Drive to Alaska| RV / camper | Car + hotels | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Much higher, shorter range | Lower, longer range |
| Lodging | Campgrounds, cheaper per night | Hotels, which can be few and pricey up north |
| Kids | Naps, bathroom and kitchen on board | More stops, more restaurants |
| Roads | Frost heaves and gravel are hard on rigs | Easier, but still bring a full spare |
Use the planner with your own mpg to see the fuel difference.
Mitchell's tip We drove an F-350 diesel pulling a trailer. The gravel and rocks the truck kicked up left marks on the front of the trailer that I could never get off. If you tow, put a cover or guard on the front of the trailer before you go.
Gear we were glad we had
- Tools for basic repairs. Mitchell's tip I carried tools for basic repairs. Part of it was worry about being taken advantage of in another country when you are desperate. I wanted to be able to handle the simple stuff myself.
- A front guard or cover for the trailer. It protects the trailer from rock and gravel kicked up by your own truck.
Renting instead
Many families fly to Anchorage and rent an RV there instead. We will cover fly and drive trips in later guides.
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