Recent Alaska Shipping News

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Your car’s air conditioning in Alaska
Your Car’s heat in Alaska
Final Word
 

Your car’s air conditioning in Alaska

Just like most places, Alaska can get pretty warm in the summer. In Alaska, the average summer temperatures range from sixty to eighty degrees depending on where you are exactly. So, you might not use your air conditioning in your car as often as you would somewhere else, but you can bet you will need it for at least a few weeks each year.

So, you should be sure that you get your air conditioning serviced and checked for leaks each year before the weather gets too warm. If you do not you might have to end up spending some warm days in your car with only the windows open. Although, there are several things that you can do throughout the year to ensure that your vehicle’s A/C keeps running well.

The first is that you should run the air conditioning in your car each week for at least ten minutes and that does include during the winter. Doing this will help keep the compressors working and running correctly. Next, you should run the defrost mode for a few minutes each week in order to get rid of any excess moisture which can lead to mildew.
 

Your Car’s heat in Alaska

The heat in your car In Alaska bears much more of an importance than your air conditioning does because of the potential for extremely cold temperatures during the winter. This is the exact reason why you need to make absolute certain that your heat is running well before the cold Alaskan winter hits.

The first thing you will need to do is make sure that there is enough coolant in the engine. The coolant will all the heater’s core to function correctly, so check frequently and make sure that there is enough of it. Next, you might have leaks. You can check this yourself if you know what you are doing. Finally, you should always keep your eye on the heater’s thermostat. If you happen to notice that the thermostat’s temperature never changes, even when you know the temperature of the engine has, you might need to replace it.

Of course, all of the above can easily be checked by a mechanic. If you do use a mechanic, be sure you get these things checked at least once each year.
 

Final Word

The air conditioning and heat in your car are essential to your comfort and, sometimes, to your safety. You cannot just glide by assuming that your heat and A/C will function great forever. There are several small tasks that you can complete or have a mechanic complete that will greatly extend the proper performance of both.

If you need your car shipped to or from Alaska you can always get a free shipping quote and learn more right here.

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Juneau 101
How to get your car to Juneau
Juneau’s best sights
Final word
 

Juneau 101

Juneau is the second most populated city in Alaska and it is located on the southern most portion of Alaska on the Alaskan panhandle. It is also the capital city of Alaska. The city is not connected to the rest of Alaska by road. So, any supplies, goods or people can only come to the city via boat or plane.

Juneau has a population of just over 31,000 people each year. The people of Juneau primarily work in government, tourism and fishing primarily. Juneau is over 3,000 square miles in terms of area which makes it one of the largest boroughs in the entire country.
 

How to get your car to Juneau

As we mentioned, Juneau is not accessible by road. So, driving there is not an option. You only have one option in terms of getting your car there, shipping it. Thankfully, shipping a car to Juneau is simple.

If you need your car shipped to Juneau, you should start by contacting your car shipping company for a quote which will let you know the estimated price and shipping duration. After that you will need to get in touch with the shipping company and schedule your shipment. In order to get your preferred dates of pickup and delivery you should do all of this at least a month in advanced.

Once you have your shipment booked and scheduled, all you will need to do at that point is prepare for your upcoming shipment. You can do all of the preparation in the days before your shipment. First, you will need to get the outside of the car completely cleaned so that your driver can quickly and efficiently perform their inspection for preexisting damage. Next, you should make sure that you do not have any personal items in the car. If they are damaged or lost during shipping your personal effects will not be covered by the car shipping insurance. Finally, make sure the car is running and functioning correctly, otherwise it will not be able to be shipped.
 

Juneau’s best sights

Juneau has many wonderful sights that you can take your car at least part of the way to see. Here are a few:

• Alaska State Museum –
• Mendenhall Glacier –
• Eagle Beach –

Final word

Juneau is Alaska’s capital city and it should be high on your list of places to visit when you are in Alaska. It is unfortunately inaccessible by road so you will need to take a plane or boat there. If you want your own car there and want to skip the expense of renting a car, you will need to ship your car to Juneau. Once you have your car there, you will much more easily be able to access the great sights of the wonderful city.

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The kinds of cars you will find at the museum
Tours, pricing, hours and parking
Conclusion
 

The kinds of cars you will find at the museum

If you are ever in the Fairbanks area in Alaska, you need to take some time out of your schedule to check out the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. It is full of vintage cars from the very first cars on the road through the art-deco era of cars. There is something for everyone at this musuem.

The museum includes some of Alaska’s very first cars. Other cars that are featured in the collection include the Cadillac Model A, Rambler Model L, Ford Model T, Sheldon Runabout, Oakland Model 212 All-American Landau Sedan, Ford V-8 4-door Phaeton and much more.

Arguably, the best part of the museum could be considered the fact that the vast majority of the cars in the collection still run and are driven around the vast grounds of the museum when the weather permits.
 

Tours, pricing, hours and parking

Before you visit the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum you should familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of the museum. This includes the tours, pricing, hours and parking.

As far as tours, the museum offers three main types of tours: school/youth group tours, two hour guided tours and one hour guided tours. You will need to contact the museum to book a tour. The museum requires that you book any school or youth group tours at least two weeks in advanced. However, we recommend you reserve a tour in advanced regardless of the type of tour. You can book a tour using this form.

The prices for a visit to the museum vary by age. For ages 13 and up the price of admission is twelve dollars, for 6 to 12 years old is six dollars and it is free for five and under. The museum hours vary by season. In the summer the hours are Wednesdays and Sundays 12PM until 4PM. In the winter the hours are 12PM until 6PM. Summer hours run from June 3rd until September. The winter hours run from September 22nd on. Parking is free for all visitors and dropping off and picking up guests is allowed as well.

There is also a gift shop on the premises. There are shirts, sweatshirts, books, jewelry, collectibles and more to choose from.
 

Conclusion

The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum one of the better car museums in the entire country. If you are in Alaska and anywhere near Fairbanks, you should make a point to visit it. It has some of the first cars ever driven in Alaska including the very first one. It also has incredible collection of other antique and operational vehicles. The shop has limited hours but tickets are cheap and parking is free.

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The importance of visibility while driving in Alaska
How to keep your headlights working well
Conclusion
 

The importance of visibility while driving in Alaska

Alaska has some pretty harsh weather and dark roads. It also has some of the more frequent animal crossings of any state. These are not small animals either. If you do not have headlights that are completely reliable and very well lit, you are risking getting into a serious accident in Alaska.

As bad as a “serious accident” will be no matter where it occurs, it could become deadly if you are stranded in one of the many remote parts of Alaska when the accident occurs. This is because passerbys will be scarce and communication will be very limited as cell service can be poor or even non-existent in more remote areas.

The lighting on Alaska’s highways is limited when you are not near a populated area such as Anchorage or Fairbanks. So, you cannot rely on streetlights or lights from other cars to supplement subpar headlight lighting either.

The more extreme weather during the winter can decrease your visibility in a big way. In fact, a snowstorm can decrease visibility to a quarter mile or less. To put that into perspective, if you are traveling at a speed of 30 miles per hour, you will reach your furthest point of visibility in 30 seconds. That is why driving slow in winter weather as well as having strong headlights is extremely important in Alaska.

Finally, even when the weather is clear, your headlights can save you from a bad situation. There is a lot of wildlife in Alaska that can stroll or run out into the road unexpectedly. This includes, moose, deer, bears, wolfs, caribou and more. Many of these animals are huge and can easily weigh several hundred pounds. So, on top of the guilt you will feel for hitting an animal with your car, there will likely be a ton of damage due to the size of these animals. Sometimes, cars end up totaled by hitting one of these animals. That being said it is easy to miss one of these animals in the dark of night.
 

How to keep your headlights working well

Your headlights are obviously of great importance in Alaska. Here are some ways that you can get the most out of your headlights in Alaska:

• Get the right headlights – It is critically important that you get the right headlights for driving in Alaska. We recommend LED or Xenon lights as both are considerably brighter than typical headlights.
• Keep spares – Headlights can burn out inexplicably, especially if they are used very often as they will be in Alaska. Make sure that you keep some spares in your car just in case.
• Don’t forget the brights – In terms of seeing out on dark Alaska highways, there are many cases in which your brights will end up being more important than your regular headlights. So, make sure that you have strong and functioning brights in Alaska.
• Keep them clean and clear – Your headlights will not be able to produce a maximum amount of brightness for a maximum amount of distance if they are covered with dirt or snow. Alaska’s roads produce a lot of dirt and snow so check your headlights each time before you start driving.

Conclusion

Your headlights are essentially a lifeline in Alaska. This is especially true during the winter months when inclement weather will greatly impact visibility. Always be sure that your headlights and brights are functioning properly. Clear off your headlights before you start driving and always keep a spare set in your car just in case a light burns out.

If you have a car with trustworthy headlights and need it in Alaska, there is no need to travel to get it yourself. You can always have the vehicle transported to Alaska by Alaska Car Transport!

Jump to section:
What cold weather does to your tires
How snow and ice affect your tires
Tire safety in Alaska
Conclusion
 

What cold weather does to your tires

When it gets cold, air contracts. Thus, cold weather causes tire pressure to drop. Tires that are underinflated can cause increased friction and overall wear and tear on your tires. Low tire pressure can also lead to flats and blowouts which can quickly lead to an accident. So, you should check your tire pressure on a weekly basis when you have a car in Alaska.
 

How snow and ice affect your tires

During the winter months in Alaska, you will face a considerable amount of snow and ice on the road. This will directly lead to a loss of traction. That is why you should get winter tires in Alaska. These tires have deeper treads which grip the road better leading to better traction and a better ability to steer.

There are a few types of tires that you can choose from. The first type are all-season tires. All-season tires are believed to be fine for winter driving because of their name. However, that is not true. They are fine for driving in any temperature but not for driving on ice and snow.

You can also opt to use studless winter tires. As you might expect from the name, studless winter tires do not have studs. They are the most modern type of tire that you can get for winter driving. They have advanced treads and advanced rubber. The treads on the tires do not become stiff and frozen when driving on snow and ice. Regular and all-season tires are unable to do this. The difference is in the chemistry and makeup of the rubber used to make the tires.

Finally, you can choose to get studded winter tires. These tires come with metal studs that cut into snow and ice for more traction. The issue with studded tires is that they get such good traction that the studs can dig into the asphalt which causes damage to roads. Thus, many states have made it illegal for drivers to use them during non-winter months. In Alaska, it is illegal to use studded tires from the middle of April through the end of September. So, the drawback here is that you will need to get your tires changed twice annually.
 

Tire safety in Alaska

The most important thing about your tires is that they are not putting you in any danger when you drive. Use these tips to keep your tires functioning correctly and safely:

• Rotate – Getting your tires rotated once each year can reduce uneven wear on certain tires and will keep them more effective for longer.
• Pressure – Check your tire pressure every week, especially when the weather gets much colder or warmer.
• Inspection – When you check your tire pressure, make sure that you also conduct a visual inspection of each tire. Look for leaks or signs of increased wear. If you find any of these, take your car into a tire shop and see if you need new tires or if you can get your current ones repaired.
• Mileage – As a general rule, you can use new tires for about 50,000 miles of driving. Mark down your mileage when you get new tires, then get new ones after 50,000 miles if they have not already worn out by then.

Conclusion

The cold weather in Alaskan winter can cause the pressure in your tires to drop significantly. You need to make sure that all of your tire’s pressure are at the right level in order to avoid a flat or blowout which can be very dangerous.

The frequent snow and ice can cause difficult and hazardous driving conditions. Your tires are quite important when it comes to being able to navigate this. This is why you should have or switch to some sort of winter tire before the snow season in Alaska each year.

Jump to section:
Renting
Buying or Leasing
Shipping a car to Alaska
Final word
 

Renting

When you travel to Alaska, you will need to get around one way or another. You could use public transportation, rise-share apps or walk but those are all not ideal options. Ideally, you would have access to a car so you could drive yourself around.

As far as having your own car in Alaska, you have a few options. The first is to rent a car. Although renting a car will save you the expense of buying a new car, it is likely your worst option. Think of it in terms of an investment. If you are paying for something that you will never own nor are you getting any closer to owning it, it is not a good investment.

So long as you continue to rent you will continue to throw money away. This is not scalable or
 

Buying or Leasing

Another option is to buy or lease a car. The primary difference between these two is that when you buy a car, you pay for the full value of the car whereas when you lease a car you only pay for the portion of the car because you will only be able to use it for a term of time. The other main difference between the two is that when you buy a car there are no restrictions on how you use the car whereas when you lease a car, you will have several restrictions on how you use the car.

Both of these options will be more affordable in a longer-term sense than renting a car will be. However, you do not even need to get a completely new car in order to avoid driving all the way to Alaska. You can always ship your current car.
 

Shipping a car to Alaska

The most cost effective and convenient option for having a car in Alaska is for you to ship it there. When you choose to ship your car to Alaska, you will not need to make any monthly payments on the shipment as it will be a one-time payment. You also will not need to drive all the way to Alaska through Canada.

Shipping your car to Alaska is simple. You just need to call your car shipping company, book your shipment and prepare your car for shipping. Your auto transporter will take care of the rest.

When you call to book your shipment, you will just need to have a few simple pieces of information ready. This includes the make and model of your car, the addresses of your pickup and drop-off locations and your preferred shipping dates. We recommend that you book your shipment a month in advanced so that you get the dates of shipping that you prefer.

In terms of preparation for your shipment you will just need to do a few easy things. First, you should remove any personal items from your car because they will not be covered by the auto transport insurance if they are damaged or lost. You will also need to make sure that you get the car washed before your driver arrives to pick your car up. This helps tremendously in expediting the visual inspection that is required to take place in order to look for pre-existing damage.

Finally, you might be wondering how long it might take to get your car shipped to Alaska. That depends entirely on where you are shipping it from. If you are shipping from the west coast from somewhere like Los Angeles it will typically take about seven to nine days. If you are shipping from the east coast from somewhere such as New York, it will take about ten to fourteen days.
 

Final word

There are a bunch of options when it comes to getting around Alaska. The best and most convenient is to have a car. You have a few different options in terms of having a car in Alaska. These include renting one, leasing or buying a car or shipping a car there. These are all viable options but they all more expensive than shipping your car to Alaska.

Jump to section:
Alaska’s Weather and its effect on fuel economy
The importance of fuel economy in Alaska
Tips for improving fuel economy
Final word
 

Alaska’s Weather and its effect on fuel economy

In cold weather, your car’s fuel economy will decrease. This happens for a number of reasons. The first is that it will take your car’s engine longer to reach an optimal operating temperature, thus your engine will need to work harder than normal and will burn more fuel in the process.

Using four-wheel drive, heaters and heated seats will also contribute to a faster rate of fuel being burned. If the roads are snowy and/or icy, your tires will need to work harder to grip the road which will drain fuel faster as well. On top of that, the pressure of the tires will be decreased in cold weather, which will decrease their performance and will lower fuel economy.

Finally, cold air is more dense than warm air. This will cause more resistance on your car as you drive which will decrease your overall fuel economy.
 

The importance of fuel economy in Alaska

Fuel economy is important anywhere you drive. However, maximizing the use you get out of your fuel is particularly important in Alaska because longer drives are more frequent in Alaska as things and cities are more spread out than most other states. Also, if you ever get stuck out on the road during inclement weather, your fuel can be a crucial lifeline.

In terms of how much money having a lower fuel economy will cost you in Alaska, it will not be that much. Gas prices are quite low in Alaska, but in a relative sense, you will be throwing money away by having a lower fuel economy.
 

Tips for improving fuel economy

You can always improve your fuel economy at least a little bit by implementing the following tips:

• Do what you can to keep your car warm when you are not driving it – If you keep your car from getting too cold by doing things like keeping it in a garage you can increase fuel economy.
• Keep your tires properly inflated – Having low tire pressure will increase rolling resistance which will cause the engine to work harder thus decreasing fuel economy.
• Avoid idling – If your engine is running, you are burning fuel. So, when you are “warming up” your car your fuel economy is decreasing by the minute.
• Change out your oil – Get your oil changed to an appropriate winter oil compatible with your particular type of car.
• Minimize use of heated features – Using the heater or heated seats will increase how hard your engine is working and will cause you to burn fuel more rapidly.

Final word

Alaska’s cold winter weather will make it more difficult to maintain a decent fuel economy for your car. Although, if you make the effort, you will be able to minimize the effect that cold weather will have on how fast your engine burns fuel.

If you are moving to Alaska or heading here for an extended stay, you can have your own car here without having to drive all the way. Call the car shipping experts at Alaska Car Transport today at (907) 331-3100!

Jump to section:
How your car can get dirty quick in Alaska
How having a clean car will help driving
Why you need your car clean for shipping
Final word
 

How your car can get dirty quick in Alaska

In snowy and slushy weather in Alaska, your car with get really dirty really quickly. However, even when there is not any inclement weather, your car can still get much dirtier much more quickly in Alaska. That is because the left-over sand and dirt on the road from previous inclement winter weather can easily kick up and get on your car.

Consider too that when the snow melts in the spring, it causes a bunch of extra dirt grime and dust out on the road. This can also get all over your car for months after it settles. So, many people end up getting their car washed on a weekly basis in Alaska, especially in the spring.
 

How having a clean car will help driving

Believe it or not, keeping the exterior of your car clean will help you drive better. One such way keeping your vehicle clean in Alaska will aid your driving is by giving you better visibility. By keeping all your windows clean, you will be able to see a maximum distance down the road.

You will also have better fuel economy by keeping your car clean. By regularly washing your car, you will be allowing air to move across its surface more freely and quickly which decreases resistance thus increasing fuel efficiency.

Finally, washing your car can help improve your tire’s performance while driving. By getting the tires cleaned, you are clearing them of dirt and debris that can build up which will cause harder handling of the wheels.
You can find car washes all over Alaska. Here are links to listings for car washes in Alaska’s most popular areas:

• Anchorage
• Fairbanks
• Juneau
• Sitka

Why you need your car clean for shipping

One of the few things that you will need to do to prepare for your car shipment is to make sure that the exterior is completely clean. This is because your auto transport driver will need to conduct a thorough inspection of the exterior of the vehicle for pre-existing damage.

If you fail to do this the inspection will still need to take place. However, it will take much longer than if the car was washed. Your auto transport driver will need to take more time to look over each part of the car. This will be a waste of both your and your driver’s time.
 

Final word

Getting your car washed in Alaska is important for more than just appearances. Getting your car washed regularly will help you drive better and more safely. If you plan on shipping your car, it is highly recommended that you get it washed before your auto transport driver arrives for pickup. Otherwise, your pickup will take much longer than originally anticipated.

Jump to section:
Should you drive or ship your car to Anchorage?
What you need to know about driving and parking in Anchorage
What you should see with your car in and around Anchorage
Conclusion
 

Should you drive or ship your car to Anchorage?

If you are headed to Anchorage, Alaska and you want to take your car with you, you will have two options. You can drive it all the way there or you can ship it there. Driving there can take a while depending on where you are driving from.

Seattle would be one of the shortest drives would be from Seattle, Washington which typically takes just under two days if you drive non-stop. Driving to anchorage from Los Angeles would take about sixty hours if you drove non-stop. Obviously, these drives would take longer than the times we just listed because you must stop for rest along the way.

The other issue with driving to Alaska will be getting across the Canadian border. You will need to have your passport with you, and it will add some considerable time to your trip as well.

You can always ship your car to Anchorage from anywhere in the United States. It will take more time than driving it does, but it will take much less energy and will allow you to take a quick plane ride there yourself and simultaneously get your car to Anchorage. Shipping your car to Anchorage from Seattle will take between six and eight days. From Los Angeles, shipping your car to Anchorage will take between eight and ten days.
 

What you need to know about driving and parking in Anchorage

Once you have your car in Alaska, you will need to know a few things about driving and parking there. Driving is pretty typical. There is the most traffic that there is anywhere else in Alaska. But that is to be expected because Anchorage has the highest population of any city in Alaska. The traffic we are referring to is a high number of cars, there are rarely traffic jams in Anchorage.

Driving can be a bit more difficult when there is winter weather. The same goes for anywhere else in the world. However, winter weather in Anchorage can be particularly harsh. So, be sure that you keep your car winterized when winter months approach and always keep your eye on the forecast.

Then there is parking. Parking will likely be more of an issue than traffic itself will be in Anchorage. Free parking can be pretty scarce in Anchorage at times. So, if you cannot find parking for free, you can look for a paid option. Anchorage does have some garages where you can pay for a spot.
 

What you should see with your car in and around Anchorage

Having your car in Anchorage will allow you to do and see a few things that you will not want to miss.

• Anchorage Museum
• The Northern Lights
• Kincaid Park
• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Conclusion

The most convenient and least stressful way to get your car to Anchorage, Alaska is to ship it there. Driving is an option but it will take several days, require stays in hotels and that you have your passport and spend time at the Canadian and American borders because you have no choice but to travel through Canada. Once you do get your car to Alaska, be ready for driving in some more serious winter weather conditions as well as a limited amount of parking in Anchorage. When you are there, do not miss the opportunity to see some of the states best attractions and sights.

Jump to section:
Making your car as safe as can be
The safest cars for driving in Alaska
Tips for driving safely in Alaska
Final word
 

Making your car as safe as can be

In Alaska, when you consider the inclement weather, car safety is of the utmost importance. You need to be prepared for an emergency situation where you get stranded. However, you can and should do everything that you can in order to prevent such as situation.

You should start by making sure that you have the right tires. All-weather tires are crucial with the possibility of snow and ice. They also work well normally and with rain, so you will not need to switch when the seasons change.

Next, you should make sure that your car is in tip-top shape. You need to be sure that the engine is working as well as all the other things such as the headlights.

Finally, you need to make sure that you are set up for the maximum amount of safety. This includes getting a review camera if possible and some way to use your cell phone hands free.
 

The safest cars for driving in Alaska

There are several cars that are better choices in terms of safety when it comes to driving in Alaska. This includes the Subaru Crosstrek, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota RAV4. These cars come with all-wheel drive and come with tires that have excellent traction. They all also have a bunch of storage space, so you will be able to store whatever emergency supplies that you might need to store.
 

Tips for driving safely in Alaska

On top of having the right type of car, you can also use the following tips to drive safely in Alaska:

• Watch your speed – Speeding, especially in inclement weather, is the easiest way to get into an accident. So just be sure you obey the speed limit.
• Invest in your headlights – Reliable headlights are crucial when you are driving in Alaska. The nights get dark and the roads get hard to traverse when it snows. Being able to see the maximum amount is important.
• Keep a safe distance – It might seem simple, but a lot of people do not keep safe distances when they are driving behind someone. As a rule of thumb, you should always stay at least two seconds behind any driver.
• Have emergency supplies – In case you do get stranded or stuck in the snow, you should have some emergency supplies handy. This includes road flares, gloves, an extra coat, kitty litter (for traction), jumper cables, water, spare tire and a first aid kit.

Final word

Driving safely in Alaska is not that difficult as long as you drive carefully. Try not to drive in the middle of any storms if possible. You should also be prepared for an emergency by having extra emergency supplies in your car at all times as well as a way to contact help if you do get into any sort of an accident.