The ultimate road trip along the Alaska Highway

One road, two countries, and 2,232km – a journey along the Alaska Highway promises to be the road trip of a lifetime.

Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Known as the ‘Mile 0 City’, Dawson Creek in British Columbia is the official starting point of the Alaska Highway (sadly with no connection with the similarly named 90s TV programme other than the name, sorry to disappoint fans). Before you hit the road, make sure you check out the Alaska Highway House where you can learn about the route’s history and how its development changed the lives of the communities along its course. Eight minutes’ drive from the Highway, Stonebridge Hotel Dawson Creek offers guests a full hot breakfast daily – the perfect way to start your trip.

Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada

Watson Lake is located near the border of British Columbia in southern Yukon and is home to one of the most famous landmarks along the Alaska Highway; the Sign Post Forest. In 1942, when a soldier was ordered to repair a signpost marking nearby destinations, he decided to add a marking for his hometown of Danville, Illinois (4,562km away). Since then, more than 100,000 signposts for others’ hometowns around the world have been added to the Sign Post Forest.

Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

The largest and only city in the Yukon, Whitehorse is the territory’s capital. It’s located at kilometre 1,326 along the Alaska Highway, was named for its White Horse Rapids, and is a great spot to relax at after a long day’s drive. This is mainly thanks to the Takhini Hot Springs, which are located just outside the city. The springs feature pools of two different temperatures and are a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. Just five minutes from the city centre, SKKY Hotel offers modern accommodation and an on-site restaurant specialising in Korean and Japanese cuisine.

Delta Junction, Alaska, USA

Delta Junction sits at ‘Historic Milepost 1422’, marking the official end of the Alaska Highway. It is here that the Alaska Highway meets Richardson Highway and continues on another 155km to the city of Fairbanks. Hiking around Moose Lake is a great way to experience the raw beauty of the Alaskan wilderness and potentially catch a glimpse of the moose that gather near the water.

Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

Though Fairbanks isn’t officially part of the Alaska Highway, easy access from Delta Junction makes it a great destination for those looking to extend their multi-country road trip by a few days. The largest city in the interior region of Alaska, Fairbanks was founded during a gold rush in the early 1900s. Today, you can still try your luck and pan for gold in the Chena River that weaves through the city. Fairbanks is also a great base for any further exploration of the Alaskan Interior or Arctic regional, of which many major destinations are within a five-hour drive. Sophie Station Suites offers self-catered units with a living room and kitchen, perfect to unwind in after a day of driving.