Cost of Trip to Alaska?

[msimon]

We're thinking that this is a good year to visit Alaska (fuel prices still low, we're still spry enough to do it ) and are considering a six week round trip originating in New England. For those of you who have already done the Alaska thing from wherever, anywhere in the US, approximately how much was the overall cost of your trip? I know, I know. Lots of variables here. We just want a bunch of ballpark estimates to make sure what we have budgeted seems reasonable. Thanks.

[DanB]

10,000 mile at 10 MPG = $3,000
Repairs on the road = $1,000
42 days at $75 per = $3,500
Physiologist/Chiropractor/Other = $1,500
Total: $9,000
Value of adventure = priceless.
(note I fixed the math!)

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by DanB

10,000 mile at 10 MPG = $3,000
Repairs on the road = $1,000
72 days at $75 per = $3,500
Physiologist/Chiropractor/Other = $1,500
Total: $9,000
Value of adventure = priceless.

72 x 75 = 5400

I take it one would take a beating on this kind of trip.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Is 6 weeks long enough? At 9,000 miles just there and back you are looking at 215 miles traveled per day.

[DanB]

Originally Posted by SeaLevel

72 x 75 = 5400
.

I never did understand metric system....... eh?

[brokeboater]

We spent seven months getting there and back. Towed a 15,000# fifth wheel 17,000 miles and did another 10,000 miles sight seeing. We don't eat out, drink very lightly (at least back then, none anymore) don't do excursions and boondock, blacktop or otherwise, as much as possible. I figure I spent about $35K, which is hardly relevant to you, but worth every penny to this perpetual tight wad.

Expect food, booze, fuel and entertaining to be double what it is here for you. You can camp free, or cheap, or extravagant. Food, fuel, booze and repairs are the only things you can't get away from and they are pricey "up there'. The best parts of the trip, for me, cost little to nothing. I'll be going back for the third time, come heck or high water.

[RamblinManGa]

Hi from AZ. . . That's a very difficult question to answer ! We did PHX to Alaska & back, 83 days on the road, 11k miles on AS, 14k on truck. We did about all the side trips/excursions we wanted, my wife loves her fhu, so not much boondocking, had others join us for a week here & there.. . . Looks like the dollar is still doing well vs Canada (I got $1.23 per dollar) and gas was cheaper last year (but not cheap) We don't eat fast or chain food, a halibut sandwich for lunch was $20 in AK, dinner & a couple of drinks was pushing $100 mostly . . . SO many variables. We spent North of $15k on the trip. (And we're going back next year) Hope this helps a little. . . It's a helluva trip ! ! ! Craig

[SeaLevel]

Oh, and 6 weeks would only be 42 days...

That doesn't seem like enough time to me. 72 days sounds better. I would love to make that trip sometime, but I wouldn't want to hurry.

[Wayne&Sam]

Take more time, take more money. Always a good rule of thumb.

[switz]

Dollars are like Doritos where they will make more, they are printing dollars as fast as the presses will run... So go and enjoy

[kscherzi]

To be a true comparison you should calculate what you'd be spending for six weeks if you just stayed at home.

[Bill M.]

We did Alaska on the WBCCI caravan. My thought is that 6 weeks is just not enough time from New England. Maybe that much time from Prince George or Dawson City. It is a long, hard drive from Prince George however you cut it. Prices were higher for food and fuel in the US. Fuel costs a lot in Canada. When we went in 08 diesel was past $6.00 in Canada. This last summer it was about $4.50-$5.00 when it was $3.00 in the states.

Attractions are expensive in Alaska. There are some cheap places to camp. The caravan covered the campgrounds out of the kitty and we stayed at some dry camping sites the leaders arranged so I do not have a feel for the costs. Every thing in Canada going up is a little more pricey than the US. So in a way you can get by with a slightly higher budget for the same time in the states or you can spend a fortune in doing things up there. (Plane rides and fishing trips really cost). I only wish in hindsight we had done more of each. Time is the bigger consideration than the budget, I think. And if it is not covered in snow it is tourist season.
The WBCCI caravan kitty cost is about $6000 for about 60 days. That covers campgrounds and a goodly number of attractions and maybe 4 meals a week. I know there was a $600 plane/bus trip and a $110 train trip and a ferry/bus excursion to Juneau among other things in that kitty. It seems that we did some sort of attraction every 3 days. It covers the leaders expenses also. You need to add meals and fuel. And time and budget to wash the truck and trailer a few times.

[switz]

We were told that having close to 10K in cash in addition to the WBCCI kitty was about right. That would cover the at least two weeks going each way from and to Phoenix to the start and ending points of the WBCCI Caravan. We had issues crop up that precluded our ability to go this year, but maybe in the future we will try again.

There is a 10K cash limit per person crossing the international borders.

[Bill M.]

Why would you carry cash to Alaska? They got ATM's there too.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by msimon

We're thinking that this is a good year to visit Alaska (fuel prices still low, we're still spry enough to do it ) and are considering a six week round trip originating in New England. For those of you who have already done the Alaska thing from wherever, anywhere in the US, approximately how much was the overall cost of your trip? I know, I know. Lots of variables here. We just want a bunch of ballpark estimates to make sure what we have budgeted seems reasonable. Thanks.

Someday we hope to make this trip! Would allocate $20,000 US for the adventure plus really good medical , trailer, towing etc. insurance.

Six weeks is an unreasonable time estimate IMO, and causes me concern about your ability to plan a trip like this, however. YMMV

You asked . . .

[AWCHIEF]

I am going to start a "go fund me" page and beg for money for my leisure time dream. Seems a popular thing to do these days for the entitlement generation. No reason it should not work for a fledgling old fart like me. 🤑

[Arcticfox]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I am going to start a "go fund me" page and beg for money for my leisure time dream. Seems a popular thing to do these days for the entitlement generation. No reason it should not work for a fledgling old fart like me. 🤑

That's funny. I'm amazed as I watch this trend happen.....

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I am going to start a "go fund me" page and beg for money for my leisure time dream. Seems a popular thing to do these days for the entitlement generation. No reason it should not work for a fledgling old fart like me. 🤑

Good idea. I'll kick in a buck or two!

[Phoenix]

Yikes! Didn't realize how expensive Alaska might be. Makes a cruise adventure sound more affordable for those with limited time, at least to personally decide if an extended roadtrip is worth the expense.

Time to rethink our bucket list plans. However, Alaska itself is still a must see!

[Evelyn Hill]

ATM's - what a thought!