When you drive through Alaska, you don’t just go from Point A to Point B. You move through mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, ocean views, and long, quiet stretches that make you feel part of the land. If you’re planning a trip and want the routes that actually stay in your memory, here are the most scenic road trips in Alaska, quick, simple, and easy to follow on Google Maps, with a travel guide.
Best Road Trips in Alaska Highway Routes
1. Seward Highway: Anchorage → Seward
If you want one adventure road trip that gives you everything: ocean, mountains, wildlife, and views that feel unreal, this is it. You follow Turnagain Arm, pass hanging glaciers, and sometimes even spot beluga whales.
Best stops:
Potter Marsh, Beluga Point, Girdwood, Wildlife Conservation Center, Kenai Lake.
Distance: ~125 miles
Drive Time: 2.5 hours (longer with stops)
2. Glenn Highway: Anchorage → Glennallen
This is the road where the Matanuska Glacier suddenly appears right beside you. If you like dramatic mountain walls and wide river valleys, you’ll love this route.
Best stops:
Eklutna Lake turnoff, Matanuska Glacier viewpoints, Lion’s Head, Sheep Mountain.
Distance: ~180 miles
Drive Time: 3.5–4 hours
3. Richardson Highway: Glennallen → Valdez
This drive feels like Alaska showing off. Waterfalls explode out of canyon walls, glaciers sit right beside the road, and Thompson Pass gives you one of the best alpine views in the state.
Best stops:
Worthington Glacier, Thompson Pass, Bridal Veil Falls, Horsetail Falls.
Distance: ~115 miles
Drive Time: 2–3 hours
4. Parks Highway: Anchorage → Fairbanks
On a clear day, Denali shows up like a giant on the horizon. This is the easiest long drive in Alaska and perfect if you want smooth roads and plenty of services along the way.
Best stops:
Willow, Talkeetna junction, Denali View South, Denali View North, Nenana.
Distance: ~320 miles
Drive Time: 6–7 hours
5. Denali Highway: Paxson → Cantwell
This road is wild. No crowds, no noise, just you, tundra, lakes, and long, empty gravel stretching into the distance. If you want to feel Alaska’s raw side, this is where you drive.
Best stops:
Tangle Lakes, high tundra pullouts, Alaska Range viewpoints.
Distance: 135 miles (mostly gravel)
Drive Time: 4–6 hours
Tip: A high-clearance vehicle makes life easier.
6. Haines Highway: Haines Junction → Haines
This drive takes you from high alpine country into a peaceful river valley filled with wildlife. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is a must-stop, especially in the fall.
Best stops:
Alpine viewpoints, Chilkat River pullouts, Eagle Preserve, Haines Harbor.
Distance: ~150 miles
Drive Time: 3–4 hours
7. Dalton Highway: Fairbanks → Deadhorse (Arctic Ocean)
If you want a story to tell for the rest of your life, you drive the Dalton. It’s remote, rough, and absolutely unforgettable. You cross the Arctic Circle, pass through the Brooks Range, and end near the Arctic Ocean.
Best stops:
Yukon River, Arctic Circle sign, Coldfoot, Atigun Pass, Galbraith Lake.
Distance: 414 miles
Drive Time: 10–14 hours
Tip: Take extra food, water, and a full-size spare.
Quick Safety Road Trip Tips
- Download your Google Map route before leaving town.
- Keep your gas tank above half.
- Watch for moose, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Bring warm layers, even in July.
- Roads can change fast with the weather, especially mountain passes.
FAQs
What’s the most scenic road trip in Alaska?
The Seward Highway is the most popular, but the Denali Highway is the wildest.
Can I drive these routes in a regular rental car?
Yes, except for the Denali and Dalton Highway, where a high-clearance vehicle is better.
What month is best for scenic driving?
June to early September.
Will I see wildlife?
Most likely moose, eagles, bears, caribou, and sometimes belugas.
Can I follow these routes on Google Maps?
Yes. Just open the route before the drive and download it for offline use.
