Alaska's Dalton Highway: Rough and tough, but beautiful

The Dalton Highway is the road to take if you simply want to drive as far north as possible. From its starting point at the Elliott Highway, it continues for more than 400 miles until nearly reaching the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Deadhorse after crossing the Arctic Circle. But you won't want to drive this road unless your RV is in dependable shape and capable of handing rough roads. And, of course, you must have a serious quest for adventure.

Deadhorse is the village that serves the North Slope oilfield, with several hotels, a store and gas station. The community is a superlative of sorts: it is as far north as you can go on Alaska’s primary road system, and it is worth exploring, especially if your goal is to dip your toe in the Arctic Ocean.

The Dalton Highway begins 85 miles north of Fairbanks and is one of the roughest roads in Alaska. It was constructed in the mid-1970s to haul freight to and from construction camps and workers building the 800-mile long trans-Alaska oil pipeline that stretches from Prudhoe Bay in the north all the way to the ice-free port of Valdez in Prince William Sound. The road offers few modern conveniences. The washboards are many, the grades can be steep (as much as 10 and 12 percent) and the big rig trucks delivering to Prudhoe Bay along the “haul road,” as it’s called by the locals, can make for uncomfortable traveling companions. 

Not all car and RV rental companies allow their vehicles on the Dalton, so check ahead of time and be prepared for this road trip. Carry two spare tires, a jack, tool kit, emergency flares, extra gasoline, oil, wiper fluid and a first aid kit. Bring drinking water and plenty of ready-to-eat-food, and all of your camping gear. A CB radio is also not a bad idea (monitor channel 19). Travel services are nonexistent. The 244-mile stretch north of Coldfoot is the longest service-free stretch of highway in North America.

So, why go to all this bother, you may ask?
Consider the scenery, which includes views of the mighty Yukon River, Atigun Pass (at the crest of the Continental Divide), the caribou of the north slope tundra, 375-million year-old limestone-filled Sukakpak Mountain (elevation 4,459 feet at Mile 203.5) and any number of sweeping mountain vistas opening into the Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic National Park or Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Another trip highlight is crossing the Arctic Circle just past mile 115.