Alaska Driving Tours

Self-Drive Tours : Itineraries, Accommodations, Car Rentals, Alaska Railroad Excursions

On a self-driving tour, you can experience Alaska at your own pace, where you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to start and stop whenever you wish. The Alaska road system is easy to navigate. You can see almost all of Alaska’s many landmarks and highlights behind the wheel as you discover the many natural wonders of the state’s eight national parks – from Denali to Wrangell St Elias. And you can always add on an excursion to your road trip fun, such as a flightseeing tour above Denali, riding a classic sternwheeler riverboat in Fairbanks, or a glacier and wildlife cruise in Prince William Sound or Kenai Fjords National Park!

Over the past 25+ years, Alaska Tours has pioneered the development of pre-planned Alaska driving vacations and road trips that maximize your vacation time and eliminate the hassle of finding lodges, hotels, and side trips that work well with your itinerary. Let us be your co-pilot as we put you in the driver’s seat as you explore Alaska on your memorable road trip!

We can help you plan your Alaska road trip itinerary and driving route or customize a “rail and road” vacation package while leaving you plenty of time to explore Alaska on your own.

Browse below our wide selection of Alaska self-driving tours and itineraries that combine Alaska Railroad trips with different driving routes. And, of course, we’re happy to customize a driving route just for you. Just give us a call or contact us!

Map of Alaska’s Popular Road-Tripping Routes


Driving Distances Between Alaskan Cities (Miles)

Anchorage Chitina (1) Denali (2) Fairbanks Girdwood Homer Seward (3) Talkeetna Valdez
Anchorage 250 240 360 40 225 130 115 300
Chitina (1) 250 415 310 285 470 375 290 120
Denali (2) 240 415 125 275 460 365 155 465
Fairbanks 360 310 125 395 580 485 275 365
Girdwood 40 285 275 395 185 90 150 340
Homer 225 470 460 580 185 170 240 425
Seward (3) 130 375 365 485 90 170 240 425
Talkeetna 115 290 155 275 150 335 240 340
Valdez 300 120 465 365 340 520 425 340

(1) Chitina – Gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
(2) Denali – Denali National Park Entrance
(3) Seward – Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park

10 days View Map

Alaska Highlights Self-Drive Tour

Self-guided

This independent Alaska self-drive tour features many of the state’s most popular attractions and scenic roadways. Visit Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park and the cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks, Valdez, and Seward. The circular self-driving itinerary and route take you to many major attractions and allow all visitors ample time to experience these […]

Best Seller
a GMC vehicle and a moose on a paved road in Alaska
15 days View Map

All Alaska Classic Self Drive Tour

Self-guided

Explore three of Alaska’s National Parks: Denali, Wrangell – St. Elias, and Kenai Fjords. Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities throughout. Travel on four designated National Scenic Byways showcasing Alaska’s natural beauty with its jagged mountain peaks, lush alpine meadows, and pristine lakes and rivers all along the way.

9 days View Map

Family Fun Vacation by Car

Self-guided

An excellent family itinerary designed to allow for a leisurely travel pace with plenty of time for family-oriented activities. Top destinations include Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. Touring highlights include riding aboard a “whistle stop” train operated by the Alaska Railroad to spectacular Spencer Glacier, driving along some of Alaska’s most scenic roads, and […]

8 days View Map

Great Alaskan Road Trip

Self-guided

Explore Denali, Seward, and the Matanuska Valley with the freedom of a rental car. These three destinations complement each other with natural beauty from mountains to valleys to coastlines. The bus tour into Denali National Park is a great way to see parts of the amazing park, and with some luck, you can spot bears, […]

12 days View Map

Circle Alaska Adventure Tour

Self-guided

Ride the Alaska Railroad, explore Denali National Park, search for gold, meet a sled dog team, and much more! Travel abroad on the Alaska Railroad to Denali and Fairbanks and by car to Valdez, Seward, and Anchorage. We have tailored this tour to allow plenty of time to explore Alaska’s amazing sights with hands-on learning […]

8 days View Map

Alaska by Rail and Car Tour

Self-guided

This rail and road trip takes you from Anchorage to Fairbanks on a classic Alaska train trip aboard the Alaska Railroad with an independent tour by car from Fairbanks to Valdez, driving the scenic Richardson and Glenn Highways. The leisurely pace of this tour allows ample time to enjoy the wilderness experience of Denali National […]

8 days View Map

Quintessential Alaska: Denali, Glaciers & Fishing

Self-guided

Travel by train to see Denali National Park. Travel into Denali on a bus tour. Return to Anchorage by coach and pick up a rental car. Drive to Whittier for a glacier cruise in Prince William Sound. Spend two nights in Soldotna / Kenai city area and enjoy a full day of guided fishing. A […]

Unique Itinerary
14 days View Map

Alaska’s National Parks Tour by Car

Self-guided

Visit 4 National Parks: Kenai Fjords, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias and Katmai (or Lake Clark National Park) for bear viewing. Plus, an add-on opportunity for a 5th national park with a visit to Gates of the Arctic National Park (please get in touch with us). Experience Alaska’s diverse wildlife, natural history, and Native culture. See the […]

Active Tour
a group of people whitewater rafting in a canyon
9 days View Map

Adventure Driving Tour

Self-guided

Make Alaska your adventure-packed trip! On this driving tour, you’ll get active with white water river rafting, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in some incredible places, including Denali and the Kenai Peninsula.

8 days View Map

Discover Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula by Car

Self-guided

A relaxed driving tour of the Kenai Peninsula and a day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. Enjoy unlimited mileage in your midsize rental vehicle. Overnight stops in Seward, Homer, and Soldotna provide opportunities for world sport fishing, glacier, wildlife viewing, and various optional active adventures. A leisurely pace allows for multiple stops at exciting […]

UNIQUE Experiences
two canoes at a dock in Pederson Bay in Kenai Fjords National Park
13 days View Map

Alaska Lodge Driving Tour

Self-guidedSpecial experience

Travel to off-the-beaten-path locations, including overnights at wilderness lodges and inns that offer options for hiking, kayaking, and canoeing adventures. The touring route includes a spectacular flight into the expansive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve and the better-known but must-see Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities by land and sea […]

8 days View Map

Alaska’s Finest Self Driving Tour

Self-guided

This Alaska self drive tour is designed for independent traveler’s seeking the best available accommodations Alaska has to offer while road touring. Enjoy spectacular mountain, glacial and coastal scenery while visiting several must-see locations such as Prince William Sound and Talkeetna. It also includes two nights at a lodge at the Denali Park entrance.

4 days View Map

Nome & the Bering Land Bridge by Car

Self-guidedSpecial experience

This unique itinerary takes you to the remote Seward Peninsula. Included is round trip air travel from Anchorage to Nome for three nights and three days car rental to explore this diverse region independently. The Nome area offers an interesting mix of Alaska Native culture combined with a Gold Rush-era “Western” flavor. This is an […]

8 days View Map

Alaska Winter Driving Tour

Self-guided

Designed for independent travelers, this SUV (all-wheel) self-drive tour features a few days to explore Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs. The Fairbanks area is among the best places to experience the amazing northern lights. At Chena Hot Springs, admission is included in the healing mineral waters of natural hot springs. Both indoor and outdoor pools […]

8 days View Map

Alaska “On A Dime” Self-Drive Tour

Self-guided

This affordable driving tour is designed for travelers with a small budget. Explore two of Alaska’s most famous national parks (Denali and Kenai Fjords) at your own pace in only one week. This trip includes 7 nights hotel in more basic but comfortable accommodations, (space can limited) and one week of rental car. You have […]

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