Are You Brave Enough for the Dalton Highway?

1. Dalton Highway

The Dalton Highway is located in Alaska, starting just north of Fairbanks at the Elliot Highway, and stretching all the way to Deadhorse by the Arctic Ocean. The famous isolated road is 414-miles long, and it is considered to be one of the most isolated roads in America, with only three towns between the beginning and the end of the highway: Coldfoot (pop 10) 175 miles in, Wiseman (pop 22) after 188 miles, and Deadhorse (pop 25, but 3,500-5,000 seasonal oil workers) at the end of the highway.

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2. History

The legendary road was built in 1974 with the purpose of servicing the Alaskan oil pipeline. The majority of the Dalton Highway is layered by gravel, and the kings of the road are large 18-wheel trucks. The Dalton Highway has been a truck route since its creation, with 160 to 250 trucks passing through on a daily basis. These trucks take up nearly the whole road, and don't move over for anyone.

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3. Fairbanks to Yukon River

Starting at Fairbanks, take roughly an 80-mile drive to Livengood on the Elliot Highway, where you will see hills of aspen trees. Be well prepared with enough supplies, as well as off-road gear in case of an emergency, because 80 miles of unpaved roads, though uninhabited wilderness might as well be the moon if you break down. From Livengood it is another 56 miles to Yukon River. Once you reach the E.L. Patton Yukon River Bridge, there will be a cafe there with a nice meal waiting for you, and fuel if you need it.

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4. Yukon River to Arctic Circle

Once you kick your Jeep into gear again, you will get to the most scenic part of the highway, with waterfalls, granite outcrops, and if you're lucky enough, you may just see grizzly bears. This part will offer various terrain, from river crossing, gravel, to dirt and rocks. Be sure to have your camera, because it doesn't get more scenic than this.

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5. Be Prepared

From Coldfoot to Deadhorse, there is a 240-mile stretch of gravel road with no services, fuel stations, restaurants, hotels, or anything else for that matter; it's just you and your Jeep. Throughout the journey, however, expect to see the sort of wilderness you can only see when you're that far from everything. In a place like Alaska that means bald eagles, giant moose, crazy, unique scenery, and when the sun goes down, you may get to see the famous Alaskan Northern Lights. If you are prepared with food, spare tires, water, fuel, and a camera, there is no reason you can't have the time of your life driving through the Dalton Highway.

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