Moving to Alaska 2026 (Post #2) Logistics of Driving To Alaska via Canada

Driving from Texas to Alaska is no small feat. It will be a big challenge for my partner and me, marking the longest road trip and move we have accomplished to date. Although the route through northern Canada via the Alaska Highway (also called the Alcan, short for Alaskan-Canada Highway) is remote, it is not unexplored territory; there are recommendations to follow.

Whenever I bring up driving to Alaska, the first and sometimes only resource that is suggested is The MILEPOST. The MILEPOST has been helping visitors get to Alaska for 10 years before Alaska became a state (the first MILEPOST was published in 1949, according to their website). The MILEPOST 2026 ed costs $33 on Amazon. For this price, you get a 640-page magazine-style book complete with maps of all routes to get to Alaska (including the ferry route). It breaks down what is available in all the towns you may pass through on your route, helping you find lodging in the less populous Yukon as well as in populated areas such as Calgary. The copy I have has already helped us map out where to stay on our trip, and I'm sure we will use it even more once we get on the Alcan to learn about the areas we pass through.

History of the Alcan

The Alcan Highway is a highway that runs through northwestern Canada and connects existing Canadian roads to Alaska during WWII to facilitate the movement of troops and materials. In WWII, Alaska was still a territory, and most people who went there did so by ship or rail. When WWII began, there was concern about moving military equipment and personnel by ship, as it was an era of submarines.

The US Army built the Alaskan Highway as a more secure inland route to move troops and materials to Alaska in 8 months and 12 days. According to Ron Dalby in Guide to the Alaska Highway: Your Complete Driving Guide, the US military began construction before Canada officially approved the road. The road was built so quickly that it was originally quite rough to travel on, with little attention given to the road's grade around elevation changes, and none of it was paved.

There are other options for traveling to Alaska - there is a 3-day ferry option from Seattle. You can also ship your vehicles separately and fly with all your important items.

Why did we choose this option?

Driving to Alaska via Canada is the option that works best for us, partly because we both already have passports, we are moving in July, we have some time to kill exploring, and we are both adventurous people.

Logistics of Moving with Animals

Major downside of our chosen option: driving with animals can be challenging. We have two cats, and we have learned that bringing them into Canada is relatively easy. The main documentation you need is proof of up-to-date vaccinations. The concern is getting the cats into Alaska. Animal import requirements for the state of Alaska are specific and include a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) that must be submitted to the Alaska Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) within 30 days of issue. There is a list of 12 items that the CVI must include on its website at alaska.gov.

Logistics of Driving Through Canada during a Move

I have moved between states several times in my adult life. There are always challenges associated with moving; however, there are some unique challenges when moving to another country. Depending on the length of the drive, I will sometimes bring food with me, canned goods and dried goods that I haven't managed to finish off before the move. Since we will be traveling through a foreign country, we have to declare all the food we bring into Canada. This includes processed or canned foods, homemade foods, meats, milk products, fruit, and vegetables. We can still bring these things into Canada, but we have to declare them and make sure we aren't bringing too much of anything.

We also have several weapons for both personal protection and recreational use, and there are very strict laws in Canada for traveling with weapons. You can't bring handguns, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, brass knuckles, or certain prohibited knives into Canada. I was surprised about the tasers, stun guns, and pepper spray not being allowed, but then again, I am coming from Texas. For more detailed information on which weapons are allowed and the associated restrictions, see the Government of Canada's Firearms and Weapons: Canadian Border Requirements.

Closing Thoughts on the Move

I am still excited about the move; however, I am frustrated about the delays we are experiencing and will likely continue to experience with the move and my job. I am maintaining the attitude that everything will work out in the end because much of the logistics is out of my hands, and I am left frustrated by the delays. By the next time I post, we should have actual dates for when the movers can collect our items, when we can have our car shipped, and when I can complete out-processing at this location.

Til then, happy adventuring!