Planning a Motorcycle Trip in Alaska: Roads, Season and What to Expect

A motorcycle trip in Alaska fits a short summer window. Alaska's tourism board puts the longest daylight in June, and BLM campgrounds on the Dalton Highway open only from late May to early September. Riding up from the Lower 48 means 1,387 paved miles of the Alaska Highway through Canada. Once there, you choose between paved highways and long gravel or unpaved roads with few services.

Part of our motorcycle touring destinations series.

Key takeaways- Ride between late May and early September; north of Coldfoot, snow and ice are possible in any month.- The Alaska Highway runs 1,387 miles from Dawson Creek, BC, to Delta Junction and is paved and open all year.- The Dalton Highway is 414 miles to Deadhorse, with no medical facilities or grocery stores.- Alaska's helmet law covers passengers of all ages and riders under 18.- Crossing Canada, carry a valid passport.

When to ride Alaska

Plan around daylight, temperature and which roads are open. These are Travel Alaska's averages and the seasonal facts from road and park agencies:

The swing matters on a bike. A Fairbanks morning in May can start near freezing and reach the 60s by afternoon, so dress in layers you can add and remove at fuel stops.

Getting there: ride up or fly in

Riding the Alaska Highway

The Alaska Highway starts at Mile 0 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, crosses the Yukon and ends at Delta Junction, Alaska: 1,387 miles, paved and open year round. Add the miles from your home to Dawson Creek when you budget days.

Most of that ride is in Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency recommends US citizens carry a valid passport; it may accept other proof of citizenship and identity, such as an enhanced driver's licence. For Canadian routes beyond the highway itself, see planning a motorcycle trip in Canada.

Flying in and renting

If you are short on time, flying to Anchorage and riding a rented or shipped bike saves the Canadian transit. We have not compared rental companies or shipping costs; get current quotes before you decide.

Alaska's main riding roads

Distances come from Travel Alaska's highway guide and the BLM. A bike and tires that suit paved touring may not suit the Denali, Taylor or Dalton highways.

The Dalton Highway to the Arctic

The Dalton runs 414 miles from Livengood, 84 miles north of Fairbanks, to Deadhorse and the Prudhoe Bay oilfields. The two main sources describe the surface differently: the BLM calls it narrow, rough, steep and mostly gravel, with dust, slick mud and sudden potholes, while Travel Alaska calls it unpaved. Plan for both.

The BLM's Dalton Highway page lists what to prepare for:

• No medical facilities or grocery stores along the road.
• Very limited cell service, mainly around Coldfoot.
• Check tires and fluids, and carry extra motor oil and at least one spare tire.
• Use a CB radio on channel 19 if you can.
• Check road conditions at 511.alaska.gov before and during the ride.

North of Coldfoot, snow and ice are possible in any month. The BLM page lists no fuel stations, so confirm current fuel stops from local sources before you set out.

Denali National Park by motorcycle

Denali's only road entrance is at Mile 237 of the George Parks Highway. In summer, private vehicles may drive the park road only as far as the Savage River crossing at mile 15; in spring and fall, anywhere from 3 to 30 miles may be open, depending on conditions. The NPS page we used was last updated in October 2024, so check the park's current conditions page before you go.

Rules and safety

• Helmets: Alaska's law covers passengers of all ages, operators younger than 18 and riders on instructional permits. Adult riders without a permit are not covered, but helmets still matter on gravel and in cold rain.
• Wildlife and camping: campgrounds, bear-aware camping and food storage are covered in the complete guide to motorcycle camping.
• Scanning: on long, empty roads it is easy to stop looking far ahead. The California Motorcycle Handbook advises looking at least 10 to 15 seconds ahead.

What to wear for Alaska

Expect cold mornings, rain and dust, sometimes on the same day. Wear a warm mid-layer under your jacket, a rain layer on top, insulated gloves plus a lighter pair, and protection from the wind on your legs.

Chaps are one way to add a wind layer over jeans or riding pants. Leather Collection's motorcycle leather chaps are made in 1.1–1.3 mm cowhide to standard or custom sizes. Check our motorcycle trip packing list for the rest.

Compare other destinations

For a wetter, shorter-distance trip, see motorcycle touring in Ireland. For warm-weather riding, compare California or a winter ride down Baja.

Related guides

• Neil Peart rode to Alaska on the journey he wrote up as Ghost Rider; see Neil Peart’s motorcycle routes.
• For midnight-sun riding in Europe, see planning a motorcycle trip in Norway.

FAQ

Do you have to wear a helmet in Alaska on a motorcycle?

Only some riders must by law: passengers of any age, operators under 18 and those riding on an instructional permit.

What is the best motorcycle route to Alaska?

From the Lower 48, the paved Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek, BC, to Delta Junction is the classic land route, 1,387 miles long.

When is the best time for a motorcycle trip to Alaska?

Late May to early September covers the Dalton Highway campground season and the longest daylight. August brings more rain.