The 10 Best Scenic Drives in Alaska, United States

September 2, 2021 Yuk Petri

Alaska is divided into five regions: far north, interior, southwest, south central, and inside passage. Although it takes a long time to see the entire state, you can travel through the regions by boat, car, bus, or plane. Hike through the mountains, or venture out on a deep sea fishing or whale watching excursion. Get in touch with nature by camping in the wilderness, or experience your preferred degree of class and luxury in the beautiful, active cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks. 
Restaurants in Alaska

1. Atigun Pass

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Atigun Pass

The highest mountain pass along the Dalton Highway.

2. Matanuska Glacier Scenic Drive

Glenn Highway, Chickaloon, AK https://www.alaska.org/guide/matanuska-glacier-scenic-drive
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Matanuska Glacier Scenic Drive

3. Seward Highway

Seward Highway, AK
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 168 reviews

Seward Highway

Reviewed By faithandhope2live - Coquitlam, Canada

Seward Highway stretches 127-miles from Anchorage to Seward. Last August my son drove the family from Anchorage to Seward. That was a treat, no matter which way you turn the scenery is just breathtaking. Along the highway there are bike paths, hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas and scenic stops. We made a stop at McHugh Creek and Bird Point Park rest area. Both places were clean with lots of posters to help visitors to understand the area. We were glad we had the chance to enjoy these places. Happy Travelling!

4. Eagle Summit

Fairbanks, AK
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Eagle Summit

Located 108 miles from Fairbanks, this summit towers 3,624 feet high, well above the timberline.

5. Steese Highway

Fairbanks, AK +1 907-773-1222
Excellent
45%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 166 reviews

Steese Highway

Most of the scenic drives in the Fairbanks region start on this road, which twists through the White Mountains and allows access to mining sites, hot-springs resorts and recreational options.

Reviewed By katherinem13

We drove this highway a few times, just to see Alaska. Going up to Chena Hot Springs, we saw quite a bit of the highway. The sights are gorgeous. I recommend just going for a drive to see what the forests of Alaska look like in this area. And keep an eye out for Moose! They were all along the side of the highway, wading thru the snow or lying in a field resting!

6. James Dalton Highway

Fairbanks, AK https://www.alaska.org/guide/dalton-highway
Excellent
66%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 172 reviews

James Dalton Highway

The only road through North Alaska, often hiked and camped beside.

Reviewed By TravelPagol - Tempe, United States

Away from all hustle and bustle of city life, and all controlling tour company ride, you could rent a car (which are permitted to drive on Dalton Highway) and take a drive. It is not very cheap option and at times feel not safe - when you face the haulers truck - driven at 70 miles with flying gravels. Once out of Fairbanks region, it felt like being with nature - with white all around - from 2 week old snowstorm and frozen River (even mighty Yukon). Drove all the way to Atigun Pass - after customary stop at - Yukon Camp - for refill /coffee (Bless the owner - who suggested that I should go beyond Coldfoot to Atigun Pass - it is so beautiful), - Arctic Circle Sign, and - Coldfoot (stayed their for the night - and enjoyed the Aurora) Landscape of Taiga and Tundra, with all white mountains - so beautiful, and I will remember this trip forever. I will probably go back once again - to drive all the way to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay - and my be in Fall.

7. Top of the World Highway

Tok, AK
Excellent
56%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 109 reviews

Top of the World Highway

Travels west from Dawson City across the Canadian border.

Reviewed By 123Shane - Calgary, Canada

My wife and I enjoy drives and ATVing in the back country and this highway did not disappoint.We left Fairbanks and stopped in Tok at the tourist info. The lady there was awesome and gave us highway updates and tips for our trip. We stopped in Chicken for something to eat and grab some souvenirs. The gravel road was well maintained and the views were incredible. We were in a small SUV so driving a motor home or pulling a trailer would be a much different experience but I would do it. We had some rain toward the Dawson City end so driving to conditions is important but we did not encounter any issues. After staying in Dawson for a few days we returned on the highway and made our way to Valdez.Road conditions were excellent with plenty of stops for photos and going through the border crossing was fun talking to the border guards. We are very glad we made the trip. Long days of travel but it was relaxing and beautiful and well worth it.

8. Haines Highway

Excellent
78%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Haines Highway

A scenic highway.

9. George Parks Highway

+1 907-733-2315
Excellent
74%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

George Parks Highway

A scenic highway.

Reviewed By GetLostinNature

Oh the many highways in Alaska. They are all so gorgeous and unique in their own way. This particular one holds my heard because it is the way to my favorite place in Alaska, Denali National Park. Make sure you stop off on Talkeetna Spur Road and walk around cute downtown Talkeetna on your way up to Denali on the George Parks Highway. Also, stop in at one of the campgrounds of Denali STATE park on the way as well to view Denali from a different angle. I prefer the North View Campground myself. As with all the roads in Alaska you will experience some bumps from the frost heaves in the road from permafrost thawing and refreezing under the surface, but all in all the roads are pretty good considering. Alaska is very easy to navigate. The views along the road are beautiful and I saw more moose along this road than any other highway in Alaska, once you get closer to Healy.

10. Park Road

Denali National Park and Preserve, AK +1 800-622-7275 http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm
Excellent
71%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,243 reviews

Park Road

Scenic 90-mile roadway that winds through Alaska's Denali National Park.

Reviewed By TeardropTrailrTravls

We took the Tundra Wilderness Tour, which took us along over 60 miles of Park Road. The scenery along this road is both varied and spectacular. The park was very colorful in September. Denali is visible from several locations along the road, and we were fortunate that the weather was clear and we were able to see the peak. The road also traverses several of Denali's beautiful braided rivers and climbs up the treacherous Polychrome Pass, which offers expansive views of the gorgeous landscape below.

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