Planning roadtrip from Texas to Alaska --- advice & tips needed

[Gene]

Originally Posted by daymonjones

I am so envious, my fantasy is to tow to Fairbanks.

That's the beginning—lots of places to see wherever there are roads. Fairbanks is a central point to rest up, re-provision, wash off the vehicles, rest some more, go to the museum, plan more. Fairbanks is a pretty unimpressive city though the University museum is good. The best commercial campground is Santa Land, about 10 miles east of Fairbanks in North Pole. They had a truck wash there, but I don't think it was free. About 3 blocks west of Santa Land is a good Chinese restaurant.

Gene

[Larry C]

We made the trip 3 years ago....as far as phone service, we have Verizon, and for $20.00/month, you can get coverage in Canada. We had service in most towns, but sometimes in the boonies, lost it. In Alaska, the same deal, only for a couple days we were out of range...
Good experience!
Larry

[jornvango]

We have a 'legal' question: our Texas car inspection windshield sticker is expiring in August 2013. As we're planning to be on the road, starting May 2013 until the summer of 2014: how do we handle the (soon to be) expired sticker?

We called the DPS in Austin, TX and they told us that we could get a ticket if we drive around other states with an expired sticker ... but how do we get our car inspected in Texas when we won't be anywhere near Texas?
For the record, our official address, while we travel, will still be in Texas.

[chiefneon]

Originally Posted by jornvango

We have a 'legal' question: our Texas car inspection windshield sticker is expiring in August 2013. As we're planning to be on the road, starting May 2013 until the summer of 2014: how do we handle the (soon to be) expired sticker?

We called the DPS in Austin, TX and they told us that we could get a ticket if we drive around other states with an expired sticker ... but how do we get our car inspected in Texas when we won't be anywhere near Texas?
For the record, our official address, while we travel, will still be in Texas.

Howdy!

Inspection sticker should not be a problem. We fulltime and ours expires on occasion. We have it inspected upon our return to Texas. Now registration is differant, you should renew it during your travels. I understand you can now renew your license plates online.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

[Gene]

Escapees may help you. I believe they help people register their vehicles in Texas, so they must have a method to solve this problem. They'll also hold mail (and forward too I think) and do other things for people on the road for a long time. The alternatives are to register the vehicle in another state where you have friends or relatives and they don't have inspections, or check with other RV organizations since this is a common problem for RV'ers. NM registration fees are pretty low and maybe you have someone there who can help you establish residency.

I doubt any cop far from Texas would know about the sticker, but why take a chance? I think this is simpler to solve than it looks at first.

Gene

[slowmover]

An TX inspection can be done any month. As many times annually as one wants. Only the registration is month-specific.

[Gene]

Now I remember, the OP would be gone more than a year and would need a second inspection while far from Texas. The problem is states think you should live in them and not be on the road all year, but some people really don't live any one place. For those, there are solutions as I suggested above.

You can also establish residency in some states with only a maildrop which will forward mail to you while on the road at predetermined locations. Private mail offices do this. Escapees is an organization that makes it easier to do the same thing. In some states, this is OK, or used to be before it became hard to get a driver's license or vote in some states.

Gene

[slowmover]

THanks, Gene, missed that. Seemed too easy.

[jornvango]

Last day at work today.
Final trip to San Antonio scheduled for tomorrow to drop off some stuff.
Heading out on Sunday!

[drew05]

Jornvango,

Good Luck and Safe Travels! Going to Alaska with our AS is one of our bucketlist trips. Like everyone else, I look forward to reading about your adventures.

Drew

[Gene]

Looks like you left today and your adventure. I hope you have a great trip. Did you sell your house? Arrange for mail drops, various renewals and all the other stuff that tends to tie us to a specific place?

It is only May and don't be surprised if you run into snow, even before you get to the Canadian border. A combination ice scraper/snow brush and is good thing to have.

Let us know what you see and take plenty of photos.

Gene

[jornvango]

Yes, we sold our house in Austin. We left on the trip yesterday around lunch time.

We slept at San Angelo state park last night in the North section. Very quiet and we saw some prairie dogs; didn't know they lived in this area.



Currently driving north of Big Spring, TX. Heading towards New Mexico.

[tbaugh]

We are also on our way. Currently on Victoria Island, BC. Will. Catch the ferry in prince Rupert may 18. If anyone sees us stop by.

[Gene]

tbaugh, are you taking the the Alaska state ferry? Be aware that they load and exit from the side, not the front and back like most car ferries. That means you have to back into the narrow lanes or maybe even up or down the ramp. Practice backing. I've had different guys directing traffic on the boat tell me completely different things at the same time. Be prepared.

The ferries are nice, but loading is crazy.

Gene

[tbaugh]

Yep, I was aware of that. I hope I'm good enough. Have been on the road since jan and have had a lot of recent practice. I hope they have patience though. Thanks for the thoughts. We have been planning this for a long time.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by jornvango

Yes, we sold our house in Austin. We left on the trip yesterday around lunch time.

We slept at San Angelo state park last night in the North section. Very quiet and we saw some prairie dogs; didn't know they lived in this area.

Attachment 185265

Currently driving north of Big Spring, TX. Heading towards New Mexico.

Have a great Trip !! If you going through New Mexico, you may want to consider a couple of days in Taos ..great place

[borealis2013]

Good luck on your trip north! More than two weeks ago, I drove from Alaska to Arizona to pick up my Airstream, and just spent time in Grand Canyon and Zion National Park on this return leg. I'm now in Seattle getting the Airstream ready for the long haul up the Alaska Highway. I will have logged more than 9,000 miles by the time I get home to Alaska!! I've driven the Alaska Highway 18 times, so let me know if you have any specific questions. Be well, be safe, and happy travels ... maybe we'll see each other on the road!!

[jornvango]

I started a trip blog. It's available by clicking here: Roadtrip RaKeT

P.S. Prior entries on the blog are in Flemish / Dutch ... in case you're wondering if you had too much to drink. All entries for the Alaska trip are in English

[dannydimitt]

Have a Great trip !!
We will be headed up through the the Rockies " US and Canadian" next week, then on to Alaska .
Have not driven up since 1970 and looking forward to a bit more paved roads
than were there 43 years ago. See ya along the road !

[dannydimitt]

According to DriveBC, the government site for road conditions:

Flooding Highway 37 Both directions - The Hwy is closed in both directions 12 km north of Dease River Bridge because of flooding. (80 km north of Dease Lake). Water levels remain high. No estimated time of opening. Detour not available - alternate route via Alaska Hwy. Next update at 10:00 am May 31st. Updated on Fri May 31 at 6:29 am PDT.
----------------------------

If one is northbound on the Cassiar, it would take some pondering to decide whether to turn back or wait it out.
From Dease Lake it is only a couple of hundred kilometres, maybe a two hour drive, to the Alaska Highway.
But to backtrack south on the Cassiar, then east on Hwy 16 to Prince George, then north to Dawson Creek, and finally northward on the Alaska Highway would be about 2,350 km, likely a four day drive