Ever driven to Alaska from Eastern Washington State?

In April we are moving to Alaska and will be taking the Uhaul up through Canada. I have tried Mapquest, Yahoo Maps, Google Maps, and many others. Each one gives me a different set of directions. I am confused as to whether I should go up Hwy 395 or follow Hwy 2 into Idaho first. Also, none of these maps shows the towns that we would be passing through. I would like to set up hotel reservations and map out each day because there is no way we can drive straight through (as you can tell I am very organized and do not like waiting until the last minute). I need some help here figuring out good driving directions to get up there and also names of towns along the way. Thank you much!! :)Ever driven to Alaska from Eastern Washington State?
Either way you go:

many of those towns you see are small, really small. And in many of them nothing is open in the winter. So always call ahead and don't assume. Also in the Canadian portion a lot of the gas stations do not have credit card pay at the pump, so if they are open in winter you will need to fill up during business hours.



And where the maps don'; show towns, that's because there aren't any. Where you are going is much more rural then the lower 48. For instance on either the Alcan or the Cassier (sorry don't know the numbers, check the milepost) the 'highway is a 2 lane road, there are not exits, rest stops are just places to park (no 7-11s or anything) and in some places is isn't even paved. Although that won;t matter much this time of year as it is covered in snow.



You might consider going to WA and getting on the Alaska Marine Highway.

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.sh鈥?/a>



If you still decide to drive get a copy of the 2009 Milepost, it is hands down the best guide for the trip up.

http://www.themilepost.com/



also here is some information I gave to answer another question, that might also be helpful to you.

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You have to be prepared, there will be very long stretches of road with no services, stores, or well anything. Weather can be extreme and it really is dark a lot up north in the winter. And many service stations in the Yukon are not open in the winter. Do a little googling on gas availability. And know that many pumps in small towns are not set up with 24 hour credit card readers (found that out the hard way one winter trip to Dawson from Fairbanks, had to camp out at a service station and wait for it to open)

Carry spare tires, jumper cables, and a tow rope. Have your 4 wheel drive vehicle winterized: a battery heater, oil pan heater and engine block heater that you can plug in when the car is parked for long times in -20 or lower weather. Might consider and oil change to synthetic or winter weight oil. And tune up before you go. Good aggressive snow tires make a big difference.

Carry arctic outdoor wear, and heavy sleeping bags, extra food and the ability to make fire. A camp stove to make water if you get stuck somewhere, no need to carry water it will freeze anyway. a flashlight is good, but a headlamp is better. The new LEDs are really really nice. Use lithium batteries, they work in the real cold, alkalines can freeze.

Know the rules about getting into Canada, a DUI will prevent you.

Moose and other large game can be a real danger on the roads so keep your eyes open.

Get a book called 'The Milepost' best road guide for the trip.

http://milepost.com/

And when the sign says "slow down" "rough road" or "dips" they are not kidding :)

drive safe and have fun, it is truly beautiful.