Starting in Fairbanks, Alaska, the ride up the Dalton Highway to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay is 498 miles one way. From Livengood, the actual beginning of the Dalton, approximately 25% of the road is paved, and in the summer, the rest is gravel, dirt or mud depending on the weather. It is strongly recommended to bring two spare tires, and to carry extra gas for the 239 mile stretch between Coldfoot and Deadhorse where there are no gas stations. Although not recommended, many people travel the road on motorcycles and bicycles. The feeling of accomplishment after such a feat must be incredible. I know it felt pretty awesome for us doing it in the Jeep! The road is challenging and beautiful, and the best way to avoid catastrophe and enjoy the journey is to first do your homework and don’t approach it casually. Once you’re traveling, just take your time. For more detailed information about the Dalton Highway, traveling on it and considerations to take before embarking on this journey, take a look at this page on the Bureau of Land Management website, where you will find a very thorough downloadable PDF guide.
Our first day on the Dalton was grey and wet most of the time, but still provided some interesting scenery. The road parallels the Alaska Pipeline for a good portion of the distance, and there are numerous access points for pipeline maintenance along the way.
Day two at Yellowstone was a busy one! The first bit of awesomeness was on our way out of the campground… we got to see a family of magpies! The others took off before I could get the camera, though.
