There is a park out back perfect for kids. We even avoided putting any OCONUS destinations such as Barbers Point, Hawaii, on my husband’s dream sheet. With nearly 60 years of combined Behind The Wheel experience in the Oil Field and Construction industry. Where to stay? Again nice and clean with good food, nothing exotic. Pricing includes a road exam. American Driving through Canada to Alaska Facing $569,000 Fine for Stopping to Sightsee. The Alaska Highway, also known as the Alaskan Highway or the Alcan Highway, is the 2,224 Km/1382 mile road that connects Dawson Creek, BC in Canada to Delta Junction, Alaska. Finally, I should have said this first. Tour Alaska On Your Own: Driving Its National Parks By Kris Capps. Ask your sponsor to mail you one. Definitely ask for the largest room you can get. Share. Although we’d paid for international data, the Alcan is so remote there is not much service there. Alaska is home to 23 national parks. The summers help make up for the long winters, so make the most of them. I hope everyone is practicing Social Distancing and staying safe from the COVID-19 lol. Tap to unmute. For the adventurous, the Alaska Highway offers one of the most exciting routes north. Before you hit the road you want to make sure your vehicle is ready to take on driving to Alaska and that the car is packed with these 12 essential items. Info. Our was but one of many ways to get here. When members elect to travel to their new duty station by POC (auto), they are entitled to receive a mileage allowance, in lieu of cost of airline ticket. In Tok we Stayed at Fast Eddy’s Motel and restaurant. We didn’t want the Coast Guard to see that we’d be willing to go “overseas” and send us to Alaska instead. The Denali Highway stretches 135 miles from Paxson to Cantwell, connecting the Richardson and Parks highways. Others feel more comfortable with snow tires or studded tires. Driving the "Haul Road" to Deadhorse, Alaska By Eric Hulteen Edited on Saturday 15 August 2020 This document includes text and pictures describing a drive from Eagle River, Alaska to Deadhorse, Alaska and back by way of the Alaska Pipeline "haul road" between May 22 and May 26, 1998. ANY vehicle is capable of making the drive to Alaska. Websites such as Orbitz will say when a hotel is pet-friendly, but many of these hotels have specified rooms allocated for visitors with pets. My wife is a permanent resident with a … The reimbursement rate depends on the number of authorized travelers in the vehicle. Amount available to the Service member for POV transportation: $5,238.00 - $4,407.00 . Copy link. Bring a credit card as many gas … Driving Land Tours in Alaska The Alaska Highway is the adventurer's Yellow Brick Road, winding its way through a fairyland of rugged mountains and pristine lakes to the treasures of central Alaska. Explore! I knew Kodiak was a strong possibility due to the airframe my husband works on, but we had wanted to avoid it. The stunning scenery in Alaska makes campgrounds and RV parks an attractive option for tourists and locals alike, not to mention affordability. If you’re going to take the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System, it’s a good idea to book this well in advance. The Alaska Highway officially begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. For any distance greater than 400 miles, the traveler is allowed another day of travel for every additional 350 miles. The earlier you get this done, the better. Alaska, the last frontier. I was feeding our six-week-old daughter when my husband walked through the door. Plan your route and book hotels as early as possible. If you are flying directly to Alaska, you do not need a passport. The thought of making a trip to "The Last Frontier" scares many people, but all it takes to have fun is planning and caution. The summer months are an overwhelmingly popular time for vacationers to book trips to Alaska and the ferry fills up well in advance. Though only open in the summer months, this 79 mile gravel-road has some spectacular views of the Alaska Range, and can take you on your way to Dawson City in the Yukon. “I came home to tell you I got orders to Kodiak today.”. A Service member’s PCS order typically remains in effect until receipt of a new PCS order. And no wonder there are questions: The Alaska Highway traverses a vast wilderness in a remote expanse of North America, from Mile 0 at Dawson Creek, BC, to Delta Junction, AK, at Historical Mile 1422, official end of the Alaska Highway (which is 96 driving miles from Fairbanks, the unofficial end of the highway at Historical Mile 1523). Storage is super expensive here and if you’re in military housing, you may not have a basement to use as storage. If you have a vehicle, this option is a cost-effective way to transport it, and you won’t have to worry about international travel if you take a ferry from Seattle . Elmendorf is fanatical about no pets. In the winter a lot of places are closed, so plan ahead. Alaska Pics - Driving the Dalton Highway (Haul Road) Driving to the Arctic Ocean via the Dalton Highway is an incredible experience - It may just be the coolest thing we did while in Alaska! Sight-see, enjoy the local food, and bring a camera. You’re ready to visit Yukon from Alaska, or you’re headed there from “outside” (what Alaskan residents call the lower 48 states). This was a lifesaver for those long days in the car. Driving The ALCAN Highway in an RV. It was too late for him to be home for lunch, so I figured he’d gotten cut early. I am driving through Canada to get to Alaska from Nevada in a few months. Passports & International Travel Website. It takes several weeks from when you apply to when you are actually issued the passport (at least up here), so plan well ahead. Book your ferry early. Bring a camera an lots of film. Often referred to as the Alcan (Alaska-Canada) Highway, the Alaska Highway weaves nearly 1,400 miles northwest from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Delta Junction, Alaska. A great way to experience Alaska and Canada and I definitely recommend an RV for this trip.Plan ahead, make reservations, accommodations are somewhat limited and you need to be sure you have a place to stay each night. You should know these 16 things before driving to Alaska: During the summer, you should come across gas stations, food options, and accommodations about every 20 to 50 miles. Yes, one can drive from Utah to Alaska. Enjoy straightforward pricing and simple licensing. Standard rate is $.19/mile if PCS - effective date 1 Jan 17. Plan your trip and get the fastest route taking into account current traffic conditions. MAKE CERTAIN YOU GET THE MILEPOST. Extra-Nice Canadians Saved this Army Wife's Disastrous PCS Drive to Alaska A Canadian police officer, Gary Bath, Lynn Marchessault, Marchessault’s two children and Staff Sgt. Im trying to get more information on what we will need to cross the border into canada when we PCS to Alaska. Official MapQuest website, find driving directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions. “You’re home early.” It was only 1400. I have young child and being able to get her out of the car seat for three days on the boat was great timing. Once you receive official orders, you can schedule movers, shipment of vehicle(s), and plan how you will travel to Alaska. I am in the military and have recieved orders to be stationed in Alaska and have been told by superiors all i will need to show at the border will be my Mil. Class D Driving Instruction Course. If DUIs/DWIs are found, service member must purchase a $95.00 Canadian travel permit to travel Canadian highways. Keep confirmation numbers and have all reservation confirmations emailed to you. 6. Driving the Alaska Canada Highway. There’s a lot that goes into these moves and can be quite overwhelming, but hopefully these tips will help make your OCONUS move to Alaska much easier! but you never know when you’ll lose service. (4) Soldiers planning to drive to and from Alaska should be advised Canadian Customs is conducting random computer checks of driving records. You don’t want to arrive to a hotel and have no room available for you because there all the pet-friendly rooms are full. Once you turn in your OCONUS paperwork, you’re able to receive official orders. This calculator only works for CONUS-CONUS PCS moves (Alaska included). Money wise I would tell you this. Once you turn in your OCONUS paperwork,... 2. If you spend the night in Haines when you get off the ferry you should be able to make it to Tok, AK the next day and into Anchorage the day after. www.sunrisesunset.com The Alaska Highway is a two lane road and does not resemble any of highways in TX. Don’t be too shy to ask for a military discount! Other guys in the 517th have enjoyed the driving the whole ALCAN. Alaska is unlike anywhere else in the United States. PCS to ALASKA. Driving to Alaska in a private car or RV offers the opportunity to linger along the way. Sarah Mariner has lived in Alaska since 1993 but drove home from the Lower 48 last week. As soon as you cross the border into Canada, you will no longer have US cell phone service. Driving to Alaska at that time of year is an entirely different beast. I met my husband when he was stationed in my hometown, so I was going to be leaving everyone and everything I’d ever known. If you’re driving through Canada, you will need a passport for everyone in your family. Fish for salmon, try the local king crab, hike, and check out the glaciers if you can. My family drove through Canada on our way to Alaska, and we just used our regular passports. CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has confirmed Americans are permitted to travel through Canada by car if they’re heading to Alaska. Driving to Alaska in a private car or RV offers the opportunity to linger along the way. 12 PCS tips for moving to Alaska from a been-there-done-that milspouse 1. As the coronavirus crisis continues, the rules states have adopted to protect its citizens have been very fluid and change for a variety of reasons. We recently embarked on an epic Alaskan road trip driving from Milwaukee Wisconsin to Alaska in our DIY campervan. Subscribe to be notified about new issues Receive a monthly notice about new issues and articles. An OCONUS move is never easy, but like any other transfer, it is only temporary. Other guys in the 517th have enjoyed the driving the whole ALCAN. To reach “Mile Zero,” you can drive north on Highway 97 through British Columbia, or cruise through Alberta’s high prairie westward to Dawson Creek. A big downside, however, is the fact that many hotels and other services are closed for the season. There are a number of different options when driving through Canada between the contiguous United States or "Lower 48" and the Alaska Highway, which connects with Alaska.There are three main corridors which connect the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains regions of the United States, with a number of deviations and additional options depending on your point of origin. To earn extra cash stay the night in Bellingham before you get on the ferry. Calculate the difference between the actual shipping cost for one POV and the maximum reimbursement. There is no fee for a government passport, but it cannot be used for leisure travel. When we move back to the lower 48, we plan on making the most out of the trip. If you plan on bringing pet’s with you on your move, you will need to obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian within 10 days of your departure. Take your Alaska Defensive Driving course and exam online. When we arrived in Alaska in last July, the sun was setting around midnight. Watch later. Some people are highly tempted to drive from duty station to duty station to save money — military PCS moves can get expensive, after all. To determine the PCS travel order effective date, see JFTR, Appendix A, definition of EFFECTIVE DATE OF PCS ORDER. For those PCSing to Alaska I can tell you my experience was awesome taking the boat up the inside passage from Bellingham WA to Haines AK. I have driven to and from Alaska at least 6 times. It is old base housing and it makes the month or so you stay in it so much better. I am driving through Canada to get to Alaska from Nevada in a few months. Tips for vehicles in Alaska: An engine block heater is a must to fight off winter temperatures. Turn your paperwork in early. For Soldiers, your PCS orders must specifically authorize travel via the Alaska Highway if you wish to drive. The State of Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System offers year-round ferry service from Bellingham, WA to the port of Haines, a twelve hour drive from Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Many of them are remote and are only reachable by expensive air charter, but luckily, a few of the best ones are accessible by car. The Alaska Highway officially begins in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Download the best royalty free images from Shutterstock, including photos, vectors, and illustrations. Rent a car and travel independently on a set itinerary, with lodging and tours booked in advance. Microsoft Word - Alaska_Things_to_Know_Departing_20200420 Author: benjamin.j.harris2 Created Date: 4/20/2020 1:09:34 PM If you’ve gotten Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to a military base in Alaska, there are some special circumstances to consider. We will be driving. The ferry also departs from Bellingham, WA to the port of Whittier, two hours south of Anchorage. Additionally, if your dependents want to accompany you to Alaska, your PCS orders must say “concurrent travel” and each family member’s name must be listed on your orders. Driving Tours. And so I did the only thing that seemed to come natural during those trying days as a new mom: I cried. Prices are so much more expensive in Alaska. Approved by the Alaska DMV. The current rate information can be found on the website by clicking on ' Dislocation Allowance (DLA) ' under ‘Other Rates and Allowances’, and then selecting the applicable rate table OR IN JFTR, Chapter 5, Part G. The earlier you get this done, the better. and Stay in Haines the first night you get off the ferry in AK. The RVs of summer are gone and much of the traffic are trucks - who are not there for the scenery but to make miles. A three birth is acceptable but I saw the four birth and if you can get it its worth it. Driving From California to Alaska on a Budget. I really didn’t believe this until I saw it for myself. It was $70, It was the first Motel on the left as you pull into town coming off the ferry. The mountains and glaciers of the Alaska Range form a majestic backdrop, with miles of rolling tundra punctuated by shallow lakes in between. Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 101 Anchorage, AK 99503 Anchorage Area: 269-5551 Toll-Free in Alaska: (855)269-5551 It’s that time again. ID and a copy of orders and will not need the passport is only optional if i wanted to travel into Canada while in Alaska on leisure. The mission here is to deploy combat-ready forces to support joint military operations around the world. Subscribe to be notified about new issues Receive a monthly notice about new issues and articles. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game website offers some information about firearms in Alaska and traveling in Canada with guns. Welcome to Alaska. Buy these items and have them shipped with your household goods if you don’t have the room in your car. Though Alaska is part of the United States, the military considers it OCONUS (outside of the contiguous United States). For those PCSing to Alaska I can tell you my experience was awesome taking the boat up the inside passage from Bellingham WA to Haines AK. The Alcan officially begins in Dawson Creek, BC (about 835 miles from Great Falls, MT) and ends in Delta Junction, AK — 1,422 miles later. Marchessault and her two kids were making a permanent change of station move from Georgia to Fort Wainwright, Alaska when they encountered a winter … If you do this all you’ll have to do is show up with you orders and military ID and reservation# at the ticket window. Alcan Highway Map For some reason you will fill out extra paperwork for these places and get additional per diem of $100 plus per night. The military may also pay for a domestic car shipment when a service member is retiring. RVing in Alaska presents a unique set of circumstances and challenges and circumstances … Also, like most people, it was easier for us to use the GPS on our phones. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. :) Our New Beetle atop the Atigun Pass: Me atop the Atigun pass: Both cars just north of the Brooks Range: One to one driving lessons every day will give you teen the confidence they need to be safe behind the wheel. Remember Elmendorf is overseas so you are entitled to 60 days TLE/A whatever they are calling it now. Cons of Driving. When I did this, my husband told me I was wasting paper. One road I would not recommend if you not are an experienced winter driver is the Cassiar Highway, which is long and with very little resources. (The majority of hotels we stayed in offered some kind of military discount.) You can take any route or method of transportation, but keep Our Drivers Education course is a 16hr. . Browse below, our wide selection of Alaska self-driving tours as well as tours which combine trips on the Alaska Railroad with different driving routes. You can let the military take care of the arrangements, or you can handle a Personally Procured Move (PPM) yourself (what used to be known as a DITY move, or Do It Yourself move). State certified course and consists of 8 hrs of classroom instruction and 8 hrs of one-on-one, in car training. You’ve received your orders and it’s time to get ready for a permanent change of duty station (PCS).. You have two options. U.S. drivers are allowed across the border right now if they're headed to Alaska… Because you have no choice to accept the orders, the government is required to pay for the move. If those giant RVs pulling cars can make it on the roads, so can your car. Keep your receipts for these hotels and make sure the receipt has Bellingham and Haines on them. There is no magic formula. If you are driving to your new base but the government is moving all of your stuff for you, the HHG Weight box, Reimbursement for Movement of HHG box, and some of the expenses boxes will not be applicable. I was still home on maternity leave, super emotional and sleep-deprived. Whether you wanted to be stationed in Alaska or did not, make the best out of the situation. PCS stands for “Permanent Change of Station” move, and it applies when your service member’s new duty station is more than 50 miles away from his/her old duty station. See the JTR, par. $831.00 . Alaska Railroad vs Car Rental. Most post offices have passport applications and more information about this process. 16 Things to Know Before Driving to Alaska. But there’s a very good reason to ship your car versus driving … If you chose the boat make sure it says you are authorized the Alaska Marine Hwy (AMH) on your orders where the rental car info normally goes. You’re busy, so here’s the history of American female soldiers in 3 minutes, Here’s how to try container gardening in base housing, 12 Touching Photos That Show How Service Members Celebrate Hanukkah, The Sip: Time For Some Turkey, Gobble Gobble. This means no hassle with finance after the fact. As soon as my husband was close enough, I could read from his face that something was off. I am in the military and have recieved orders to be stationed in Alaska and have been told by superiors all i will need to show at the border will be my Mil. For TLF ask, No beg, for the two bedroom TLF. New Rules For Traveling To Alaska By Plane & By Driving Through Canada. If you are driving up, you will need one to get through Canada. There’s no perfect way to PCS and one size really doesn’t fit all. Even a sport utility vehicle with four studded tires can spin out if the driver encounters black ice or is not driving cautiously. The Truck Driving Division side of the academy has accumulated a team of Classroom and Behind The Wheel instructors unmatched in the state. The military does it’s best to make the military moving process as smooth as possible and luckily gives some options. The biggest benefit of driving the road this time of year is the lack of traffic and the cool temperatures. Driving Land Tours in Alaska The Alaska Highway is the adventurer's Yellow Brick Road, winding its way through a fairyland of rugged mountains and pristine lakes to the treasures of central Alaska. For PCS travel the Mileage Allowance In Lieu of Transportation (MALT) rate is … The scenery is breathtaking. Days are going to be very short and if you’re not familiar with the road I highly recommend driving only during daylight hours. I have young child and being able to get her out of … The Alaska Department of Fish and Game website offers some information about firearms in Alaska and traveling in Canada with guns. Its the size of a medium phone book and shows you all the place you can stay and numbers to call and see if they are open. Travel across the border is a fairly uncomplicated process, and Canadians are friendly and happy to have you visit. Are you looking to arrive closer or not wanting to drive through Canada? For Point Reduction students, we submit your completion to the DMV for you for FREE. While Kodiak doesn’t normally receive the amount of snow the rest of the state does, I was told by others to purchase snow tires in the lower 48 prior to moving as well.