 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / July 2006fastest route from Anchorage to Chicago
My mother (70 years old) is in the process of taking the trip of a lifetime...she drove from the Midwest US to Alaska. She was part of a caravan of 15 small travel trailers that met near the Black Hills and drove to Alaska via Banff, Dawson Creek and Tok to Fairbanks. She is now spending 3 weeks in Alaska traveling with grandchildren. (I have been flying my two kids up and back to spend time with her). It's the trip of a lifetime for both them and her. Here is my question and I really appreciate your help...... The trip up there was a lot more tiring than she expected. I sent up my 18 year old and she ended up driving a lot as Mom rally got tired driving in the mountains. It obvious that she is not looking forward to the drive back. (They are not coming back as a caravan.) I have volunteered to fly up to Anchorage and will drive home to Illinois with her. I only have about 8-10 days off. I would love to see the scenery, but I have to get back as soon as I can. I have flown to Alaska many times and will return later so sightseeing is not a concern now. I realize the roads up there are not built for speed, but for those of you who have driven up there...what is the fastest way back to the US? Should I drive to Calgary and then south into the US, or more northerly into Edmonton then across the prairies to Minnesota? which route would you take out of Alaska east? Any suggestions would be most appreciated. I leave in about two weeks to pick her up. thanks again. Mike mnolan@purdue.edu : My mother (70 years old) is in the process of taking the trip of a : lifetime...she drove from the Midwest US to Alaska. She was part of a [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] : take out of Alaska east? Any suggestions would be most appreciated. I : leave in about two weeks to pick her up. I've never driven it, but I plugged it into Microsoft Streets & Trips for quickest route from Anchorage to Chicago. It shows Hwy 1(also shows as Hwy 97) to Bear Flat, BC, then Hwy 43 to Edmonton, Alberta, then Hwy 16 through Saskatoon to just west of Winnipeg, Manitoba, then south to US I-29 to Fargo, ND, then to I-94, I-90 and I-39 to Chicago 3,602 miles....whew! If you would like an image of the map, send me an email to bobged at hotmail.com > I've never driven it, but I plugged it into Microsoft Streets & > Trips [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > 3,602 miles....whew! I have driven it, the last trip in 2004. The route he told you is about as quick as you can get. The part he didn't tell you is, driving at speeds that are safe, you are looking at a minimum of 12 days driving time and that would be pushing it every day with no sight seeing whatsoever. That means you'll have to average 300 miles a day. Your mother should fly back because she'll never be able to stay in the seat that many miles a day for that many days without a break. It ain't gonna happen!! Traveling alone, you may be able to make it in 10 days, but I wouldn't bet the bank roll on it. Tom J : > I've never driven it, but I plugged it into Microsoft Streets & : > Trips [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] : ain't gonna happen!! Traveling alone, you may be able to make it in 10 : days, but I wouldn't bet the bank roll on it. The reason I didn't mention it, is the software didn't indicate that it would take 12 days. It indicated 8 days with average speed selected. Of course that is coming from a piece of software driving a car without towing anything. While I would always defer to some one that has actually driven the route, it sounds like the OP's Mom is okay driving except in the mountains. I would think with two people sharing the driving, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect to do 400 miles or so per day at safe speeds, but of course the final decision is up to the OP and his Mom. > I only have about 8-10 days off. I would love to see the scenery, but > I have to get back as soon as I can. I have flown to Alaska many times [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > mnolan@purdue.edu Mike, I drive between Alaska (North Pole to/from Kansas City Mo) on a regular basis. Four time in the last two years. The route given you is by far the most direct and quickest. Depending on the speed of the caravan, the trip from Anchorage to Chicago should take about 8-10 days. The roads are excellent speed in most places is dependant upon traffic, weather, and construction. Much as it is anywhere else in the U.S....One caution - be sure to have your passport to get back into the U.S. ... Good luck and a safe journey. Dave D Thanks for the input everybody...it's always nice to confirm with someone who has actually driven the route. I always bring my passport anymore.....it's the easiest form of identification. Thanks agaim Mike > > I only have about 8-10 days off. I would love to see the scenery, but > > I have to get back as soon as I can. I have flown to Alaska many times [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Dave D > Thanks for the input everybody...it's always nice to confirm with > someone who has actually driven the route. > > I always bring my passport anymore.....it's the easiest form of > identification. The passport is not required until 1/1/2007 and may not be required then. Tom J >> Thanks for the input everybody...it's always nice to confirm with >> someone who has actually driven the route. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Tom J The last time I went through, spring of this year, the U.S. Customs Official insisted upon a passport, Tom!. Drivers licenses, state ID cards are too easy to obtain according to them. So, you can try it without a passport but you shouldn't be too upset if they give you a hard time about any other form of ID. Dave D > "Tom J" <tomnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message >> The passport is not required until 1/1/2007 and may not be required >> then. Tom J > The last time I went through, spring of this year, the U.S. Customs > Official insisted upon a passport, Tom!. Drivers licenses, state ID > cards are too easy to obtain according to them. Dave, driver's licensee & state ID cards are not the proper documents for crossing the border. No wonder you were hassled. I carry a certified copy of my birth certificate and my wife carries a certified copy of her birth certificate AND a certified copy of the marriage license to show the name change. That is all that is legally required as of this year and that is all I will have when I get to the Canadian border in about 3 weeks. It will also be all I have when I get back to the US border in September. The rules HAVE NOT CHANGED in years and until they do, I'll have no problem crossing the border with what I have. Now, if you are foreign born, only have a drivers license or other photo ID, then your burden of proof will have to be different. Tom J >> "Tom J" <tomnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Tom J You misunderstand Tom, I was not hassled. I had my passport as did my wife. What I was saying was that the customs agent asked specifically for our passports. I had my military ID ready but the agent said that a passport was the certification that they (U.S. Customs) wanted to cross the border. I realize the validity of other forms of ID but that was irrelevant because the person that was going to let us cross the border wanted our passports. Finis. Dave D >You misunderstand Tom, I was not hassled. I had my passport as did my wife. >What I was saying was that the customs agent asked specifically for our [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >the person that was going to let us cross the border wanted our passports. >Finis. I always wonder what a birth certificate really proves. I have mine in the rig and have used it to cross the border and used it when I got my passport. But as I see it, all it proves is that a baby boy named Jon Griffin was born in Chicago 67 years ago. How does it prove that I was that baby boy? I've certainly changed since then. :-) Jon  Signature==================================================== Jon Griffin SKP 75680 FMCA F257439 Pahrump, NV Sundre, AB apply ROT13 to my address Vnz@enivatvqvbgf.arg ==================================================== : >You misunderstand Tom, I was not hassled. I had my passport as did my wife. : >What I was saying was that the customs agent asked specifically for our [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] : Jon Griffin was born in Chicago 67 years ago. How does it prove that : I was that baby boy? I've certainly changed since then. :-) I don't think you can get by showing only a birth certificate. We live in No. Idaho and travel into Canada frequently each year. My wife is Canadian, so we always seem to give the agents pause. I show a driver's license that puts a picture to my name with proof of US residency, and a certified copy of my birth certificate to prove citizenship. My wife shows her passport, and green card (re-entering US). My understanding is that next year I will be required to show a passport. > I always wonder what a birth certificate really proves. I have mine > in the rig and have used it to cross the border and used it when I got [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Jon Wait a few years.. You'll be back and babylike (ex drooling/diapers/no teeth), but you won't ever have skin like a babys again... :) >>>How does it prove that I was that baby boy? I've certainly changed since >>>then. :-)<<< I was born broke and naked and it has been down hill ever since. SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) Jon Wait a few years.. You'll be back and babylike (ex drooling/diapers/no teeth), but you won't ever have skin like a babys again... :) >>> "Tom J" <tomnews@earthlink.net> wrote in message >> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > >Dave D So he told you he wouldn't allow you to pass without a passport? SignatureFrank Tabor >"Tom J" <tomnews@earthlink.net> wrote: >> Thanks for the input everybody...it's always nice to confirm with >> someone who has actually driven the route. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >Tom J But proof of citizenship is required. A passport is certainly more convenient than carrying your birth certificate around with you. SignatureDD >> "Tom J" <tomnews@earthlink.net> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > But proof of citizenship is required. A passport is certainly more > convenient than carrying your birth certificate around with you. Passports have to be purchased on a regular basis. We have certified birth certificates & marriage license that have been in the trailer for more than 30 years at no extra cost or photo updates. My driver's license has the photo and is issued to me free every 4 years. If a passport is some day required to go into Canada or Mexico, or to get back into the US from either country, or if we decide to travel to other countries that require them, then we'll start buying passports. :-) Tom J >"Tom J" <tomnews@earthlink.net> wrote: >>> "Tom J" <tomnews@earthlink.net> wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > >Tom J Good points. On the other hand, the first time we needed passports, back in the 80s, we needed them in a hurry. Since then, we pay the few bucks a year it costs to keep them current. If somebody again wants me to take an emergency trip to Switzerland at their expense, we'll be ready. <g> SignatureDD . My driver's >license has the photo and is issued to me free every 4 years. >Tom J Tell us... How do you get a free Driver's license every four years. Most of us have to pay some kind of fee. George > . My driver's >> license has the photo and is issued to me free every 4 years. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Tell us... How do you get a free Driver's license every four years. > Most of us have to pay some kind of fee. I am a US veteran during time of war and GA issures a license free for life, even the CDL endorsement. :-) Tom J who's have a free license for over 50 years!!! >> . My driver's >>> license has the photo and is issued to me free every 4 years. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >Tom J >who's have a free license for over 50 years!!! GA is treating you good... Sure wish other states would follow suit. Maybe they don't consider Korea and Vietnam a war.... Thanks for your service! George > Here is my question and I really appreciate your help...... > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > volunteered to fly up to Anchorage and will drive home to Illinois > with her. Consider the Marine ferry.. I drove to AK, spent about 2 months driving around, and couldn't stand the thought of driving back all the way. I took the Marine Ferry from outside of Anchorage (they put the rv in the hold below decks) and I got a cruise in a cabin for a few days to Bellingham washington, then it was an easy drive to chicago via i90... (was a few day drive, but the few days relaxing on the ship revitalized me for the last few days of driving) >> Here is my question and I really appreciate your help...... >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > drive, but the few days relaxing on the ship revitalized me for the last > few days of driving) This is an option if money is no object. Also during the tourist season the ferries are usually booked full well in advance of sailing. If this is a choice, I would book passage immediately upon arrival in Alaska and hope for a reasonable early sailing date.... Dave D Thanks to everyone with your advice and comments..... I just thought I would let everyone know how it went.... We departed Anchorage Alaska around 10am Sunday, July 9th. We drove through Tok, Whitehorse, Dawsons Creek, Edmonton, Regina, Minot, Minneapolis, Madison and ended up in central Illinois around 4am on Saturday, July 15th. We would have stopped friday night, but it was hot, the air conditioner wasn't working well, and with two drivers we figured we would just finish it off. I figure I was on the road about 75 hours or so...averaged about 45mph in Alaska, Yukon and northern BC, and about 65 mph for the rest of the trip. Drove about 425 miles per day the first two days, and about 600-650 miles per day for the rest of it. The roads were in OK shape....some construction in the Yukon and ND but generally not bad. Once you hit Alberta, it's a straight shot home! :) Have a nice summer everyone. Mike > >> Here is my question and I really appreciate your help...... > >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Dave D >mnolan@purdue.edu wrote: >Thanks to everyone with your advice and comments..... >I just thought I would let everyone know how it went.... [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >trip. Drove about 425 miles per day the first two days, and about >600-650 miles per day for the rest of it. I am in awe of anybody who would drive 425 miles a day hauling a trailer on the first two days of that trip. That would put you almost to Watson Lake. It took us eight days to drive from Watson Lake to Anchorage this trip.<g> SignatureDave, the Bob Hatch trainee > I am in awe of anybody who would drive 425 miles a day hauling a trailer > on the first two days of that trip. That would put you almost to Watson My last one-week trip, I began and ended the trip at about 450 miles each way, and about two hundred miles move in the middle of the week. Dragged my TT the whole time. It was pretty rough. I won't be doing that again. It is a small 16' fiberglass trailer, a Scamp. It weighs less than 2000 pounds fully loaded, so the van hardly knows it's there. I would never try it with my 30' Coachmen travel trailer. It also helps if you get up early and drive till 11pm or so (since it is still light out). Happy travels! Mike > > I am in awe of anybody who would drive 425 miles a day hauling a trailer > > on the first two days of that trip. That would put you almost to Watson [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > It was pretty rough. I won't be doing that again. |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.