Drive to the Arctic Ocean? It can be done…
If you got in a car and drove North, how far could you get? At which point would you run out of road? Can you really drive to the Arctic Ocean? Well, Pyrodes got a car and found out. Let us introduce you to Alaska’s Dalton Highway. This adventure of a gravel road stretches over 600 KM through the Arctic’s Boreal Forest, over the Brooks Range, and across Alaska’s vast North Slope. It dead ends at the Arctic Ocean at a tiny outpost jointly owned by British Petroleum and Conoco-Phillips, aptly named Deadhorse. Closed to the public until the mid-1990s, the Dalton offers you the only chance you’ll find in North America to drive clear to the top of the continent. More info and video after the jump…
Ok, the Dalton attacks you in phases. It is at least a two day drive from Fairbanks to Deadhorse, assuming your tires don’t blow out and bears don’t eat you. Allow for an extra day or so in case your car falls into a river (it happens more than you think). The journey will take you past moose, caribou herds, bears (both grizzly and polar), musk ox, wolves, all hidden within some of the most untouched land on Earth. So, let’s break this thing down:
Day 1: From Fairbanks, it is 85 mils to the gravel road that begins the Dalton. On this day, you will drive through the immense Boreal Forest that covers much of the Arctic. Forest fires have scarred much of the land, but it is gorgeous just the same. There is good hiking/camping along the road, but watch for bears. You will pass the Arctic Circle towards the end of the day, just before arriving in one of two overnight destinations: Coldfoot or Wiseman. Coldfoot is a trucker stop with a most delicious restaurant, and Wiseman is an old mining town that now sports just 12 residents who will gladly put you up for the night for a fee. Coldfoot offers more amenities, but Wiseman has a charm and history that is unbeatable.
Alaska's Untouched North Slope
Day 2: On this day, you leave the forest behind, as you cross the beautiful Brooks Range. Hiking here is unparalleled anywhere, as is the wildlife spotting, from mountain sheep to bears. After driving over the highest mountain pass in North America, you enter the true Arctic tundra. Flat expanses, glacier lakes, and a sharp dip in the temperature will greet you on this side of the mountains.
Atigun Pass. Watch Out for Avalanches in the Winter!
Deadhorse: This is an oil outpost in all its glory. Halliburton signs and oil propaganda abound. The people though are friendly and the food is fantastic. Here’s the bad news: the oil companies own the coastline, so you must pay them $38 for the final few mils of your trip to the coast, but, hey, if you came this far, what’s another $38? When you do get to the coast, watch out for polar bears 
.
The Arctic Ocean. Your Ultimate Goal.
Some Tips:
- Most rental car companies don’t want you to use the Dalton, but Pyrodes recommends Go North for your rental needs. They are nice and very helpful.
- We think the best time of year to go is late August. At this time, the mosquitos are dead due to cold, but it is not yet cold enough to kill you. Also, the Northern Lights are just making their first appearances of the year.
- Bring supplies: a spare tire, bear mace, a CB radio, food, and water as a minimum.
- Pull over for trucks; they will put a rock through your windshield in a heartbeat.
- Enjoy. Hike. Camp. Sit, and soak in the lack of civilization.
Photojournal Entry, More Photos, Government Guide (very helpful)
Look at our other great road trips: The Karakoram, the Road of Death
Browse Pyrodes’ Other Great Destination Ideas
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lesley jane on 06 Mar 2009 at 11:40 am #
beautiful pics – what an amazing part of the world!
aletheia kallos on 14 Apr 2009 at 7:36 pm #
nice going
can also be done in canada on the dempster highway & ice road to tuktoyaktuk nwt
tho not in august of course
Dave on 08 Jun 2009 at 2:15 am #
Planning a family trip there for 2010. however, due to school late Aug. would not work. What do you think of late May. There would still be snow, and the road would probably still be frozen. I would love your input. We are planning on taking a F650 or similar type truck with a custom camper that is designed for arctic conditions. We will carry spares roughly 60 gallons of freshwater in heated tanks, welder, more water, arctic survival gear, plasma torch, front and rear 15,000lbs winch as well as a movable 12,000lbs winch that can be mounted on either side, front or rear to assist the main winches. 2 23.6 gal propane gas containers, solar, wind turbine, diesel generator, electric heat, radiant eclectic heat, electric heat for water and camper propane heaters for camper and water. We have basically built triple redundancy into critical systems and double into important ones. The idea is to drive to the arctic ocean, and then over several other summers drive to the tip of south America. We even have an “escape pod” in the form of a four person UTV with tracks and wheels.
Still building, but the plans and most parts are in place.