Category Archives: Alaska Roads

Questions about traveling Alaska’s roads.

Whittier Tunnel Schedule?

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Q: What is the schedule for the Whittier Tunnel?

A: The Whittier Tunnel (Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel) Summer Schedule for 2011:
The tunnel’s summer season is from May 1st, to September 30th, and is open 7 days a week from 5:30 am to 11:15 pm. The tunnel is one-way only, so traffic must alternate; generally the directions switch every 15 minutes, so it is not usually a long wait to get through the tunnel. Trains share the tunnel as well, so scheduled and unscheduled trains can cause additional delays of 15-30 minutes.

There is a toll charged for traveling through the tunnel.If you are in a normal class a passenger vehicle, not pulling a trailer, an RV not pulling a trailer, or on a motorcycle the fee is $12.00 per vehicle.

To ensure smooth operation, Please plan on arriving to the staging area, 10 minutes before the scheduled opening.

Here is the full Whittier Tunnel Schedule:

TIME DIRECTION
5:30 – 5:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
6:00 – 6:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
6:30 – 6:45 am * Bear Valley to Whittier
7:00 – 7:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
7:30 – 7:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
8:00 – 8:15 am * Whittier to Bear Valley
8:30 – 8:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
9:00 – 9:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
9:30 – 9:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
10:00 – 10:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
10:30 – 10:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
11:00 – 11:15 am Whittier to Bear Valley
11:30 – 11:45 am Bear Valley to Whittier
12:00 – 12:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
12:30 – 12:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
1:00 – 1:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
1:30- 1:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
2:00 – 2:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
2:30 – 2:45 pm * Bear Valley to Whittier
3:00 – 3:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
3:30 – 3:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
4:00 – 4:15 pm * Whittier to Bear Valley
4:30 – 4:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
5:00 – 5:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
5:30 – 5:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
6:00 – 6:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
6:30 – 6:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
7:00 – 7:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
7:30 – 7:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
8:00 – 8:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
8:30 – 8:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
9:00 – 9:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
9:30 – 9:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
10:00 – 10:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley
10:30- 10:45 pm Bear Valley to Whittier
11:00 – 11:15 pm Whittier to Bear Valley

*Oversize vehicles are allowed only on Monday through Thursday at these times.

Motorcycle helmets must be worn in the tunnel, and convertible vehicles must have the top in place.

What car necessities should I have during travel from Anchorage to Denali?

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Q: What car necessities should I have during travel from Anchorage to Denali?

A: We at Alaska Denali Tours feel it is necessary to keep you safe and by giving you these tips on traveling in a personally owned vehicle or rental car on your way to and from Denali: Continue reading →

What are the different ways to get to Alaska?

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Q: What Are The Different Ways to Get To Alaska?

A: There are a few different was to get to Alaska; it is pretty isolated, so one of the best ways to get to Alaska, is simply to fly.  Depending on your planned Alaska Vacation, you will probably want to fly in to either Anchorage, or Fairbanks; both have major international airports. You can find airlines that offer flights to Alaska on Continue reading →

Travel From Anchorage To Fairbanks

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Q: How long does it take to travel from Anchorage to Fairbanks?

A: Well, travel time of course depends on your chosen mode of transportation. If you are traveling on the Alaska Railroad it will take some time; it’s a scenic route, and accordingly – the train travels at a leisurely pace.  The travel time from Anchorage to Fairbanks aboard the Alaska Railroad is about 12 hours. The train departs at 8:15 am, and arrives at 8:00 pm (2011 season).

If you are looking to get there a little faster, you should rent a car in Anchorage. You can usually get there in about 8 hours, if the roads aren’t too busy, and you don’t make too many stops.

Denali National Park Airports

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Q: What is the nearest airport to Denali National Park?

A: The nearest Major airport is Fairbanks International Airport in the city of Fairbanks about 121 miles north of the Park Entrance.  There are also a couple smaller airstrips: The McKinley Park Airstrip, which is right outside the Park Entrance, and the Kantishna Airstrip, which is 95 miles inside the park. Air taxi services are available between these airstrips as well as from Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Talkeetna.


You can also simply rent a car in Fairbanks, and make the drive down to Denali National Park, or take the Alaska Railroad. A great place to stay near the park entrance is Denali Cabins, and for lodging deep inside the park at Kantishna , check out the exclusive Denali Backcountry Lodge.