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Dalton Highway Alaska Comprehensive Guide

The journey through the Dalton Highway in Alaska is one of the best adventures in the Last Frontier State, but it requires perfect preparation. It’s a remote, challenging, and tough road through the Alaskan wilderness. 414 miles one way. With no amenities and limited services. One of the most dangerous and one of the most isolated roads in North America. This article will find everything you need to know about the Dalton Highway. We will give you many tips and share experiences on how to prepare for this trip to have a fantastic but safe journey.

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Dalton Highway Alaska - view of the mountains, gravel road and pipeline system.

Table of Contents

Dalton Highway Alaska Comprehensive Guide – Introduction

What to expect?

Alaskan Dalton Highway stole our hearts. It is extremely challenging, wild, beautiful, and surprising. With great sights along the way, like the Arctic Circle, one of the hardest-to-reach national parks in the U.S., Gates of the Arctic National Park, and the mysterious gold mining town of Wiesman. And with hard-working people – truck drivers at Coldfoot Camp and Prudhoe Bay and the staff of the few service points along the way.

It is also a route with the possibility of encountering bears, wolves, moose, caribou, arctic squirrels, and musk-ox. The narrow, mainly gravel road winds through the forest, tundra, and mountains of the Brooks Range. The natural landscape is complemented by a man-made oil pipeline, the sight of which will accompany you on your 414-mile journey. But you must be prepared for a 1,000-mile journey both ways, as services end just after Fairbanks. Make sure to read our articles: Guide to Bear Safety in Alaska and Guide To Moose Safety in Alaska.

Agnes and Chris on Dalton Highway.

Our experiences?

Before you set off on this journey, check our tips and experiences. One of our summer Alaska road trip goals was crossing the Arctic Circle, reaching Prudhoe Bay, and plunging our feet into the Arctic Ocean. We spent 10 days on Dalton Highway.

If you dream about this route, prepare well for it. Our goal is to help you. This step-by-step guide tells you how to prepare for your Dalton Highway road trip for a great but safe adventure on this isolated Arctic land.

We embarked on the Dalton Highway journey under the banner of our initial project, The Van Escape. Consequently, you’ll notice that some of the photos and the video carry the watermark of that first blog, which we continue to manage. For insights into the genesis of our adventure, don’t miss our About Us page.

Before you start reading, we invite you to tour Dalton briefly. Our video is less than 3 minutes long. You will see what to expect. Enjoy!

A few parts of the Dalton Highway Alaska Comprehensive Guide

First Part – The Essential Info about the Dalton Highway to Plan a Trip

Our guide consists of several parts. This is part one – the introduction to the planning of the Dalton Highway trip. You will learn where Dalton starts and ends, what is the best maps for this route, what company to rent a car from, where to refuel along the way, and more. We tell you the most exciting facts about this road’s history, the Alaska pipeline system, Dalton Highway road conditions, and why this road is so dangerous. Use the table of contents for straightforward navigation.

Second Part – Safety Tips

In the second part of the guide, Dalton Highway Safety Tips, we focus on specific preparations for the travel: how and what to equip the car, what to pack, and what are the safety rules on Dalton. We also tell you how to plan a budget for this trip and how much we paid for fuel in Coldfoot and Deadhorse. Check our article with safety tips if you plan to drive the Dalton.

Third Part – Camping on Dalton Highway

In part three, you will learn all the details about Dalton Highway Camping, as it is quite a challenge to find a safe place to stay on this wild and uninhabited route. We will show you all campgrounds, public BLM lands, hotels, and cabins along the route.

Fourth Part – Best Stops on Haul Road

We also prepared detailed articles with lots of tips and inspirations about the most exciting stops along the Dalton Highway. They are:

Dalton Highway Alaska scenic view from the plane.

Where is Dalton Highway?

Where does the Dalton Highway start and end?

Alaska Route 11, known as James W. Dalton Highway or North Slope Haul Road, runs through the north of Alaska. The Dalton Highway starts 84 miles (134 km) north of Fairbanks, in Livengood, on Elliot Highway. It ends 414 miles (666 km) further north at Deadhorse and the oilfields of Prudhoe Bay, a few miles short of the Arctic Ocean.

How long is the Dalton Highway?

The Dalton Highway is 414 miles (666 km) long. For most of its length, you will see no towns, comfortable hotels or restaurants, services, or stores. In addition, you have no reception most of the time. But you must be prepared for a 1,000-mile journey both ways, as services end just after Fairbanks. Between Fairbanks and Deadhorse, services and facilitates are extremely limited, so keep that in mind when planning a trip.

our rented car with the sign of Dalton Highway.
Dalton Highway Alaska.

Dalton Highway Directions from Fairbanks

From Fairbanks, drive north on the Elliot Highway (AK-11). At Milepost 73.1, stay right to get on the Dalton Highway.

Short History of Dalton Highway

Discovery of Oil in the north of Alaska

In 1968, oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope of Alaska, on the coast of the Arctic Ocean. It was a significant discovery that initiated the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. However, the weather conditions in the remote Arctic regions, the harsh land, and the mountains made this project a major challenge.

Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and Haul Road

Construction of the road began on April 29, 1974, and was completed five months later, an impressive feat given the length of the highway and rugged terrain through the mountains and Arctic. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was completed in three years – 1974 -1977. It’s a pipeline that follows parallel to the entire Dalton Highway and then keeps going to the south to the Valdez Harbor. From the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Alaska.

The Dalton Highway was built as a transportation route between the Yukon River and Prudhoe Bay during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. It was initially called the North Slope Haul Road. According to the BLM, everything that supported oil production was “hauled” to its final destination on tractor-trailer rings.

Trans-Alaska Pipeline system on Dalton Highway.

Who was James W. Dalton?

In 1981 State of Alaska changed the name of the route from North Slope Haul Road to Dalton Highway. The highway is named for James William Dalton, an Alaskan engineer who was involved in early oil exploration on the North Slope. He also supervised the construction of the Distant Early Warning Line in Alaska.

Public access to Dalton Highway

In 1994, the road was allowed public access. Driving Dalton is a huge challenge. The route is tough, and it is traversed by huge, fast trucks. Since 1994, you can reach Deadhorse.

The Dalton Highway doesn’t lead you to the Arctic Ocean. However, looking at the map, you might think you have reached it. The road is closed for public access 8 miles (13 km) before the coast. The only way to get to the Arctic Ocean is by taking a shuttle (below for more details) from Deadhorse to the shore.

Only one road in America can be used to reach the Arctic Ocean by car. It is the Dempster Highway in Canada, leading to Tuktoyaktuk, which we also drove a few years ago.

The Popularity of the World’s Most Dangerous Roads

Dalton Highway is considered to be one of the most dangerous and isolated roads on the planet. It was the subject of the first episode of the BBC’s World’s Most Dangerous Roads series. This road and, most of all, the Dalton Highway truck drivers were also the topics of the series America’s Toughest Jobs and Ice Road Truckers, a reality television series.

Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

Dalton Highway Road Conditions

Why is the Dalton Highway so dangerous?

Dalton Highway road conditions are extremely hazardous. There are a lot of dangerous roads in the world. But the danger on the Dalton Highway is influenced by many factors, natural and human. You cannot predict many of them. For current road conditions check the website 511.alaska.gov

No facilities and limited services

  • No medical facilities (public or emergency) along the Dalton Highway exist. In case of an accident, you cannot count on medical assistance.
  • It’s a 414-mile road with no stores or groceries, no car repair services, and no banks.
  • It’s a road with limited phone coverage and limited internet access (actually, there was no internet during most of our travel. In our article – Dalton Highway Safety Tips, we provide details about coverage).
  • There are limited potable water points along the route.
  • Also, there is a limited number of gas stations (there are only three places on the entire Dalton Highway where you can tank). You must be prepared to be self-sufficient in everything and also equip your car to be self-sufficient.
  • The highway does not have exits, making it very hard for drivers to access emergency services in case of an accident.
  • Also, there are no public services at the Department of Transportation maintenance stations or Alyeska Pipeline Service Company pump stations.
Agnes and Chris on Dalton Highway.
Agnes in Coldoot on Dalton Highway.

The road surface

  • The surface of Dalton Highway is very uneven. There is a lot of gravel, pebbles, and sharp rocks.
  • There are many holes and bumps, bends, slopes, steep hills, and high embankments.
  • Also, there are quite a few steep grades (up to 12%-16%) along the route, as well.
  • The road is narrow and has soft shoulders. There is a limited possibility of stopping or driving on the side of the road in an emergency, as there is no space on the road for stopping.
  • Visibility on the road is often reduced due to bad weather or due to dust behind the trucks. It’s easy to miss a hole in the road
Trans-Alaska Pipeline
Dalton Highway

Unpredictable weather and sudden weather changes

  • The weather can change in minutes, making your driving dangerous or impossible. We experienced sun, rain, snow, slick mud, fog, and frost. And all this at the beginning of August. You must be prepared for all road conditions (no matter what the weather forecast is). Winter is much worse, and BLM does not recommend winter travel.
  • Snow, and ice, and temperature drops are standard even in summer, especially on the North Slope, Brooks Range, and Atigun Pass.
  • Local flash floods (especially after heavy rains in summer) and wildfires are also threats while driving Dalton Highway.

Hundreds of oversized trucks

  • Hundreds of giant oversized trucks travel this route every day. We have never crossed the route on which we met so many trucks. This forces the driver to be extremely careful. Big trucks and road maintenance equipment have the right of way. Trucks have a very long distance. There is no possibility of slowing on the road to take pictures or stopping on the road for photos. You must drive all the time at the proper speed.
  • Small pebbles and gravel from the tires of heavy and oversized trucks can damage your windshield. So please read our safety tips for driving the Dalton Highway, too.
  • Behind the trucks, there is also a lot of dust or mud that can significantly reduce your visibility or even blind you.

Wildlife on Dalton

  • The road is full of wildlife. At any time, wild animals, a herd of caribou, moose, bear, or coyote, may jump on the road. At any time, wild animals, a herd of caribou, moose, bear, or coyote, may jump on the road. Wild animals are also a threat during camping. So read our Dalton Highway Camping tips to find out how to be safe in a bear country, how to avoid contact with wild animals, not approach them, and respect them.

Is Dalton Highway paved?

Much of the Dalton Highway is unpaved. The Road Surface is 25% paved and 75% gravel. If you plan this trip, make sure to bring two spare tires. A mile-by-mile description of which parts are gravel and which sections you need to be especially careful with ruts, dangerous shoulder bends, or slopes you will find at Milepost Alaska Map.

Dalton Highway

8 rules for Dalton Highway

The BLM provides 8 basic rules you must follow while driving the Dalton Highway. The rules on the Dalton are:

  • big trucks and road maintenance crews have the right of way,
  • always drive with your headlights on,
  • keep your headlights and taillights clean so they are clearly visible,
  • stay on the right side of the road,
  • do not stop on bridges, hills, or curves,
  • check your rearview mirror regularly,
  • if you see wildlife, pull over in a safe place before stopping,
  • slow down when passing other vehicles (especially bicyclists and motorcyclists) to reduce the risk of getting hit with mud or flying rocks from your tires.

The Best Dalton Highway Map

The Milepost

One of the best sources which describe the Dalton Highway mile by mile is Milepost. We have been using it for years while traveling in Alaska and Canada. It is over 700 pages, so it is worth buying the electronic version and downloading the mobile version to the phone before your adventure.

But it’s required to purchase a paper version to get access to the mobile version. Now is available the newest edition, The MILEPOST 2024. With the pre-order price is guaranteed.

The BLM map and guide

Another great source of knowledge about the Dalton Highway is the free maps available for download from the BLM website. BLM manages the public lands along the route from the Yukon River to the north side of the Brooks Range. The map has two parts: a georeferenced PDF Map of the Dalton Highway Corridor – Fairbanks to Coldfoot.

The second part is from Coldfoot to Deadhorse. The map includes attractions, viewpoints, wildlife refuges, hiking trails, milestones, streams and rivers, restrooms, gas stations, lodging, campgrounds, and other points of interest to travelers on Dalton Highway. You can also download a free PDF guide with a lot of useful information about traveling on the Dalton Highway.

Dalton Highway Car Rental

Renting a car to drive the Dalton Highway is not so easy. Most rental companies do not allow access to the Dalton Highway. It is an industrial road in poor condition, built to facilitate the pipeline’s construction. Truckers mainly use it in oversized trucks carrying supplies to oilfield workers at the Deadhorse camp on Prudhoe Bay.

And the drive through Dalton is tough. It’s graveled chiefly roads, steep and slippery in places and muddy in others. There are many trucks, and it happens that a stone thrown from under the truck tire will damage the windshield.

When renting a car for Dalton Highway, you must mention it with the rental company, as driving gravel roads requires additional car equipment and insurance. You can rent a car for Dalton Highway in Fairbanks from:

Before our trip, we thoroughly researched all car rental companies for the Dalton Highway and checked their terms and prices. We decided to rent a car from Alaska Auto Rental, which worked out great. We got a good car, well prepared for this route, and the service was on the highest level.

Best Time to Drive the Dalton Highway

Dalton Highway is open to the public, and it’s open year-round. But it’s a rough and challenging road, with no amenities and almost no services, so you must prepare excellently for this adventure. There is no public access to the Arctic Ocean from Prudhoe Bay. You must purchase an authorized shuttle. Summer months are the best for this challenging drive.

Can you drive the Dalton Highway in the Summer?

You can drive Haul Road in the summer. We made our road trip at the beginning of August. And on this route, we experienced all seasons of the year. We experienced sun, rain, snow, first frosts, storms, and fog. And all this in just ten days of travel. Road conditions varied from very good to extremely hard. However, summer is the best time for driving on Dalton Highway. The temperatures are pleasant, nature delights with its diversity, and you can observe many wild animals and birds.

Agnes and Chris on Arctic Ocean on Dalton Highway.
Chris camping on Dalton Highway.

In late May, thousands of birds are migrating, so if you are interested in bird watching, choose this month. But be prepared for harsh conditions, as there is still a lot of snow on the route.

June and July are the days of the blooming of wildflowers and caribou migration. June and July are also drier months, but rainy days are frequent throughout the summer. In July and August, it is also easy to encounter bears, moose, squirrels, or musk-ox.

From mid-August, you have the chance to see the Aurora Borealis. Autumn colors also begin in mid-August. You can admire fall colors until the end of September. Unless winter starts at the end of August and the first snow falls.

Driving the Dalton Highway.

Weather and Temperatures on Dalton Highway Alaska in Summer

In August 2022, we experienced almost all seasons on Dalton and nearly all road conditions. We had completely different weather forecasts. Therefore, regardless of the weather forecast, you must be prepared for all situations: rain, snow, fog, mud, wind, and ice. Everything is possible on Dalton Highway.

On the hottest day during our Dalton trip, we had 68°F (20°C). Mornings were cool, around 41-45°F ( 5-7°C). The average temperature during the day was 59-65°F (15-18°C). Our coldest and windiest morning was in Deadhorse when we drove with an authorized tour to the Arctic Ocean to 34°F (1°C). There was also a frost at the Atigun Pass the night before our trip to the Arctic Ocean at 30,2°F (-1°C).

In Deadhorse, at Prudhoe Bay, average summer temperatures are in the 30s and 40s°F (0-5°C). Average temperatures south of the Brooks Range and in Coldfoot during Summer are 50s°F (10-15°C).   

weather on Dalton.
weather on Dalton.

Summer Solstice

Summer is also a great time to visit as the sun hardly ever sets. It is a very long day. Summer solstice at the Arctic Circle is fantastic, as the sun doesn’t set! This is the place where the sun doesn’t set on sum­mer sol­stice and doesn’t rise on win­ter sol­stice.

From 21 of June, the day is very long. During our trip in August, even at 1 am was bright, and the visibility was excellent. So traveling between June 21 and mid-August is perfect as you have long days. The summer solstice also makes spending the night in this wilderness and emptiness easier.

Can you drive the Dalton Highway in Alaska in Winter?

BLM does not advise travel between October and April. But the Dalton Highway remains open in winter. However, winter driving conditions are hazardous. Moreover, winter temperatures are extremely low, dropping even -70°F (-57°C).

The coldest temperature ever recorded in the United States was -80°F (-62°C) at Prospect Camp, 39 miles south of Coldfoot, in 1971. On January 28, 2012, an unofficial temperature of -79°F (-62°C) was recorded at the nearby Jim River Maintenance Station. Then the weather station battery died.

Snow, frost, and powerful winds can make it impossible to travel. The road surface and conditions can be extremely dangerous. In winter, this route is still traversed by huge trucks delivering supplies to the Deadhorse and oilfields. They cannot slow down in time if you suddenly stop on the road.

We experienced terrible weather on this route in summer for two days, and we know how difficult it can be to drive. So, we do not recommend a winter trip. Of course, some daredevils have traveled this route in winter. But because we made this trip in the summer, we give you only tips for summer adventure based on our experiences.

driving the Dalton Highway.

How Long Does it Take to Drive the Dalton Highway?

It all depends on the weather, conditions on the road, and what goals you have. Do you just want to drive this route? Or do you also want to experience this one of the world’s most lonely and distant roads? We spent 10 days on Dalton Highway to experience its beauty and wildness and get to know the attractions. Our goal was also to see the Gates of the Arctic National Park.

But we know that not everyone has so much time, so we have prepared a 7-day Dalton Highway itinerary, day after day, with the most exciting attractions and things to do along the way.

We think the minimum time you should reserve for the roundtrip safe drive on Dalton Highway is at least four days. Assuming that the weather will be good and favorable to the drive. If you don’t have that much time, consider a drive to the Arctic Circle only as a one-day trip from Fairbanks.

Or consider an organized trip with an experienced driver and guide from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle or from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. Another option to see Dalton Highway is the scenic flight from Fairbanks. If you want to reach only the Arctic Circle, which is a great adventure, check out the best Arctic Circle trip from Fairbanks.

The approximate driving time from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay without stops

  • Yukon River – 3 hours
  • Arctic Circle – 5 hours
  • Coldfoot – 6 hours
  • Antigun Pass – 8 hours
  • Deadhorse – 14 hours

Dalton Highway Gas Stations

Driving the Dalton Highway is a challenge not only because of the difficult driving conditions. One of the biggest problems on this route is access to gasoline. As there is no easy access. There are only three places with gas stations on the entire Dalton Highway where you can refuel.

In addition, it will be the most expensive gasoline in the United States! You will travel 414 miles one way along the pipeline that transports over 700,000 barrels of oil per day, but there are only three fuel stops. What’s more, you will pay at least $3 more per gallon than the national average. Include this carefully in your budget for Dalton Highway.

It’s a good idea to pack an extra tank with fuel. Also, before you leave Fairbanks, refuel the tank and then fill it up to full at each station. Hilltop Truck Stop in Fox is the last gas station when you leave the Fairbanks area. It’s located on Elliot Highway, 16 miles north of Fairbanks.

There are only three places with gas stations along the Dalton Highway

  • Yukon River Crossing (Mile 56; only open from Mid-May to Mid-September)
  • Coldfoot which offers excellent outdoor activities (Mile 175)
  • Deadhorse (Mile 414; gasoline is available from three stations).

Dalton Highway Camping & Lodging

Another topic you need to consider when planning your trip through the Dalton Highway is accommodation. This is an adventure for people who like challenges and do not mind the lack of amenities, warm water, or a comfortable bed. There are only a few places on the route where you can stay overnight.

Lodges on Dalton Highway, Alaska

If you dream about a comfy and soft bed along the way, you don’t have too many choices. First, you must book your room months in advance, and secondly, the prices are pretty high in this remote area. And don’t expect a high standard.
You will find lodges at Yukon River Camp, Inn at Coldfoot Camp, and the charming Arctic town of Wiseman (Arctic Getaway and Boreal Lodging). Few hotels you will find in Deadhorse at Prudhoe Bay.

Deadhorse
Deadhorse

Campgrounds on Dalton Highway, Alaska

If you are traveling in an RV or planning to sleep in a tent (as we did), you can stop at four campgrounds managed by BLM. There are no electricity and no bathrooms with showers. They only have vault toilets, and 3 have potable water—more details and photos can be found in our article Dalton Highway Camping.

  • Five Mile Campground – at Milepost 60
  • Arctic Circle Campground – at Milepost 115
  • Marion Creek Campground – at Milepost 180 (5 miles north of Coldfoot)
  • Galbraith Lake Campground – at Milepost 275

Camping on Public Lands

You can also pitch your tent or park your RV on public lands managed by BLM. However, as long as you stop at a safe distance from the road without endangering the traffic on the road or obstructing it.

It would be best to park well off the road, as passing vehicles can fling rocks more than 30 feet (9 m) off the highway. And you can’t block access roads to the pipeline. It’s not allowed to stop on the access roads. Camping is limited to 14 days at any one spot.

Honestly? On this route, finding a comfortable and safe place to stay outside designated areas is difficult. More details can be read in the article about camping on Dalton Highway.

PRO TIP: Whichever type of accommodation you choose, be sure to follow the Leave No Trace rules. Respect nature, respect wildlife, respect the rules on the road, and always take all the trash with you.

Agnes drinking coffee in a tent on camping at Dalton Highway.
Chris making a campfire on Dalton Highway.

Pit Stops along the Dalton Highway, Alaska

A separate article is written about activities, best pit stops, and places worth seeing on the Dalton Highway. Here, to make planning your travel more manageable, we will mention that you have a few places on the route between Fairbanks and Deadhorse where you will meet people and find some services.

  • At milepost 56 is Yukon River Camp. It’s 137 miles north of Fairbanks. Yukon River offers gas, a cafe, and limited lodging. It’s open only from mid-May to mid-September.
  • At milepost 175 is Coldfoot Camp. We love this place. It’s 256 miles north of Fairbanks, with gas, a cafe with great food, and a motel. Here, you can also take a scenic flight over the Brooks Range or a trip to the Gates of the Arctic National Park. It’s also where you can find the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center, where you can learn much about the area. Plan some activities in Coldfoot Camp.
  • At milepost 186 is the turnoff for Wiseman. It’s a fantastic, charming village from the Gold Rush times—pictures and details we put in this separate post about the remote Arctic town of Wiseman. But you won’t find any services here except for two lodges.
  • At milepost 414 is Deadhorse, which is “company town,” is amid the Prudhoe Bay oilfield and boasts a non-permanent population of 2,000-3,000 employees of the various oil operations. The Dalton Highway ends just a few miles before the Arctic Ocean, and only private, restricted roads extend to the ocean. You will find three gas stations, some lodgings, one store, and some hotel restaurants.
deadhorse

Dalton Highway Tours

If you do not want to set off on the Dalton Highway on your own but dream of crossing the Arctic Circle and seeing at least a piece of this highly picturesque route, consider one of the following organized tours.

Arctic Circle Full-Day Guided Trip from Fairbanks

During this one-day guided trip, you will step across the Arctic Circle, see the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline, and discover the Yukon River and Finger Mountain.

Please enter the date of the planned trip and the number of participants below to check its availability and price.

Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Tour from Fairbanks

If you plan to visit Alaska during the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) season, you can go on a Northern Lights and Arctic Circle trip from Fairbanks, where you will cross the Arctic Circle on Dalton Highway. But no tour operator can guarantee you will see the Northern Lights. It’s the magic of nature; it depends on many factors.

You can spend even a week or two in a season and not see it, and maybe one night is enough, and the Northern Lights will dance in the sky for you. Enter your trip date to check its availability and price. Aurora Season in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. But it happens that the Aurora can already be seen in mid-August.

Wildlife and Activities along the Dalton Highway, Alaska

The Dalton Highway is not just a road. This route allows you to admire nature and landscapes, observe wildlife, and do numerous activities. You can go hiking, fishing, backpacking, or kayaking. You can take a scenic flight over the Brooks Range, the Gates of the Arctic National Park, and more.

There are a lot of activities, so we have prepared a separate article about them with a detailed description. We also provide details on safety, especially regarding the bears’ encounter. One of the great stops along the road is the Visitor Center in Coldfoot.

Points of Interests along the Dalton Highway, Alaska

Below, we present a list of the most exciting points of interest along the Dalton Highway with the milepost (MP) on which it is located. It is worth stopping by them. Driving the Dalton Highway in Alaska is full of unique places.

  • MP 0 – The beginning of the Dalton Highway. Reset the counter here so as not to miss the exciting places along the route. For the next 414 miles, you may have little or no internet access.
  • MP 56 – Yukon River Crossing
  • MP 60 – Five Mile Campground
  • MP 98 – Finger Mountain
  • MP 115 – Arctic Circle sign
  • MP 132 – Gobblers Knob
  • MP 150 – Grayling Lake Wayside
  • MP 175 – Coldfoot Camp
  • MP 180 – Marion Creek Campground
Chris on Dalton Highway in Deadhorse.
Agnes hiking in Gates of the Arctic National Park.
  • MP 189 – Wiseman
  • MP 204 – Sukakpak Mountain
  • MP 237 – Chandalar Shelf
  • MP 244 – Atigun Pass (elev. 4,739 feet / 1422 m)
  • MP 275 – Galbraith Lake Campground
  • MP 284 – Toolik Lake
  • MP 300 – Slope Mountain
  • MP 334 – Happy Valley
  • MP 348 – Sag River Overlook
  • MP 383 – Franklin Bluffs
  • MP 414 – Deadhorse and Prudhoe Bay
driving the dalton highway

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16 Comments

  1. Wow, this is one of the best and most comprehensive travel blogs I have ever come across. Having traveled all 7 continents and lived abroad, this blog contains everything one could need to plan a journey on the Dalton Highway! My family and I plan on doing a single day trip to the Arctic Circle and back to Fairbanks this coming June, and the information here made me realize how remote the haul is and how much one needs to prepare for even a one day journey. Thank you!

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that our guide to the Dalton Highway has been so helpful in planning your adventure. It’s great that you’re taking the family on this unique journey to the Arctic Circle. June is a fantastic time to travel, with the midnight sun offering extended daylight for your trip.
      Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further tips. Happy travel!

      1. Planning trip up Dalton may 14 2024 have been looking at some or ur post just checking out things of interest. What may interest some don’t faze others but what u cover seems to take in all points thanks. Still more to c.

        1. Thank you for your lovely comment. Dalton Highway is a great adventure! Be careful; the weather can be very changeable this time of year, and the road can be tricky, especially on the Atigun Pass. Have a happy and safe journey!

  2. How is Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to the Artic Circle? Is it paved most of the way?
    We were hoping to rent a car and drive it ourselves. We are country folks from Iowa and we have experience on gravel roads. Just was worried about how much of it is actually paved. Thanks.

    1. Thank you for your comment, Carol. From Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle sign, it’s 195 miles and about a 5-6 hour drive without stops. Of course, driving time may be significantly longer in bad weather. Dalton Highway begins 84 miles north of Fairbanks. And at this point, it’s a gravel road. So you have 110 miles to ride on gravel. As we wrote in the article, most rental companies prohibit driving on this road. So check carefully whether you can drive on this road with your rental car. In the article, I list rental companies that allow driving on this route. We had a car from Alaska Auto Rental in Fairbanks. When renting a car, you must indicate that you want to drive on this road. Have a great trip!

  3. Hi there. Thank you so much for this website and comprehensive guide to driving The Dalton Highway. We fly into Fairbanks on June 15 and will be heading onto The Dalton Highway on June 17. Per your recommendation, we are renting a Chevy Tahoe through Alaska Auto Rental (thank you) for our journey. We will be spending two nights at Coldfoot Camp on the 17th and 18th. On the 19th, we will head back onto the highway until we reach Deadhorse. We will stay at Deadhorse Camp on the 19th and wake up to greet the Summer Solstice on the 20th. We will take the shuttle to the Arctic Ocean on that day. Upon returning, we will prepare for our journey back south. We will stay one night at Coldfoot Camp on the 20th and then head back to Fairbanks for our final two nights.

    Since we will be there for a couple of days, are there any must-do and must-see around Coldfoot and Wiseman?

    And I noticed you listed several Mile Posts for stopping at. Do you have recommendations for what to do at each of those posts?

    Thank you again for sharing your experiences with us! 🌺🙏🌈

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and for choosing to follow our guide for your Dalton Highway adventure. It sounds like you have an exciting trip planned!

      Sorry for the late reply, as we are currently on an Alaska road trip and had limited access to the internet while enjoying the wildlife and hiking.

      Must-Do and Must-See in Coldfoot and Wiseman
      While you’re in Coldfoot, consider the following activities:
      Arctic Interagency Visitor Center: This is a great place to start. You’ll find exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area and can get current road and weather conditions.
      Flightseeing Tours: Take a flightseeing tour over the Brooks Range for incredible views of the rugged Alaskan landscape.
      Coldfoot Camp Services: Enjoy hearty meals and chat with fellow travelers at Coldfoot Camp. It’s a great place to hear stories and gather tips for the road ahead.
      In Wiseman, just 13 miles north of Coldfoot:
      Take a walk, a historic gold mining town with fascinating stories from the early 1900s.
      Wildlife Viewing: The area around Wiseman is great for spotting wildlife such as moose, caribou, and even bears.
      We also have detailed articles about Wiseman and Coldfoot where you can find more inspiration and photos. Be sure to check them out!

  4. The Dalton Highway looks like an incredible adventure! Even in the summer, it seems quite chilly, but I guess, that adds to the experience. I’ll save this post for a future trip—thanks for sharing!

  5. Hi,
    I have read this and many other your articles about Alaska, they are very helpful. Thank you very much for writing and sharing them.
    I am thinking of driving the Dalton highway from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle and back to Fairbanks in one day in mid of Sept. Is that doable? or better just go to Yukon River?

    1. Thank you so much for reading my articles—I’m glad they’ve been helpful! Yes, driving the Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle and back in one day is doable. Many tour operators actually offer it as a long day trip.
      Keep in mind though, it’s at least 4.5 hours one way with no stops, so you’ll need to start very early in the morning. Also, not every rental company allows driving the Dalton, so double-check your rental agreement—sometimes it’s actually more affordable (and less stressful) to join a guided tour.
      Some companies even run it as a night aurora borealis tour, since in September you have a chance to see the Northern Lights. That said, you’ll be driving on gravel in remote areas, often after dark, so only attempt it on your own if you’re a confident driver in those conditions.
      If you’d prefer something shorter and less demanding, the Yukon River is a good option too.

      1. Thank you so much for a quick reply, I really appreciate it. If I just drive to Yukon River, do I get a taste of the Dalton highway? Do I miss much if I don’t drive to The Arctic Circle? Anything in between these two stops that is a must see?
        Do you have an article about Denali Highway? I plan to do a day trip from Fairbanks to Cantwell, Paxson, Fairbanks in one day, is it too much? If I can only do half of the highway, which end is better?
        I am going there in mid of Sept. and hoping to see fall colors, is it too late?
        I have a rental car that allows on gravel roads.
        Thank you!

        1. You’re very welcome! My article about the Denali Highway is still on my to-do list, but your question just motivated me—I’ll do my best to have it published by the end of the month. 😊 The Denali Highway is absolutely incredible, honestly the most beautiful drive in Alaska. In my opinion, it’s even more stunning than the Dalton—especially if you’re only going to do the Dalton as far as the Yukon River.
          That said, the full loop Fairbanks–Cantwell–Paxson–Fairbanks is almost 460 miles and about 10 hours of driving without stops. In September, with shorter daylight, it’s really too much for one day. I would strongly suggest splitting it into 2 days so you can truly enjoy the scenery.
          If you only have time for half, my pick is the section closer to Cantwell, though some people prefer the other side. Driving from Paxson to Cantwell also feels like the better direction to me. Mid-September should still give you great fall colors.

          1. Thank you! I split the Denali highway trip and plan to stay somewhere near Paxson for 1 night. Your articles are the best ones for traveling in Alaska.

  6. Hi!
    Your articles are very informative and have been helpful in my trip planning. I just decided last minute to embark on a solo trip to Alaska. I will be flying from Pittsburgh, PA to Fairbanks at the beginning of September and renting a 4×4 pickup from Alaska Auto Rentals to drive the Dalton to Deadhorse and back. I will be overnighting in Wiseman on the way up and in Coldfoot on the way back. Once back in Fairbanks, I will be flying to Anchorage to finish out my trip exploring southcentral Alaska.

    1. Thank you! That sounds like an incredible adventure—you’ve planned a true Alaskan road trip! Driving the Dalton Highway all the way to Deadhorse is such a bucket-list experience, and overnighting in Wiseman and Coldfoot will give you a real taste of life along the road. Great choice with Alaska Auto Rentals! Wishing you an unforgettable trip!

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