AppDawg

Better increase by 1/3, gas in Canada and AK is well over $4. It was $120 a liter when I was in BC back in Dec, so I imagine it's much more than that especially as you get out on the highway and that's the only ticket for miles around

5111

With the EcoBoost, I'm hoping to average about 20mpg on pure highway driving, which would be 500 gallons. I'm going to assume that I can average $4.50-$5.00/gal on the entire 10,000 mile trip which would make the total $2250-2500 for fuel.

Hotel costs are the other thing that will cost me big. I'm estimating 14 nights in hotel for the trip from DFW to Anchorage and back to Boise and hoping for an average of $100/night.

I won't average in food because I eat wherever I am and will probably combine grocery store food and restaurants for the trip.

kydsid

Ex-Alaskan/Texan made the trip a few times. Quart of extra fluids, not really needed on new vehicle, nor is gas cans-provided you stop every time you can for fuel. The biggest stretch between stations is 300 miles now I believe. Either one couldn't hurt.

Full size spare is a must..Replacements are very expensive in the deep of Canada. Two is better but not really needed.

DO NOT rely on the stock jack. Buy an aftermarket bottle jack or other that has excessive lift capabilities for the truck. Many of the pullouts on the Alcan I have helped numerous people with flats and stock vehicle jacks that could not lift the vehicle because of grades and slopes where stopped.

If someone is pulled over, broken down, hood up or otherwise in need of help, PULL OVER and help them as it might be you down the road.

If you see wildlife on the road DO NOT swerve to avoid it, try to slow down and just hit it. You are much more likely to be seriously injured and or die if you swerve. Broken truck is inconvient up there, broken arm could kill you.

Get flares for the vehicle. Triangles are useless, even in summer with the light.



10 gallons is only allowed cross border per Customs requirements and to prevent private citizen cross shopping and reselling.



Last but not least have fun.

Craddosk

I've driven every inch of the highway from Whitehorse YK to Edmonton, AB in the last year, half of it in a Ford Taurus. In the summer, make sure you fill up with gas in the towns (ex. Fort Nelson, Watson Lake, Whitehorse) and plan your distances accordingly. Roads are generally really good, so 1 full size spare will do you, as you can get it patched unless something really goes wrong.

Gas in Alberta is currently 1.20/liter, and in BC is 1.40/liter. Those are averages, but are a representation. Stop for a swim at Liard Hot Springs, it's very worth it. And plan on averaging 60mph (100km/hr) as that's the speed limit and allows you to see more on the side of the road. Bring gear to camp for a night or two in case something goes wrong (unlikely but things happen). Bring water bottles, snacks, etc. as you can go 3-5 hours without seeing an open place to eat.

In terms of critters, if you respect speed limits and pay attention, you should have absolutely no problems. If you plan on detouring on the Dempster Highway (near Dawson City), take a 2nd full size spare, as the shale highway is a tire destroyer. This is the only place it's really required.

10 years ago I did the trip in a Honda minivan, with 1 mini-spare and new tires. No issues, no problems, etc.

When you come through BC, take your time and explore. The scenery is gorgeous and there is lots to explore. Keep in mind cell service can be far and few in between towns (There is no cell service on major providers between Fort Nelson, BC, and Whitehorse, YK as of Sept. 2011 unless you had a cell booster in the truck).

If you have any more questions, feel free to shoot me a PM.

5111

Thanks for all the help so far guys.

Does anyone have an opinion of this, or better yet, experience with it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tchlink:top:en

I used a Colgan Bra on my Mustang whenever I took a long trip and I thought that it worked great, but I'm not sure about one on my truck. Of course, I would only use it for long trips. With a painted bumper and grill, this may help.

Opinions?

rigrat2011

i'm a canadian near edmonton alberta. i used to live in fort st john and fort nelson bc, as well as i grew up in grand prairie alberta.

gas doesn't seem too expensive to me, right now, the pumps are reading $1.129 per Liter.

myself, i'd hold off on buying gas cans in the USA. it would seem more feasable to buy a few jerry cans in canada and fill them up with canadian fuel for one reason... you don't have to explain anything to the border cross guards...

AND you're not losing MPG hauling the additional weight until you actually need it.

to the OP, if you need help in some way with advice out here man, you can ask me, or anyone else on here from there.

up here, we treat everyone like family.

5111

I am still working on this, but here is what I have so far. We will stay in Calgary and leave early in the morning via Banff. We are going to try to make it in to Grande Praire. It is a fairly long day and we will want to stop a lot, but there aren't a lot of lodging options on that route without breaking the bank. Day 2 would be from Grande Praire to Ft. Nelson. It is just under 400 miles so shouldn't be too rough. Day 3 is Ft. Nelson to Watson Lake and only 320 miles, but if I keep going to Whitehorse on that day it makes for a VERY long day. So Day 4 would be Watson Lake to Whitehorse.

Do you have any personal recommendations for lodging along this route? I'm trying to keep from dropping $150/night and was hoping for closer to $100/night. I'm considering the Super 8 in Ft. Nelson since it is only $20 more than most and seems MUCH nicer and maybe the Air Force Lodge in Watson lake for $85, but no private bathroom.

Also, how possible/safe would it be to find a place to pull over and park somewhere along this route? We could sleep under the tonneau cover on an air mattress. We wouldn't do that regularly, but a couple of nights would free up some cash...remember, we are teachers!

Craddosk

Lots of places to pull over and park/sleep. Including rest areas, gravel roads, etc. Calgary to Grande Prairie in a day is doable, but you won't be stopping much. Especially if you take the Icefields Parkway up. Go Calgary to Jasper/Hinton, then Jasper/Hinton to Ft. Nelson. Take the time going through the parkway as there is lots to see. Tent if you have to, as it's gorgeous country.

The highway from Hinton to Grande Prairie through Grande Cache is nice, and there are numerous animals, so watch out for those. The Pomeroy in Grande Prairie is nice, and the Lakeview Inn and Super 8 in Ft. Nelson are both nice. Stayed there last summer. Staying under $100 a night in summer is going to be tough unless you're willing to tent.

Shoot me a PM if you have more questions. If you want extra travelling, look into the route through BC going through Prince George, NW to Ft. St. John then to Ft. Nelson. Pricier for gas, but more mountains, more remote, and less agricultural area (around Grande Prairie).

rigrat2011

current gas prices are 1.029 in alberta in most places.

valemont ab is 1.389 because its in never never land.

bc (fort st john and further north) does get expensive.

last i seen, 1.429


all numbers are dollars PER LITER.

nlitend1

How about looking at b&b's sometimes cheaper may save taxes as well.
Recomend going through the okanagan if you like wineries & nice lakes. Lots of fresh fruit too.
Gasbuddy.CA for current fuel pricing. Free app for your phone aswell.