Driving from Utah to Alaska: An Epic Road Trip on the Al/Can Highway
Some road trips are about getting from point A to point B, and others are about everything that happens in between. Driving from Utah to Alaska on the Alcan Highway was one of those journeys — the kind that changes you along the way, where every bend in the road reveals a new story, a new surprise, and a new memory that you know you’ll carry forever. In just thirteen days, we traveled 7,200 miles by car, camped under wild northern skies, soaked in natural hot springs, encountered more wildlife than I ever thought possible, and discovered places so stunning they hardly seemed real.
Starting in Utah
We started our journey in Utah with our sights set on Banff, determined to cover serious ground on our first day, trading the red rock deserts and Wasatch peaks for the long journey north. The first stretch takes you through familiar highways, but soon enough, the landscapes begin to change — rolling hills, lush forests, and cooler air hint at the northern adventure to come. By evening, we had already crossed into Canada and made it into the Rockies.
Banff and the Canadian Rockies
The next morning, we set out to stretch our legs at Johnston Canyon, hiking past waterfalls that roared between limestone walls. Later that day, we caught our first glimpse of Moraine Lake, its turquoise water glowing like a jewel against the backdrop of towering peaks.
That night we camped in Banff, and when the sun rose, we were rewarded with the sight of Lake Louise at dawn, the lake’s mirror-like surface perfectly still beneath alpenglow-colored peaks.
From there we carried on to Jasper, driving the legendary Icefields Parkway. This stretch alone could be its own trip — every few miles another emerald lake shimmered into view, glaciers spilled down mountainsides, and the scenery was so overwhelming that what should have been a quick drive turned into a six-hour crawl of pulling over to take it all in. 
That evening we made it to Jasper in time for dinner, and after eating, we wandered out across Jasper Lake. The lake is so shallow you can walk straight across it, and in the distance, we could see the glow of a raging wildfire — a sobering reminder of the wildness of the landscapes we were moving through.
That night, north of Jasper, we camped at a small site where, by chance, we stumbled upon a labyrinth trail. The next morning, before we packed up and hit the road again, we walked the winding path in quiet reflection.
The Alaska Highway (The Alcan)
By the time we rolled into Dawson Creek, we were buzzing with excitement. Standing by the iconic sign marking “Mile 0” of the Alaska Highway felt like a rite of passage — the true beginning of our northern adventure. We took the obligatory pictures and set off onto the legendary Alcan. Almost immediately, the landscape shifted to wide open roads bordered by endless trees, mountains fading in and out on the horizon.
That night, we camped at Toad River and were treated to one of the most beautiful sunsets of the trip, the sky painted in pinks and oranges above the still water.
The further north we drove, the wilder it became. Moose appeared along the roadside, and at one point, an entire herd of bison wandered onto the highway, stopping traffic in its tracks. Caribou trotted past like they owned the place, and we quickly realized they kind of do. We paused at the striking turquoise waters of Muncho Lake for a snack and then made our way to Liard Hot Springs. Tucked away in the forest, this steaming pool of mineral water was one of the most magical stops of the entire trip. It was well maintained but still completely natural, the perfect place to relax and warm up before pushing further into the Yukon.
Crossing into the Yukon felt like stepping into another world. The roads were quiet, the wilderness seemed to stretch forever, and the air had a sense of remoteness that felt both humbling and thrilling. 
At Watson Lake, we joined the tradition of travelers before us by leaving our own Utah sticker at the famous Sign Post Forest, adding our mark to the thousands already there. That night, we camped on the shores of Kluane Lake, falling asleep under the vast Yukon sky with hopes of seeing the northern lights. The aurora never appeared, but the morning brought its own magic: a grizzly bear wandering through the dew, not too far from where we slept. It wasn’t a cub, but not full-grown either — the kind of wild, raw encounter that makes your heartpound and your senses sharpen.
From there, it wasn’t long before we crossed into Alaska. Arriving at Delta Junction, the official end of the Alcan, felt like a triumph. We toasted with sparkling cider, ate sandwiches, and laughed at how surreal it was to finally be there.
Our first stop was North Pole, Alaska, where we visited Santa’s workshop, met reindeer, picked out sleigh bells and a snow globe, and reveled in the whimsy of it all.
After a windshield repair in Fairbanks (courtesy of a flying rock that left its mark), we headed for Denali National Park. It was early fall, and the park was ablaze in color — oranges, yellows, and reds lit up the valleys, and a massive moose brought traffic to a halt as he crossed the road like royalty. 
We camped inside the park, grateful for hot showers and a soft place to rest, before continuing south toward the Kenai Peninsula.
Anchorage gave way to pouring rain as we arrived at Kenai Fjords National Park, but even gray skies couldn’t hide the beauty of glaciers and rugged coastline.
We camped near Seward and the next morning took a boat cruise along the coast. While the whales didn’t make an appearance, we spotted bald eagles, sea otters, and endless dramatic scenery that made the ride unforgettable.
The journey pressed on to Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, the largest in the United States, where the sheer size and raw wilderness felt almost impossible to grasp. 
That night, with the season winding down, we camped at a small, nearly empty campground at Tok where hand-carved totems sat by the firepit. We roasted hot dogs, made s’mores, and had the rare luxury of hot showers all to ourselves. With the fire crackling and the totems keeping silent company, it felt like one of the coziest and most memorable nights of the trip.
Eventually, we wound our way back out of Alaska, dipping into British Columbia before cutting back into Alaska again at Haines. After dinner, we wandered to the river and struck gold — bears. We followed three cubs down the road for what felt like miles, watching them amble along without a care in the world, like the three little bears come to life.
We camped by the port and caught the early ferry to Skagway, where we hopped aboard the historic train climbing into the mountains on the Klondike Gold Rush Trail. It felt like traveling back in time, riding the same route prospectors once took in search of fortune.
At Whitehorse, Shaun caught a plane home, and I turned the car south, retracing our path. I stopped again at Liard Hot Springs, Toad River, and Muncho Lake, revisiting those places that had already carved themselves into my memory. I made it back through Dawson Creek and finally into Edmonton to stay with friends before the long journey home.
When it was all said and done, we had traveled 7,200 miles in thirteen days, seen ten foxes, fifteen bears, six moose, and hundreds of bison. More than that, though, we experienced the freedom of the open road, the wonder of landscapes too vast to comprehend, and the kind of adventure that makes you feel alive in every sense of the word.
It was, without a doubt, one of the best road trip of my life.
There’s something magical about packing up the car, hitting the open road, and watching the landscape transform before your eyes. Driving from Utah to Alaska is not just a road trip — it’s an adventure of a lifetime. With miles of wilderness, dramatic mountains, and endless skies, the journey along the Alaska–Canada Highway (the “Alcan”) is as breathtaking as the destination itself.
Final Thoughts: Tips and Must Have’s and Do’s
Driving from Utah to Alaska on the Alcan Highway through Banff and the Canadian Rockies is more than just a road trip — it’s a rite of passage. It’s long, it’s challenging, and sometimes unpredictable. But it’s also full of beauty, adventure, and stories you’ll carry forever.
If Alaska is on your bucket list, consider making the drive. The journey north may just be as unforgettable as the destination itself. Here’s some things to keep in mind!
- Expect the unexpected: wildlife on the road (bears, moose, bison, even porcupines), stretches with no cell service, and weather that changes fast. Be ready for construction, varied road conditions, and rapidly changing weather, including rain, snow, and significant insect populations in the summer. Slow down in bad weather, keep headlights on, and be prepared for wildlife on the road.
- Gas up often: Stations can be hundreds of miles apart. Always top off your tank when you can. We also bought a small attachment for the trailer hitch where we carried 2 jerry can’s of gas and we used them. We pulled into a town that had completely run out of gas due to a bridge that exploded earlier that week and no gas tankers were able to make it to that part of the highway so taking extra gas is a good idea.
- Pack smart: Snacks, water, and a good road atlas are must-haves. We took a paper map just in case we were ever without internet service (which happens a lot) Always had food and water in the car. Also it’s recommended to take a full size spare which our car had. Bear spray is a good idea if you’re doing any hiking. Passports,
- Car Sleeping: Unlike other locations, pulling over on the road and sleeping in your car is acceptable and a common occurance. We had a bed made up in the back of our Denali and slept super comfortable every night!
- Tentative/Flexible Schedule: We didn’t have a ton of time because of Shaun’s work schedule. so we planned on making a lot of distance in a short time. Here was our outline, with room to stop where and when we felt we needed to and it worked out great for us. I knew that once I had driven the road once with Shaun and seen it, I would feel comfortable driving back alone and I did. I dropped him at the airport in Whitehorse, Yukon and drove back by myself and knew exactly where to stop, eat, shower, all the things. I felt safe and confident, so its doable alone.
- Pro Tip: We left the last weekend in August which means we avoided the summer travel rush and most bugs and mosquitos. We had beautiful fall colors the further north we got, and we had almost perfect weather.
- MUST SEE & DO: Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, Mile Post 0 Dawsons Creek,Laird Hot Springs, Watson Lake and the Sign Forrest,
