As one might imagine, planning your route for a weekend outing is a lot different than planning your route to Alaska. As I have learned from Greg, all kinds of variables enter into the equation. There are obvious things like avoid or use toll roads, desired types of roads such as interstates, state highways, etc. But when traveling by bus on a one-way journey to Alaska, the issues are mind-boggling. Here are just some of the things that Greg has had to account for in his route planning:

  • Road type: Much more-so than in a car, in a 46-passenger bus you care a lot about the type and condition of roads traveled. Special care must be taken in navigating through and around cities.
  • Height restrictions: You have to make sure your bus will have enough clearance for any tunnels and overpasses.
  • Propane restrictions: Some tunnels and bridges won’t permit transit by vehicles carrying propane tanks.
  • Towing concerns: You must be sure that a road or jurisdiction allows towing, and that towing is safe / possible.
  • Firearms: Confirm the regulations of various jurisdiction and border crossings regarding your firearms (don’t wanna get eaten by a bear on arrival in Alaska).
  • Ferries: Your trip can be significantly shortened and your bank account possible drained by the use of ferries, if allowed. Must decide carefully.
  • Gas prices: Traveling in a diesel-fuel-guzzling vehicle like the Eagle coach, you must consider the price of fuel, which may mean avoiding refueling in certain areas.
  • Sightseeing: People don’t have the chance to travel across the entire country often, and naturally it would be nice to visit various sights of interest along the way.
  • Lodging: Do you want to stay in a hotel or campground? Walmart parking lots? Which places can even accept a huge bus, what are the facilities like, etc.

  • Weather: Always an issue on a road trip, but when the road extends into Alaska during the start of the winter season, the matter of weather becomes more critical. Aided by of the plethora of online mapping services available these days, and the Good Sam Club’s online trip planner, Greg has put together a route that satisfies all his requirements. Here is a list of the major, and a few minor, waypoints along the way.

  • Birmingham, Alabama
  • Memphis, Tennessee
  • Springfield, Missouri
  • Kansas City, Missoiri
  • Omaha, Nebraska
  • Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • Rapid City, South Dakota
  • Billings, Montana
  • Helena, Montana
  • Calgary, Alberta
  • Edmonton, Alberta
  • Grand Prairie, Alberta
  • Fort Nelson, British Columbia
  • Whitehorse, Yukon
  • Destruction Bay, Yukon
  • Snag Junction, Yukon
  • Tok, Alaska
  • Glennallen, Alaska

I have put the route and waypoints into Google Maps Bookmark this map, and I will be updating the progress on this map each day.