2:30 pm tour. This schedule allows almost no room for delays.

Recommendations to improve feasibility:

Contact the bus provider in advance to ensure quick transfer from Whittier to Anchorage and ask about their fastest drop-off option near the rental car location.
Have your rental car reservation ready and possibly opt for expedited pickup if available.
Check traffic conditions on the Glenn Highway before departure.
Consider letting your tour operator know your tight timing—they may accommodate a slightly later check-in if needed.

In summary, while doable, the plan is tight. Any delay in cruise disembarkation, bus transfer, or rental car pickup could make you late. A slightly earlier cruise disembarkation or earlier bus departure would add much-needed buffer time.