September 26 itinerary advice

Question

We're looking at a 12-14 day road trip in Alaska next year after a 7 day cruise starting early September. We have been looking at the various reviews and come up with the below itinerary and were wondering if it looks doable and any suggestions for improvements . We are aware that there are a couple of long day drives but we are used to long drives as we live in Australia.

1.Anchorage to Seward

2.Seward

3.Seward to Homer

4.Homer – fishing trip

5.Homer to Denali National ParkNP

6 Denali National Park

7. Denali National Park to Fairbanks

8. Fairbanks

9. Fairbanks

10.Fairbanks to Valdez

http://11.Valdez

12. Valdez to Glacier View

13.Glacier View to Anchorage

Our main queries at this stage are whether 3 nights in Fairbanks ( probably around 13-15 September) is too long - would we have good chances of also seeing the Northern Lights from our stays in Denali National Park and Valdez so would 2 nights in Fairbanks be sufficient? We have not included Whittier but as we're visiting Valdez and will do a cruise from there , it seemed a lot of effort especially with the tunnel timing to detour to Whittier for a day or en route to another place. Thoughts? Many thanks in advance

Answer

Your proposed 12-14 day Alaska road trip after a 7-day cruise looks ambitious but doable, especially given your comfort with long drives. Alaska’s scenery is spectacular, and your itinerary covers some of the best highlights, including Seward, Homer, Denali, Fairbanks, and Valdez.

Itinerary Feedback:

Anchorage to Seward / Seward: Driving along the Seward Highway is scenic, with opportunities for stops at Turnagain Arm, Exit Glacier, and Kenai Fjords. One full day in Seward is reasonable if you’re not planning a full-day Kenai Fjords cruise.
Seward to Homer / Homer fishing: This is a long drive (approx. 5-6 hours) along the scenic Kenai Peninsula. Homer is ideal for fishing trips and enjoying the town and beaches.
Homer to Denali: This is a very long drive (roughly 8-9 hours). Consider breaking it up with a stopover in Anchorage or Talkeetna to avoid fatigue.
Denali National Park: One full day is minimal for sightseeing; two days allow you to do a bus tour into the park, see wildlife, and enjoy shorter hikes.
Fairbanks: Two nights is usually sufficient. You can base yourself here for Northern Lights viewing, riverboat tours, and museums. Three nights may be considered long unless you want a more relaxed pace or are adding optional excursions.
Fairbanks to Valdez: This is another long drive (7-8 hours). Plan for early departure and check road conditions.
Valdez: Two nights are suitable for glacier cruises, hiking, or exploring nearby areas.
Glacier View to Anchorage: The drive is around 5-6 hours. Ensure you factor in daylight and weather conditions.

Northern Lights Considerations:

Late September is a good time to see Aurora Borealis, but clear skies are critical. Denali and Fairbanks are both good locations; Valdez is less commonly chosen for Northern Lights due to coastal weather.
If Aurora viewing is a priority, having at least two nights in Fairbanks gives you a higher chance. Denali’s lodges sometimes organize Northern Lights excursions if the skies are clear.

Whittier Consideration:

Your decision to skip Whittier seems reasonable since you are visiting Valdez and will experience a cruise there. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel timing and traffic can make detours cumbersome.

Additional Suggestions:

Plan for long driving days with early departures and snacks.
Check road conditions regularly, as September can bring variable weather.
Consider flexibility for wildlife viewing stops along highways—bears, moose, and caribou can appear unexpectedly.
For Denali, reserve park bus tours in advance if you plan to go deep into the park; shuttles are limited.

Overall, your itinerary is very doable. Reducing Fairbanks from three nights to two seems reasonable unless you want extra downtime. Denali and Valdez both offer potential Northern Lights sightings, so your chance of seeing them across the trip is good. Skipping Whittier is practical and will save time.

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