Alaska D.I.Y. Roadtrips – Drive AK Yourself!

Published: March 11, 2021

If you’re the type of Alaska traveler who wants to take control your adventure from the driver’s seat, hands on the steering wheel, guiding your travel companions to every great Alaska destination and landmark on your bucket lists, you’ve come to the right place. All independent spirits who prefer driving themselves and their crew around the state’s spectacular road system can access many of Alaska’s most popular sights and adventures. Many of Alaska’s best experiences begin at the end of the road – close-up viewing of glaciers and bears, flightseeing around Denali and fishing for King Salmon – just to name a few!

At Alaska Tours, we can help you tailor your Alaska road trip to your specific interests, timeframe and budget. Consider us your road trip planning “pit crew”, ready to power you up to adventure, allowing you to indulge your curiosity while our team figures out all the logistics and books you into the best Alaskan places to stay. With over 16 Alaska self-drive itineraries as a starting point, you can get inspired and discover all the options available to you on a driving vacation in the 49th state.

Denali Park entrance captured

Check out the budget-friendly (7 nights starting at $1599) but big-time fun of Alaska on a Dime where you can combine a cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park and a bus tour through Denali with a visit to Seward and the Harding Ice Field.

Kenai Fjords National Park cruise from Seward with humpback whale breaching

At the other end of the Alaskan spectrum, you might also like to experience all of Alaska’s top hospitality venues, from start to finish, on Alaska’s Finest Tour. With stays at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Kantishna Roadhouse in Denali and top hotels in Anchorage and Talkeetna, you can adventure by day and then sit back and soak up the relaxation, comfort and cuisine by night!

Kantishna Roadhouse Cabins

Some Alaska driving trips focus on specific Alaska regions such as Discover Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula  takes you all over Alaska’s “playground” to Cooper Landing, Ninilchik, Moose Pass, Homer and Soldotna with overnight stops in Seward (Kenai Fjords National Park) and treats you to world class sport fishing, glacier and wildlife viewing.

On our Experience Kodiak Island self driving tour, you’ll get to experience excellent bear viewing while also learning about Alaska’s Alutiiq people, reaching back more than 7,500 years ago and the island’s more recent history as the first capital of Russian America.

You can navigate north almost to the Arctic Circle on our  Nome & the Bering Land Bridge Driving Tour, the part of Alaska made famous during the Gold Rush to see musk ox, moose and caribou as well as unusual species of migrating birds.

And for those who want to “see it all” in Alaska, we recommend our Circle Alaska Adventure Tour , a fun and educational trip for the whole family featuring explorations of Denali, Fairbanks, Valdez and Seward and offering terrific opportunities for scenic photography.

“All Alaska Adventurers” might also enjoy our All Alaska Classic Tour, 15 days of action-packed fun on a self-drive tour from Anchorage to Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks, Kennicott, Seward and Homer. You’ll visit 3 of Alaska’s iconic national parks including the massive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the wildlife and marine life paradise of Kenai Fjords National Park, and the landscapes and wildlife of Denali National Park.

On our Great Alaska Road Trip, you can explore Denali, Seward, and the Matanuska Valley the head south of Anchorage to Kenai Fjords National Park for a wildlife cruise in search of glaciers, whales, eagles, sea otters, porpoises, and more! You’ll also stay at a classic wilderness lodge off the beaten path in Alaska’s heartland.

Fisherman Spin Fishing Alaskan River Stream Alaska

At Alaska Tours, when it comes to planning Alaska travel, customizing your trip is, well, customary! Self-drivers most often first choose an itinerary that best fits their budget, trip length, and trip vibe – from family-focused (Family Fun Vacation), to action-packed (Adventure Driving Tour), to all of the above (Quintessential Alaska: Denali, Glaciers & Fishing). Travelers can also select the level of accommodations they prefer, including a package focused on the best in rustic and remote lodging (our Alaska Lodge Tour). It’s easy to then select add-ons to all travel packages to maximize your time on your Alaska vacation.

You’ll be pulling over on the side of the road to take countless photos, capture awe-inspiring moments, and visit curious restaurants and shops, all perks of choosing a self-driving tour. And there are also many great reasons to park your vehicle and hop aboard a different form of transportation on join a guided escapade. Excursions are easy to plan; from a bus tour deep into Denali National Park; a day spent cruising through awe-inspiring Kenai Fjords National Park; viewing the wildlife and wild Alaska landscapes on ride on the Alaska Railroad; or experiencing the thrills and chills of kayaking, rafting or the finest fishing with your rod and reel on the Kenai Peninsula.

So start your travel engines up and shift your Alaska daydreaming into overdrive! Let Alaska Tours put you in the drivers seat on the perfect Alaska road trip.