SUV Hire
Alaska

For a first-time visitor, the two most straightforward and scenic routes from Anchorage are the Seward Highway south and the Glenn Highway north. Both are well paved and maintained, with numerous designated pull-outs for safely enjoying the views. The Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm is particularly noted for its dramatic coastal scenery. Driving an SUV gives you a higher vantage point, improving visibility of the road and the landscape and adding confidence to your journey.

While navigation apps might indicate about four to five hours, it's sensible to allow at least six to eight hours for a realistic travel day. Summer is peak season for roadworks, especially around Wasilla and Palmer, which can cause significant delays. Allow time for spontaneous stops at viewpoints, a lunch break in Talkeetna, and potential slowdowns due to wildlife sightings along the Parks Highway.

A logical and enjoyable plan is to drive from Anchorage to Seward first, as it's the shorter leg. Spend a night or two exploring Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park. From there drive the scenic Sterling Highway to Homer and spend another couple of days. The final leg, driving directly from Homer back to Anchorage, is the longest, so dedicate a full travel day for it.

The Seward Highway is a modern, well-engineered road and part of the National Scenic Byways programme, so it's built to a high standard. It features wide lanes, clear markings and guardrails in most critical sections. An SUV's higher seating position can improve sightlines around bends and its stable handling provides a sense of security. To ease anxiety, drive in daylight, stay well within the speed limit and use the numerous pull-outs to let faster traffic pass.

Anchorage has several convenient options for stocking up after leaving the airport. Major supermarkets like Fred Meyer and Carrs-Safeway have multiple locations with large car parks that are easy to navigate in an SUV. You'll find them along the main routes out of town, such as the Seward Highway or the Glenn Highway. Stopping at one of these before you head too far from the city is the most efficient way to prepare for your trip.

The least stressful approach is to start with a full tank in Anchorage or the Wasilla area. Fuel stations are available in Talkeetna and Cantwell, but they become sparser further north. A good rule of thumb in remote areas is the half-tank rule: when your gauge hits halfway, start looking for the next station. This simple habit prevents anxiety about running low.

To get ahead of the heaviest southbound traffic, especially on a summer weekend, aim to be on the Seward Highway before 09:00. On weekdays, commuter traffic can build up, so leaving before 08:00 is ideal. The main bottleneck is where the highway narrows after the Potter Marsh weigh station; an early start lets you clear this area before the major rush, ensuring a more relaxed drive.

For accessible hikes, the Glen Alps Trailhead, which provides access to Flattop Mountain, is an excellent choice with a large paved car park. Another great option is Kincaid Park, which offers an extensive trail network with multiple spacious parking areas at the trailheads. The Eagle River Nature Centre also has a well-maintained access road and a designated visitor lot. All are easily reached in an SUV and don't require difficult roads.

Parking an SUV downtown is generally straightforward. Most hotels provide on-site parking for guests, either in an open lot or a dedicated garage. There are also several large public car parks, such as the one at the 5th Avenue Mall, that are centrally located. While it's sensible to check posted height-clearance signs, most standard and mid-size SUVs will fit in these commercial garages without issue.

Driving to Whittier involves passing through a unique single-lane tunnel that accommodates both cars and trains. The critical detail is the tunnel's strict operating schedule: it opens to traffic for a roughly 15-minute window in each direction once per hour. Check the official timetable online before you go and plan to arrive at the staging area at least 15–20 minutes before your scheduled opening time to ensure you make the crossing.

This is an ideal, easy day trip. Drive south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway for about an hour and take the well-signed turn-off for Portage Valley. A good plan is to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre first, which is located at the start of the valley. Afterwards continue down Portage Glacier Road to see the various glaciers, lakes and visitor centres, all of which have ample, accessible parking for an SUV.

The most direct route is to take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage to Palmer-Fishhook Road. The drive up to the Independence Mine State Historical Park area is paved and scenic. The part that can be stressful is the unpaved, high-elevation section over the summit; it can be narrow with steep drop-offs and no guardrails, so drive slowly and cautiously if you’re not used to mountain roads.

For an easy drive with constant scenic rewards, the Turnagain Arm section of the Seward Highway is the clear winner. The highway has dozens of large, well-signed, easily accessible paved pull-outs directly off the road, allowing safe and frequent stops. While the Mat-Su Valley is incredibly beautiful, appreciating its best scenery often requires navigating secondary roads and seeking specific viewpoints, making it a less straightforward scenic drive.

The road system in and around Anchorage will feel very familiar to anyone used to driving in the Lower 48. Signage, lane markings and traffic signals follow standard US conventions. Highway merges are generally long and clearly signed, giving you ample time to adjust speed and position. The main difference is the immense scale of the surrounding landscape, which can sometimes make distances and exits seem to appear more quickly than expected.

Moose encounters are a serious hazard in Alaska, so constant vigilance is key, particularly at dawn and dusk when they are most active. These animals are tall and dark, making them hard to see against asphalt or dense foliage. Scan the sides of the road as well as the pavement ahead and be prepared for sudden stops. The higher seating position of an SUV can provide a better vantage point for spotting them above roadside brush.

Rock chips are very common on Alaska highways due to gravel shoulders and frequent summer roadworks. The single best habit to reduce the risk of windscreen damage is to increase your following distance, leaving plenty of space between your vehicle and the one ahead, particularly large trucks. Also slow down considerably on unpaved sections or gravel pull-outs to avoid kicking up stones.

On the maintained gravel roads most visitors encounter, like the Denali Highway, a few key features make a big difference. Good ground clearance helps clear ruts and potholes. A suspension tuned for comfort will absorb bumps and vibrations, making the ride more pleasant. Finally, all-wheel drive (AWD) is highly beneficial as it provides improved traction and stability, especially if the surface is wet or loose.

Yes, an SUV can offer a significant confidence boost on several routes. Roads like the Denali Highway or the McCarthy Road are primarily gravel, where higher clearance and robust suspension are invaluable. During shoulder seasons (May and September) mountain passes such as Turnagain Pass or Hatcher Pass can see sudden snow or icy patches. In those situations, the added stability and traction of an AWD SUV can feel noticeably safer.

The most reliable strategy is to download offline maps of your entire planned route using your chosen navigation app before leaving your hotel in Anchorage. This stores map data on your phone so the GPS works even without a cellular signal. It's also wise to review your route beforehand so you have a general idea of key turns and town names as a backup.

Use the SUV's space strategically to stay organised. Keep bulky items like a cooler and luggage in the main cargo area. A simple tarp or a collapsible laundry bin works well for containing muddy boots and wet rain gear. Most importantly, keep essentials—bear spray, water bottles and daypacks—on the back seat or another easily accessible spot rather than buried under everything else.

The drive to Seward is very family-friendly. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre is an ideal stop, offering easy walking paths, toilets and a large, safe parking area. For shorter breaks, the paved pull-outs along Turnagain Arm, such as Beluga Point, are perfect for stretching legs and taking photos. Girdwood, a short detour off the highway, also has cafés, a good playground and public toilets.

The most frequent surprises are abrupt speed limit reductions when entering small towns along the highway. For example, the limit on the Seward Highway drops significantly when entering communities like Girdwood or Cooper Landing. Likewise, summer construction zones are common and have strictly enforced reduced limits. Paying close attention to signage is crucial to avoid issues.

The viewpoints along Turnagain Arm are largest and most plentiful on the southbound side of the Seward Highway. To avoid crowds, try a weekday or get an early start on a weekend morning before 10:00. Most pull-outs are large and designed for all vehicles, so even at busier times you can usually find a spot by driving to the next one down the road. An afternoon drive can also be less crowded as people head back to Anchorage.

Driving and parking an SUV in Girdwood is very common and generally easy. On busy summer weekends the main car parks at Alyeska Resort can fill up, particularly for events like festivals or weddings. However, there is typically well-signed overflow parking nearby. The town itself is small, and once parked most restaurants and shops are within pleasant walking distance from the resort area.

Summer is peak construction season, so expect potential delays on major highways including the Seward, Glenn and Parks Highways. Projects often involve lane closures and reduced speeds. Locals may use a network of surface streets to bypass some city traffic, but for a visitor on the main highways there are often no simple detours. Check the Alaska 511 website for current information and build extra time into your schedule.

A trip to Matanuska Glacier is straightforward with an SUV. The drive along the Glenn Highway is fully paved and scenic. Access to the glacier itself is managed by a private tour operator at Mile 102. Their entrance is clearly signed from the highway and they have a large designated car park where you'll leave your vehicle before joining a guided tour. The access road and parking are well maintained and suitable for any vehicle.

After a late arrival, the safest approach is to get to your hotel and get a good night's rest. Don’t try to fully pack and organise your vehicle in a dark car park late at night. Instead wake a little earlier the next morning. In daylight you can safely load your luggage, arrange snacks and drinks, set up navigation and do a quick walk-round of the SUV before you set off.

If you want to get comfortable with the size and handling of your SUV, find a large empty car park. During off-peak hours the lots at major shopping centres like the Dimond Centre or a large community space such as Kincaid Park are excellent choices. This lets you practise parking, turning and judging distances in a low-stress environment before heading onto the main highways.

Rain can significantly impact driving by reducing visibility and making surfaces slick. On the Seward Highway heavy rain can create spray from other vehicles, making it harder to see scenery and road markings. In mountain passes rain combined with cooler temperatures can lead to fog. The best response is to slow down, increase your following distance and ensure your headlights are on for visibility.

When using the Alaska Marine Highway System the key is to be punctual and prepared for a wait. You should check in and arrive at the ferry terminal well ahead of the scheduled departure time, often 60–90 minutes beforehand. You will be directed into a specific queue where you wait in your vehicle. Once loading begins follow the crew’s clear instructions for driving your SUV onto the vessel's car deck.

This is a classic Alaska road trip with good overnight options. To break up the long drive from Denali to Fairbanks, the small town of Healy, about 15 minutes north of the Denali park entrance, is very convenient. If you want to split the Anchorage to Denali leg, the charming town of Talkeetna is the perfect midway point, offering a range of lodgings and dining options a short detour from the main road.

You will share the road with many large recreational vehicles and tour buses, which often travel below the limit, especially on hills. The most important thing is patience. Use the designated passing lanes that appear periodically on major highways. On a two-lane road only pass when you have a very long, clear line of sight, as large vehicles can obstruct your view of oncoming traffic.

The drive to Homer is well serviced by towns along the Sterling Highway. The town of Soldotna, roughly the halfway point, is the largest hub and your best bet for a wide variety of options. You'll find numerous petrol stations, fast-food outlets and grocery stores directly on the highway. Smaller towns like Cooper Landing and Ninilchik also offer services, so you're never too far from a convenient stop.

The area around Seward's small boat harbour is well equipped for visitor parking. There are several large designated lots specifically for day-cruise passengers, and they are clearly signed. To ensure a stress-free experience plan to arrive in Seward at least 45 minutes to an hour before your cruise check-in time. This gives ample time to find parking, use the facilities and walk to your tour operator without rushing.

The safest method is to use designated paved viewpoints and pull-outs whenever possible. If you spot wildlife where there is no official pull-out, signal early and pull as far onto the right shoulder as you can, ensuring all four wheels are completely off the carriageway. Never stop in a travel lane and always check your mirrors for traffic behind you before slowing or pulling over.

A frequent point of confusion is the major highway interchange just north of downtown Anchorage where several routes converge. That's where you must choose between the Glenn Highway (for destinations like Palmer or Fairbanks) and the Seward Highway. Pay close attention to the large overhead signs for your highway number and destination. Having your GPS running before you leave your hotel will help you anticipate the correct lanes well in advance.

A little preparation goes a long way to keep your rental vehicle clean. Pack a few old towels or a cheap tarp to lay in the cargo area or on the floor mats where you'll store muddy boots. Bringing a couple of plastic bags is also a good way to isolate wet or dirty items. This simple system makes it easy to contain the mess from a day on the trails.

A good structure is to plan Talkeetna as a lunch stop. Leave Anchorage in the morning and you'll arrive in Talkeetna—about a two-hour drive—around midday. That gives you two to three hours to eat, stroll the distinctive downtown and see the sights. Afterwards you have a comfortable two-and-a-half-hour drive remaining to reach the Denali park entrance well before evening.

Travelling in May or late September requires flexibility and awareness of changing weather. The biggest surprise can be encountering snow or icy patches at higher elevations, such as Turnagain Pass on the Seward Highway or Hatcher Pass, even when Anchorage is clear. Roads can also be slick from overnight frost in the early mornings. An SUV, particularly one with all-wheel drive, offers extra stability for handling these unpredictable conditions.

You have excellent, easy-to-access options in either direction from Anchorage. Southbound on the Seward Highway, stops like Beluga Point and Windy Point Scenic Overlook are right off the road with large paved car parks. Northbound on the Glenn Highway, the Knik River and Matanuska River pull-outs offer striking glacier and mountain views. All are clearly signed and designed for easy entry and exit, making them perfect for a quick rewarding stop.