Recent Alaska Shipping News

The cheapest flights to Alaska

You have chosen to ship your car to Alaska instead of trying to drive it there. We do not blame you. The drive to Alaska can take a week or longer depending on where you are driving from and how long you are taking breaks for. Shipping your car to Alaska might take a few extra days than driving would but you won’t have to deal with the stress of driving through multiple states and Canada to get your car there.

Now, you spent the money on shipping your car to Alaska. So, you likely want to save on the flight there. The good news is you can. The following list will help you sort through all the possible options and find yourself a cheap flight to Alaska:

• Kayak – Kayak is a long trusted site that has been in business for a decade and a half. They have over two billion searches per year on their site from people looking for travel information and deals of flights, hotels and more.
• Trip Advisor – Trip Advisor is another great site to check out and compare information about cheap flights to Alaska on. Trip Advisor has been around for almost two decades now since its founding in the year 2000. Based on last year’s data, it is the world’s largest travel site.
• Expedia – Expedia was founded back in 1996. It’s a full-service travel site that can help you with almost any of your travel needs from flights to attractions. The site boasts over thirty million travel related reviews.
  

• Travelocity - Travelocity is another trusted and even more well marketed site for finding flights and other travel arrangements. You likely recognize their name from their entertaining television commercials. They are owned by Expedia.
• CheapFlights – Cheapflights is a subsidiary of Kayak. It was founded over twenty years ago. It is another great choice if you are looking to get a discounted flight to Alaska.
• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is another travel fare aggregator website and was founded back in 2002. It is another well-known and trusted alternative to finding cheap flights. It is owned by Ctrip which is the biggest travel company in China.

The most convenient flights to Alaska

You might not care that much about the cost of your flight to Alaska. You may just want a nice and stress-free experience during your flight. Most airlines will have regular flights which all have the typical boarding and flight processes.

However, some airlines have higher rates of things like mishandled baggage or rate of overall complaints.

If you want to avoid airlines with those sorts of negative marks against them and don’t mind paying a little extra in the process, you should consider flying with the following airlines:

• Alaska Airlines – Alaska Airlines is the top airline for flying to and from Alaska. They started their operations almost seventy-five years ago and has most of it’s operations and hubs on the west coast of the United States. You can get a flight on Alaska from almost anywhere in the US though. Flights from New York’s JFK airport to Anchorage, Alaska cost between seven hundred and a thousand dollars as of February 2019.
• Delta – Delta started its operations almost a century ago back in 1929. It has long been one of the biggest and most trusted names in air travel. They offer many flights to Alaska which can vary greatly in price depending on when you are traveling, where exactly in Alaska you are traveling to or from and what class of ticket you choose.

Tips for flying to Alaska

If you are flying to Alaska for the first time you might want some advice on making the most out of your flight. You can use the following tips during your flight to Alaska:

• Deal with your flight online – Most airlines now have apps that you can download to your phone. On these apps, you can check-in for your flight, check out your flight status and much more. This can help you save a lot of time during the boarding process.
• Dress for your destination – If you are traveling to Alaska during the winter months it will be quite cold when you step out of the airport. Make sure that you dress warm enough for that weather. At the very least, put another coat and/or pair of gloves in your carry-on luggage so you can put it on when you arrive.
• Measure your carry-on bag – Make sure that you measure your carry-on bag so that you don’t have to end up checking it. Each airline will have their own specifications regarding this so be sure to check the airline’s website or to give them a call before you pack for your flight.
• Double-check what you can and can’t carry-on – Be sure that you properly limit any liquids, creams, gels and aerosols. They must be less than three and a half ounces per item. Keep them in a bag that is easy to access when you are at the checkpoint.
• Be sure to factor in leg room – Flights to Alaska can be pretty long. Many make use of connecting flights. Be sure that if you have any comfort related issues that could require extra leg room that you purchase a seat with enough space.

Conclusion

Your flight to Alaska can unfortunately get complicated in several areas. We hope this guide will help you as much as possible.

Either way, your car shipment to Alaska should not be. That’s why you should ship with Alaska Car Transport. Worry about your flight, not your vehicle shipment.

Alaska has many automotive service shops. This makes sense because cars always need more service the colder the weather gets.

However, some of these shops might not have great reputations. That is why we assembled the following list, so you can choose from the best of the best for your automotive service needs.
 

Anchorage

• L & M Motors Inc. - In business for over thirty years L & M Motors Inc. is a very reputable automotive service shop in Anchorage. They offer service for alignment, brakes, tires, transmissions, oil changes and much more. You can call them at 907-563-4994.
• Big O’s Automotive – Big O’s Automotive has been a renowned name in Anchorage automotive service for over two decades. Big O’s offers engine repair, fluid changes, brake repairs, alignments, transmission service, tune-ups and more. Call them at (907) 272-5461.
• Artic Import Repair – Another auto repair shop in Anchorage in business for over thirty years, Artic Import Repair offers a wide variety of services. These services include: engine repair, oil changes, air conditioning service and inspections. Give them a call at (907) 277-3399
• Fair Repair AK – Fair Repair AK offers oil changes, tire rotations, part replacement and much more. You can contact them at (907) 563-0700.
• Vato’s Garage – Vato’s offers brake services, engine repair, suspension services, tire rotation, and more. You can make an appointment by calling them at (907) 272-0000.

Fairbanks

• Right Choice Automotive Repair – With over twenty-five years of experience, Right Choice Automotive Repair has long been a popular choice for the people of Fairbanks. They specialize in tune-ups, engine repairs, transmissions, heating, air conditioning and much more. Call them at (907) 322-2886.
• Grrr Safety and Services LLC – Grrr Safety and Services LLC was opened in 2016. They offer brake services, oil changes, engine repair, air conditioning services, tire rotation and a bunch more. You can call them for an appointment at (907) 371-0700.
• Simard Automotive – Simard Automotive is one of the most trusted names in Fairbanks when it comes to automotive service. They offer most automotive repair services you can think of such as: air conditioning, brakes, diagnostics, oil changes and emissions to name a few. You can call them at (855) 690-0889. They do have two locations in Fairbanks, so be sure to ask them which one your appointment is at.
• University Chevron – University Chevron has been in business since 1977. They specialize in engine service, brake repair, vehicle inspections and oil changes. They are also a NAPA AutoCare Center. Call them at (866) 833-7317.
• The Front End Shop – The Front End Shop was opened back in 1983. They offer inspections, tire rotation, brake services, suspension services, oil changes and more. Get in touch with them by calling (907) 479-7550.

Juneau

• Fix Auto Juneau – Fix Auto Juneau specializes in dent repair, collision repair, and paint repair amongst other things. They can be reached at (877) 816-9058.
• Foreign Auto Repair – Foreign Auto repair does a little bit of everything. They fix alignments, batteries, belts, brakes, tires, front ends and more. They also offer diagnostics and oil changes. You can contact them at (907) 789-9778.
• Mike Hatch Auto Sales and Service – Mike Hatch Auto Sales and Service has been in business since 1979. Thy offer diagnostics, oil changes, inspections, tire service and more. They also offer “courtesy rides” which are rides back home and to the shop when your vehicle is being serviced so you won’t have to wait at the shop. Call them at (907) 586-3900.

Wasilla

• Wasilla Lube Express & Auto Mall – Wasilla Lube Express & Auto Mall is one of the more convenient auto service spots in Wasilla, Alaska. It is family owned and offers oil changes, air conditioning service, alignments, brake service, engine service and much more. Their phone number is (907) 373-4948 for the repair shop and (907) 376-9777 for the lube shop.
• Berkley Automotive Mobile Mechanic Services – Berkley Automotive Mobile Mechanic Services is a mobile mechanic service which means the mechanic will come to you. They offer a sixty day warranty on their work and offer service for general automotive issues and brakes. You can give them a call at (907) 315-7453.
• Wasilla Family Auto – Wasilla Family Auto is family owned and offers various brake and general auto motive repair services. Give them a call today at (907) 373-1948.

Ketchikan

• All American Auto Repair – All American Auto Repair was founded in 1985 and has been serving the Ketchikan community ever since. They specialize in engine repair, heating and air conditioning repair, auto electrical work, inspections, oil changes and much more. Call them at (907) 225-1250.
• Lighthouse Service – Lighthouse Service is a NAPA Auto Center and has been serving Ketchikan for many years. They offer oil changes, engine repair, transmission service, body work and more. Contact them at 907-247-2244.

Homer

• Alyeska Tire – Alyeska Tire is a tire and automotive repair shop that’s been serving the Homer area for over thirty years. They specialize in axle repair, brake repair, climate control, oil changes, tire services such as alignment and much more. They can be reached at 907 235-8441.
• Redline Automotive – Redline Automotive just opened in the end of 2017. However, they do have a good reputation online though. They offer oil changes, brake services, tire services, battery services and more. Their phone number is (907)235-5463.
• Aftershock Automotive – Aftershock Automotive has been serving the Homer community for several years. They offer various automotive repair services. Call ahead for an appointment at 907-235-2700.

Conclusion

Always be sure to call any of these shops before you show up. Some might be by appointment only depending on how busy they are that particular day.

You can also look these shops up online to see if they have any customer reviews.

If you haven’t already shipped your car to Alaska, give Alaska Car Transport a call today at (907) 331-3100.

General info

Unlike the continental United States, all of Alaska is not connected by highways and roads. So, if you’re in Alaska for any sort of extended stay, odds are that you’ll need to take one of the ferries at some point. It’s also extremely likely that you’ll need to do so with your car too.

The good thing is that all of Alaska’s Ferries operating on the Alaska Marine Highway System have room for your vehicle on-board. Some have more space than others, but if you book ahead of time, you should have no trouble finding space for yourself or your car.

The Alaska Marine Highway System is Alaska’s most reliable nautical transportation service between coastal communities. Today, it is recognized as a National Scenic Byway as well as an All-American Road. It currently services almost four thousand miles of the gorgeous Alaskan coastline and connects over thirty communities. Some of which cannot be reached by car alone.

There’s several routes and eleven different vessels. Consider the thirty communities these ferries travel between and you can see how someone can get easily confused when trying to coordinate their ferry voyage. However, you can use this handy guide to get to where you’re going by ferry with ease.
 

The fleet

The fleet is comprised of eleven great ferries with a rich history behind each. These ferries operate all year long and can handle passengers and their cars. Get to know the different types of vessels in the fleet:
 

Mainline Ferries

These are the biggest ferries in the fleet. It almost always takes over twenty-four hours to go from the first port to the last port on the route on one of these mainline vessels.

If you are going to be on one of these Ferries overnight, you can rent a cabin on-board to sleep in or you can set up a tent or sleeping bag on the deck. Depending on the season, the second option might not be such a good idea. There are also several places to buy food and drink on-board as well.

• MV Columbia
  This Ferry is named after the Columbia Glacier and is quite large, the largest of the fleet. It cost twenty million dollars to build.

  It can carry just under five hundred passengers and has a car-carrying capacity of about a hundred and thirty vehicles. It also has over a hundred cabins, about half of which are for up to four people and the other half can fit two people.

  The MV Columbia also boasts many great on-board conveniences. It has a dining room, a restaurant, a couple of lounges including a movie screening lounge, laundry and more.

• MV Kennicott
  The MV Kennicott is named after the Kennicott Glacier and can be used as a command center for emergency teams in case of an ocean emergency like an oil spill. It has a helicopter pad and a floating dock in case it does need to be used this way. It also has an elevator specifically for loading and unloading cars.

  This ferry can carry about five hundred passengers but can only carry about seventy-five vehicles. It has over a hundred cabins pretty much split between two-person and four-person capacity.

  The MV Kennicott has many nice amenities as well. It has a couple observation decks, a heated solarium, and a few lounges including a movie lounge.

• MV Malaspina
  The MV Malaspina got its name from the Masaspina Glacier and was one of the three original Alaska Marine Highway System ferries. It can carry four hundred and fifty passengers and eighty-three vehicles. It also has just over seventy cabins with both two and four person capacities.

  It’s amenities for those on board include lounges including a movie lounge and a heated solarium.

• MV Matanuska
  Named after the Matanuska Glacier, the MV Matanuska was also one of the three original Alaska Marine Highway System ferries. It can carry four hundred and fifty passengers as well as eighty-three cars. There are a hundred cabins with capacities for two or three people.

  The ferry also includes a restaurant, a heated solarium, a movie lounge and a child’s play area.

• MV Tustumena

  This ferry is named after the Tustumena glacier and has an elevator on-board especially made for loading and un-loading cars. It the smallest Alaska Marine Highway System ferry that has cabins.

  It can carry a hundred and thirty passengers as well as thirty-four cars. It offers passengers a dining room, movie lounge, heated solarium and more.

Day Boat Ferries

The purpose of these ferries is to get people from one small community to another as well as with the mainline ferry routes. You can expect a shorter trip on these ships.

• MV Aurora
  Named for the Aurora Glacier, this ferry can hold up to two hundred and fifty passengers as well as thirty-three cars. It has observations lounges, a movie lounge, a heated solarium and showers available.
• MV LeConte
  The MV LeConte got its name from the LeConte Glacier. It can carry two hundred and twenty-five passengers as well as thirty-three vehicles. This ship also boasts a restaurant, heated solarium and movie lounge as well.

Shuttle Ferries

These are essentially smaller and more limited day boat ferries. They generally only operate back and forth between a couple of small communities each day.

• FVF Chenega
  Named after the Chenega Glacier, the FVF Glacier is one of the fastest ferries in the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry fleet. It is one of the very first ferries of its kind in the entire United States.

  It carries up to two hundred and ten passengers and thirty-one cars. It also has a snack bar, lounges, child’s play area and a study area as well.

• FVF Fairweather
  Taking its name from the Fairweather Glacier, is also one of the Fastest ferries in the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry fleet.

  It can hold up to two hundred and ten passengers as well as thirty-one cars. The amenities consist of a snack bar, kid’s play area, solarium and lounges.

• MV Lituya
  The MV Lituya was named after the Lituya Glacier and is the smallest ferry in the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry fleet. It is also the only vessel in the fleet that is dedicated to a single route (it only goes from Ketchikan to Metlakatla and back).

  The ship can hold up to a hundred and twenty-five passengers and fifteen cars. The perks of being on-board include a couple of lounges and viewing areas.

Schedules and fares

Schedules

The schedules for each of these ferries, for every one of their routes for the entire year would be too detailed to post here, so you can them here.

However, there are more general details that you should be aware of. For example, there are many more departures in the summer months than there are any other time of the year. By the same logic, the winter has the least amount of departures. This is based on demand which is generated by increases in tourism or lack thereof for the most part.

Fares

Fares for the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry are determined by:

• Passengers – The number of passengers is a part of determining your fare. The age of the passengers also matters too. Ages are broken into seniors (65+), adults (12+), child (6-11) and child (0-5).
• Vehicle – Your vehicle takes part in determining your fare as well. The make and model of your car adds weight and space to the shipment. Thus, it adds extra money to the fare the larger the car.
• Carry-on Items – Carry on items are classified as: bikes, pets, kayaks and inflatables. These items will require extra room on the ship, so, there is a small additional charge involved.
• Route Selection – This should be fairly obvious but the route you choose will determine the bulk of your cost for your trip. The further that you are going, the more it will cost you.

Booking Restrictions

The following are booking restrictions for Alaska Marine Highway System ferries:

• Passenger limit – If you have ten or more people that you are trying to book, you will need to contact them personally. You can do so by e-mailing them at this address.
• Unaccompanied minors – Although their website does not specify, there are restrictions and qualifications for unaccompanied minors. Get it touch with them before-hand to make sure everything regarding your minor checks out.
• Vehicle length – The maximum length for a vehicle is thirty feet. The vast majority of cars will fall under this length, so, most of you will not need to worry.
• Vehicle restrictions – Outside of the length restriction, there are restrictions regarding unaccompanied vehicles and commercial vehicles. You need to contact them if either of those situations applies to you.
• Cabin Limit – You can only book three cabins per trip. For most of the larger ships, this means twelve people.

Travel policies

General policies

There are many policies in place for Alaska Marine Highway System ferries. You should consult their policies page here. Their policies include: animal transport, baggage, conduct, lost and found, marijuana, service animals and more.

Vehicle related policies

Alaska Marine Highway System ferries have several vehicle related policies. They are as follows:

• Commercial cars and trailers – You need to contact Alaska Marine Highway System ferries if you plan on bringing any commercial vehicle with you during your trip.
• Kayaks, canoes and inflatables – If you have a kayak, canoe or inflatable you can bring it along as long as it’s being transported with a car. If it’s not it will need its own ticket.
• Vehicle and vehicle categories – There are several policy points regarding vehicles:
• Standard Cars – Standard cars are considered anything up to eight feet in length.
• Oversized cars – Oversized cars are considered a hundred and three inches and over. If your car is between a hundred and three and a hundred and eight inches long, there will be an extra twenty five percent charge. If your vehicle is a hundred and eight inches long or more, you will be charged an extra fifty percent.
• Motorcycles – You must bring the appropriate tie-downs for your motorcycle. If you are unsure of what this means for you, be sure to contact Alaska Marine Highway System ferries.
• Recreational vehicles – You must make clear that you are shipping an RV when you are making your reservation. You can not use your RV for dining or sleeping while you are on the boat.
• Unaccompanied vehicles – Any car that isn’t with a passenger will get charged an additional fee. How much the fee is depends on the destination port. You must also make sure that you make arrangements to have the car removed from the ship upon arrival. If you do not, you will be charged a fee to have the RV towed off the ship.
• Port restrictions – There are several port-specific restrictions that may apply to your vehicle. You can read more here.

Routes

Southeast Alaska

The Southeast route includes communities from Bellingham, Washington and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, through the Inside Passage, all the way to Yakutat.

Routes in this region can take anywhere from an hour to thirty-eight hours depending on where you are traveling to and from.

The Southeast Alaska route stops at the following ports:

Mainline routes

• Bellingham
• Ketchikan
• Wrangell
• Petersburg
• Juneau
• Haines
• Skagway
• Sitka
• Kake
• Prince Rupert

Day boat routes

• Juneau
• Tenakee
• Angoon
• Gustavus
• Hoonah
• Haines
• Skagway

Shuttle routes

• Juneau
• Sitka
• Metlakatla

The Gulf of Alaska

The Gulf of Alaska route includes ports in Prince William Sound and the Kenai Peninsula.

Routes in this region can take anywhere from nine hours to thirty-eight hours depending on where you are traveling to and from.

The Gulf of Alaska route stops at the following ports:

Mainline routes

• Bellingham
• Ketchikan
• Juneau
• Yakutat
• Whittier
• Chenega Bay
• Kodiak
• Homer

South Central and Southwest Alaska

The Southwest routes include ports from the Kodiak Island Archipelago, the Alaska Peninsula, and out of the Aleutian Chain to Dutch Harbor.

Routes in this region can take anywhere from six hours to nine hours depending on where you are traveling to and from.

The South Central and Southwest Alaska route stops at the following ports:

Mainline Routes

• Homer
• Kodiak
• Chignik
• Sand Point
• King Cove
• Cold Bay
• False Pass
• Akutan
• Dutch Harbor
• Seldovia

Day boat routes

• Whittier
• Valdez
• Cordova

Conclusion

Taking the ferry in Alaska can be a particularly complex process. However, many times it is the only way to get from one specific spot to another.

It’s also a pleasant experience where you’ll have great views of the Alaskan wilderness the whole way. Be sure you contact the ferry beforehand if you aren’t sure of something.

Alaska is one of the most expansive and impressive places in the world. Whether you are moving there, or you are just visiting, prepare to see some of the most remarkable sights you’ll ever have the opportunity of laying your eyes on.

Anytime of the year is a good time to make your way up to Alaska. However, winter can be very dark and cold. Summer can be very crowded and expensive. Fall is quite nice, but you might miss some of the wildlife and you likely won’t get to see much of the more winter-prone sights such as glaciers. For these reasons, we recommend that you travel up to Alaska in the spring.
 

Nature

During the spring, Alaska is in transition. It’s quite a sight to see. This is when nature here transforms from a snowy white wonder to the lush green wilderness that so many people who have been to Alaska talk about.

The wildlife really starts to make more frequent appearances as a result of this too. This can include black bears bears, caribou, sheep, goats, multiple types of rarer birds, walrus and more.

In fact, because the weather is getting better and the snow is starting to dissipate, but the vegetation and forest hasn’t fully grown back, it’s a peak opportunity to see the wildlife and snap a few photos.

However, you’ll still be able to see things like glaciers in their full form. When you visit during the summer, you can still see them, but they will more than likely have grown smaller and less impressive than they are at their peak which is during the winter and spring.
 

Less people and other tourists

During the spring, you’ll also encounter less people in Alaska. It’s not the absolute peak time of the year to visit, which is from June to August.

This will help you with things like travel time, rental availability, and sightseeing. Less people means quicker trips and greater opportunity to see even more of Alaska’s incredible wonders.

You will end up primarily dealing with those who live in Alaska year-round as well. This makes for a better experience because you can learn so much about a place from the people who live there and know the lay of the land better than anyone else.
 

It’s cheaper

Just from a simple supply and demand perspective it will be considerably cheaper to come in the spring instead of the summer. Yes, it will be a little cooler but bring a coat and enjoy all the money you saved.

In the spring, you’ll save on flights, tours, hotels and pretty much whatever else you can possibly think of. If you are coming for an extended stay and shipping your car, you’ll save on gasoline too. With the money that you save, you could even end up affording to extend your stay for a few days.
 

Conclusion

When you consider everything, Spring really is the best time to come to Alaska, whether you are just visiting or moving here. You’ll get the full benefit of being here as well as seeing all the incredible scenery and wildlife while saving money.

If you want to skip the rental process and don’t feel like driving all the way through Canada and likely through a large portion of the continental US, we recommend that you ship your car to Alaska. If you’re interested, get a free quote today!

Tips for Driving and Sightseeing in Alaska

Road Rules

It should be no surprise that Alaska has some different and interesting driving laws because of how challenging the road conditions can be at certain times and in certain areas. There’s also the issue of smaller roads due to lower populations spread across larger areas. Laws are more strictly enforced so the many one lane roads don’t get blocked or congested.

Most of the normal laws are the same: don’t exceed the speed limit, don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, stop at stop signs and red lights etc. However, there are a bunch of lesser laws that are very different from what you’re likely used to.

One such law allows people to drive with loaded guns (legally registered, of course) in their car. You can have the gun visible or concealed. The only stipulation is that you must be over twenty-one. Alaska is another state like Hawaii where seatbelts must be worn by all passengers. States like New York do not require passengers in the back seat to wear seatbelts in most circumstances.

Headlights are a big area of legislation for Alaskans. During the much lower light winter months, the law requires headlights for longer periods. There are several roads in Alaska that mandate lights must be on at all times while traveling on them. Any one operating a motorcycle in Alaska must always have their headlights on.

It’s illegal to have your brights on within five hundred feet of an oncoming car. Other states have this rule but don’t tend to enforce it too much. However, in Alaska, it is enforced quite strictly. Really what this means is that it’s illegal to flash your brights at someone to warn them to turn their headlights on or about upcoming police. So, to be completely safe and covered, always have your regular headlights on in Alaska – even during the day.

You may actually use your phone while driving in Alaska but not the screen. What does that mean? Well, you can hold the phone to your head and talk but you can’t use the screen at all. This includes texting and even dialing.

Another driving law in Alaska different from most of the United States in that you’re allowed to drive with marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia in your vehicle. However, you may not drive under the influence of marijuana or use it in your vehicle or anywhere in public. You also must be twenty-one years of age or older to do this.
Finally, potential motorists are allowed to earn their learner’s permit at only fourteen years of age in Alaska. This is tied for the youngest age in the country.

Drive to the Sights

Now that your aware of the different laws on the road and how to obey them, you should take note of some of the better attractions and sights there are in Alaska. Keep in mind, if you aren’t moving there permanently, you likely won’t get the chance to see everything on this list as Alaska is over six hundred thousand square miles big.

• Denali National Park

  – With over six million acres of mountains, rivers, tundras and breath-taking wilderness the Denali National Park is the heart of Alaskan sight-seeing. It’s located about two hours south west of Fairbanks and boasts an impressive roster of wildlife with grizzly bears, wolves, reindeer, elk, huskies and numerous birds.



• Alaska Highway

  – With rolling views of glacier-tipped mountains and lush Alaskan forests, the Alaska Highway is a perfect way to get where your going while taking in the sights. The highway runs from Delta Junction, Alaska into Canada and the Yukon Territory.



• Kenai Fjords National Park

  – Located in Seward, the Kenai Fjords National Park has some of the biggest glaciers you’ll see as well as some of the biggest bears.



• Dalton Highway

  – Beginning just north of Fairbanks and stretching over four hundred miles to Prudhoe Bay, the Dalton Highway is a great way to break in your wheels in Alaska while taking in the gorgeous expanse that is the arctic circle at its northern-most end. This is where, from September through the spring, you can see the impressive Northern Lights. Along the highway you can also make stops at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve.



• Iditarod National Historic Trail

  – Home to a globally renowned and revered tradition, the Iditarod National Historic Trail is absolutely one of the can’t miss attractions in Alaska. The trail is the home to the world’s most famous dog sled race, the Iditarod. Along the trail you’ll be able to get great views of glaciers, mountains and the vast Alaskan landscape.



• Totem Bight State Historic Park

  – With a great look into the rich culture and history of Alaska, the Totem Bight State Historic Park gives you an up-close look at picturesque Lake Tiulana and some dwellings of Alaska Natives. The park is located in Anchorage.



• Mendenhall Glacier

  – Located just a few miles north of Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier is an icy blue wonder that you can only see in Alaska. It’s widely considered the crowning point of the impressive and massive Juneau ice field.

Driving Tips

These tips will help you navigate the roads in Alaska with a little more ease and piece of mind. Use these in conjunction with the Rules of the Road to ensure the best driving experience possible.

• Watch out for wildlife! Depending on what part of Alaska you’re in, there could be moose, bears, wolves, bison, or caribou crossing the road at any time. Hitting one of these animals could easily total your car. Worse, they could be endangered, and you could be held liable for the death of an endangered animal.
• Be prepared for inclement weather at all times. Always have your car weatherproofed. Have an emergency kit and extra supplies ready in case you ever get stranded. Supplies you should have ready include: a spare tire & the tools to change a tire, gravel or kitty litter to help you if you need traction, a flashlight, batteries, blankets/sleeping bags, extra clothes, nonperishable foods & water, jumper cables, a small shovel, extra gasoline, matches, knife, spare wiper blades as well as spare bulbs for your headlights and whatever else you think might be able to help you if you end up in a pinch.
• Have a roadside assistance plan like AAA. If something does happen and you do get stuck, having a roadside assistance plan will prove invaluable.
• If you start sliding be sure to turn into the direction of the slide. This means turn your front wheels in the same direction that the rear of the vehicle is sliding. So, if the rear of your vehicle is sliding left, turn your wheel left.
• Don’t tailgate anyone. If the roads are iced up, you tailgate and the person in front of you stops short you will very likely end up sliding into them.

Conclusion

Alaska is a very big place. It’s about a third the size of the lower forty-eight states. So, I guess you could say that having your car there is pretty important. However, it’s not the easiest place to drive in. Frequent snowy and icy weather can cause massive delays for travel.

It’s only prudent to prepare yourself for the drive with know-how and any supplies you might need if an emergency does occur. If you’re in Alaska or you’re on your way and need your car there, the auto transport experts at Alaska Car Transport can help you out. Get a free quote today.

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How long will it take to ship my car to Alaska?
Where can I ship my car in Alaska?
The types of cars you can ship to Alaska
The best ways to ship your car to Alaska
What’s next after my vehicle is delivered?
Conclusion
 

In general, renting a car during an extended trip can prove extremely costly. Many times, it makes much more sense just to ship your own vehicle to your destination. You probably have several questions like “What will it cost?” and “How long will it take?”

This guide is designed to answer your questions and give you all the detail you need in order to be able to ship your car to Alaska and be confident while you are doing so.
 

The basics about shipping your vehicle to Alaska

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that you plan ahead. Realistically, you can expect it to be without your car for a little over a week to two weeks while it ships to the last frontier (Alaska). Your shipping duration will vary based on several factors most importantly including distance.

So, you will need to decide, do you want to split that time between when you are home and in Alaska? Do you want to spend a week or so at home without your vehicle? Or do you want to wait a week or so while you are in Alaska? It’s entirely up to you.

You should also give your auto transport company as much notice about your shipment as possible. Expedited shipping will cost you an additional fee so try and avoid last minute planning if you can. We recommend that you give your auto transporter a month’s notice, so you will have the best results and lowest cost.

As with any other vehicle shipment, you will want to be sure that you have your car ready for shipping by the time your driver arrives to pick up your car:

• Make sure that you have a quarter tank of gas but no more than that. This allows the driver to get the car on and off the carrier as they need to but won’t add extra weight to the vehicle and will adhere to Coast Guard regulations as well.
• Be sure to wash the exterior of the car before shipping so that the driver can easily conduct their inspection for pre-existing damage before loading your car.
• Take any detachable non-essential parts off of the vehicle such as roof racks.
• Be sure you have all of your documents ready by the time your driver arrives to pick up your vehicle. This includes: your driver’s license, registration, and a copy of your booking.
• Make sure you have an extra copy of your key just in case anything happens to the one you gave your driver.
• Take all personal items out of the vehicle. Any personal items left in the vehicle will not be covered by insurance if they are damaged, lost or stolen.
• Be sure to tell your driver about any existing issues with the car such as your alignment being off or a headlight being out.

You should also be sure to weather proof your car for the Alaskan climate prior to shipping it. That way, you won’t have to worry about doing so after transport.
 

Why ship instead of drive?

The obvious answer here is that it will take a lot of time and energy and it will just make life less stressful in general by shipping your car and flying to Alaska.

However, many people don’t know how much driving will end up costing them. Consider that with the average cost of fuel right now, a trip in an average car from New York to Anchorage will cost over $400 one-way. Also consider that you will need to spend several nights in hotels. This will run between $500 and $1000. So, driving yourself will still cost about a thousand dollars (if you were doing so from New York).

The above calculation also doesn’t factor in opportunity cost either. Opportunity cost is “a benefit missed when an investor, individual or business chooses one alternative over another.”

So, when you drive your car instead of shipping it, the opportunity cost includes things like missed days of work. You’re either spending paid time off performing the awful task of driving thousands of miles or, worse, you’re taking un-paid time off and surrendering about a week’s worth of salary.

That’s $1,000 in actual cost and a few hundred dollars more in opportunity cost. For a couple hundred extra dollars you can save the stress of driving thousands of miles and the opportunity cost of missing work.
 

What will it cost me to ship my car to Alaska?

Like any other car shipment, this will depend entirely on where you are shipping it from, the season and the type of vehicle that you are shipping.

For our purposes, lets assume we’re shipping a car of average size on an open-air carrier during the fall (a less busy time, so, demand is down). It will cost a little under two thousand dollars to ship from Seattle to Anchorage. If you were shipping from Miami, Florida to Anchorage with everything else equal, it would cost about four thousand dollars.

In the end, both trips are a few thousand miles long. The trip from Seattle being slightly over two thousand miles and the trip from Miami being over four thousand miles. So, those prices are quite reasonable. Both coming in at a little less than a dollar a mile.

Any half-decent carrier or broker will give you a free quote. So, be sure to take advantage of that and shop around a little bit before you commit to ship your car.

Just be aware, whenever you are shipping your car anywhere that the quotes you get will be reasonably close to the same price. If you get a quote that’s way lower than all the other competitors, it’s likely a bait and switch scam. For example, if four carriers quote: $2000, $2100, $950 and $2050 respectively for the same shipment the outlier ($950) is a scam of some sort.

Most of the time these “bait and switch” scams offer you that low price initially, pick up your car, then tell you there is some issue and demand an additional exorbitant payment. If you refuse to pay it, they will say your car is “already in-transit” and will hold your vehicle hostage. So, avoid these “too good to be true” prices for auto shipping.
 

How long will it take to ship my car to Alaska?

As we mentioned earlier it will generally take around ten to fourteen days to ship your car to Alaska. However, it really does depend on the time of year that you’re shipping, how far you’re shipping and the weather along the shipping route at the time of your particular shipment.

A cross country shipment like Miami, Florida to Alaska or New York to Alaska will likely take closer to two and a half weeks while Seattle to Alaska could end up taking less than one week for example.
Transit times increase noticeably during carriers “busy season” too. If you ship to Alaska in the fall versus in the summer your transit time for your shipment will likely be a day or two less. This is because as Carriers get busier, there are less of them available. Thus, your shipment will take more time to get to Alaska.

When shipping your vehicle anywhere, you should always plan for the later date of the estimate you get. Most carriers and brokers will give you an estimate on when your car will be delivered. These estimates usually have a three or four day window. It’s best to be prepared for the later part of the estimate in case that’s when the vehicle ends up being dropped off. This way, if it gets delivered earlier than that it won’t be an issue either.
 

Where can I ship my car in Alaska?

When you ship your car to Alaska you’ll need to pick it up at one of the major ports/central hubs. Don’t worry though, there’s a bunch of ports or central hubs in Alaska where you can choose to ship to. Just choose the port closest to you. The lack of major highways make it almost impossible for auto carriers to get across the state, so residential drop-off generally isn’t available in Alaska.

The ports and hubs in Alaska we ship vehicles to are:

• Anchorage
• Fairbanks
• Dutch Harbor
• Kodiak
• Juneau
• Ketchikan
• Sitka
• Petersburg
• Wrangell
• Craig
• Kake
• Hoonah
• Haines
• Skagway
• Yakutat
• Cordova
• Thorne Bay
• Valdez
 

The types of cars you can ship to Alaska

You can ship any kind of car you want to Alaska. You may even be able to ship your vehicle if it’s inoperable but check with your shipping provider before you book your shipment.

However, you can also ship many other types of cargo to Alaska. This includes: cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, trailers, RVs, and heavy equipment such as tractors. We recommend calling your shipping provider to discuss any of these sorts of shipments prior to trying to book one.
 

The best ways to ship your car to Alaska

There’s a bunch of different things to take into consideration when shipping a car to Alaska. The type of transport that you choose is one of them. The vast majority of auto transports are open air transports. These are the normal type of auto carriers you typically see out on the road with a couple of decks of cars.

Sometimes, people will pay a couple of extra dollars to get their car shipped in what’s called the “top load.” The top load are the vehicles on the upper deck of the auto carrier. This is normally advantageous because vehicles in the “bottom load” can get hit with small road debris like pebbles which can cause small scratches or dents during transport. However, the vehicles on the bottom load are partially shielded from the elements because of the cars above them. The cars in the top load are completely exposed to the elements such as snow and rain.

Considering that part of your auto transport will take place in and around Alaska, there’s a good chance snow and ice will occur on the route. So, you will need to carefully consider if you want to risk much higher snow and ice exposure in lieu of avoiding small road debris.

You can avoid both of these things by using a completely enclosed auto carrier during your auto transport. The only downside to this is that it will cost several hundred extra bucks whereas “top load” on an open carrier only costs about a hundred extra bucks and “bottom load” on an open carrier costs nothing extra.

Realistically, most carriers and brokers can offer you these various shipping options and additional upgrades if you so choose. We recommend you use Alaska Car Transport as we are experts at moving any type of vehicle to any part of Alaska. If you need any more information about us or our services, feel free to give us a call today at (907) 331-3100.
 

What’s next after my vehicle is delivered?

Once you get there and your car is delivered, you are permitted to use a valid out-of-state registration for up to sixty days. So, if you’re staying longer than that, you’ll obviously need to get a new registration.

If you are permanently moving to Alaska, you’ll need to get it registered with the Alaskan DMV and get your documentation and license plates changed. Unfortunately, this can be as arduous of a process as it is in any other state.

There are certain cases where you can have all this done online or over the phone. You will need to call the Alaskan DMV and ask them or contact them online by visiting http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/.

If you are a new Alaska resident, you will need to register in-person at the DMV unless you live more than fifty miles away from the closest DMV in which case you can register by mail. Unfortunately, you will need to do this within ten days of starting your residency in Alaska.

You will also need to get new license plates shortly after having your car delivered if you are permanently moving to Alaska. You can find more information by visiting http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/plates/index.htm.
 

Conclusion

The vehicle registration process once your car is delivered is probably the most complex part of getting a car to Alaska. That’s why you should ship your car there and have one less thing to worry about. If you’re only visiting, then you have even less to worry about by shipping your vehicle.

Driving all the way to Alaska from anywhere in the Continental United States will be a trip of a couple thousand miles. That’s several days on the road. Spending money on fuel and lodging and probably pulling ten or even twelve-hour days driving.

The money that you end up spending on gas and lodging adds up and can easily reach more than half the cost of shipping your car. So, for an extra couple hundred bucks you can skip the long haul and ship your car to Alaska.

You should always take the best care of your car possible

If you’re online reading an article about car care, you obviously care enough about your car to take that extra step. However, you should already know that the best way to take care of your car is to do so constantly.

You shouldn’t only be periodically concerned with major things such as seasonal changes. Pay attention to the everything including tire pressure, fluid levels and overall engine health. Constantly monitor your car’s condition and if you think something’s wrong, take it to the shop and get it checked out if you can’t figure it out for yourself.

Make sure you always have the instruments you need in order to evaluate your car’s condition as well as the tools to fix any issues if possible. Things like tire gauges, tire irons, a jack, a spare or at least a donut, a wrench, extra wiper fluid, extra anti-freeze, and whatever else you can think of. You should also have a membership with a roadside assistance program like AAA, just in case something happens while your out on the road where you can’t fix your car yourself and need a hand or the car towed.

Prepare your car for cold, snow and sleet

With all that in mind, you should also be prepared for specific things such as winter conditions. When you ship your car to Alaska, these are the conditions your car will be facing the majority of the time. You’ll want to make sure that your car is completely “winterized.” Now, not every part of Alaska is a constant winter storm with feet of snow. However, heavier winter weather generally tends to be the norm in the slight majority of the state.

One of the first things you should do is to make sure that you get some new snow tires with good treads on them, so you can be sure that you’re ready for any snowy and icy roads. You will also want to make sure that they are new and not used. Used tires can be really worn and the treads won’t be as effective. In a perfect world, used tire dealers would be honest and only sell used tires that were in good enough condition for some considerably mileage. Sadly, this often isn’t the case. Some people will even sell bald tires to unsuspecting customers. New tires are, by far, your best bet.

You’ll also want to make sure that you have spare windshield wipers in your car. During cold snowy weather, windshield wipers can end up sticking to your windshield if you don’t angle them off your windshield earlier in the day (always try to do this in cold weather climates as a precaution).

Unfortunately, many people don’t pay enough attention to the forecast or will forget to take this precaution. Then when they try and move their wipers to clear snow off of their vehicle or when they turn their wipers on, they will snap. This can render your car undriveable if you’re still experiencing snow at the time it occurs. This is why having an extra pair of wipers and knowing how to put them on can be invaluable in a place like Alaska.

As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to make sure that you have your car’s fluid filled as well as extra in your trunk just in case you end up needing it. The two most important fluids in terms of weather in a wintery climate to keep an eye on are windshield wiper fluid and anti-freeze. Both of these are crucial to keeping your car drivable in an Alaskan climate.

You’ll also want to be sure that you have a good snow and ice scraper in your car. When you aren’t in your car for an extended period of time and the snow is coming down, it will obviously accumulate all over your car. When this happens, you’ll need to clear it off before you start driving. Driving with snow all over your car is not only dangerous, it’s illegal! You also don’t want to get stuck clearing off your car with your hands, it’s much more difficult and much colder.

Finally, before you even ship your vehicle to Alaska, get your car checked out at the shop. You’ll need to be sure that your car is obviously in good general shape, but you’ll also want to be sure that your heat and defrosters are working fine. These are critically important while you’re actually driving to keeping visibility at a maximum.

Don’t forget about the road salt!

The biggest winter road condition people don’t account for when driving their car in Alaska is the salt of the road from the plows as well as the increased amounts of small rocks and pebbles from the road that occur because of the winter weather. These things can cause small scratches and dings on your car. For the most part, you can’t prevent this but, if you get your car waxed before you ship it to Alaska, this could possibly help lessen the potential for these small scratches and dings occurring.

Conclusion

All of this might seem like a little much to some of you, but this high level of preparation is worth it for the piece of mind alone. It’s obviously also worth it because odds are that you will run into some sort of weather-related issue with your car while you’re in Alaska. Once you’ve made all these preparations, all you’ll need to worry about is getting your car to Alaska. With the auto shipping experts at Alaska Car Transport, you won’t have to “worry” about that either. Get a free quote today or call us at (907) 331-3100!

If you are an active duty military member and living or relocating to Alaska, you should establish military residency. In order to file military residency there is an application that needs to be completed and accompanied by acceptable proof. Applicants must provide proof of residency showing an intent to remain indefinitely in Alaska. In addition, below is a list of acceptable and unacceptable proof.

Acceptable Proof for When Filing for Military Residency:

A copy of proof that you’ve moved household belongings to Alaska such as a moving truck rental receipt, receipt for moving boxes mailed to Alaska (USPS), receipt showing items shipped via the Alaska Ferry System, Excess baggage receipt (beyond allowed limit) from Airline, or shipping receipt.

A lease or rental agreement in the applicant’s name. The lease must be signed. You may also show a cancelled rent check or rental receipts. If you choose to not rent, but instead purchase, you must show proof of purchasing a home such as a mortgage statement or escrow papers.

Documents pertaining to your car are also accepted. You could show your Alaska Driver’s License, ID or instructional permit, and vehicle registration.

Unacceptable Proof for When Filing for Military Residency:

Letter from a friend stating you live in Alaska, documents relating to a motorhome, recreational vehicle, motorcycle or watercraft, unemployment records, marriage license, court records, employer provided housing, employer paid moving expenses, military provided housing, and utilities bills, bank statements, and/or mail with a home address.

For more information on establishing military residency, visit: https://pfd.alaska.gov/Eligibility/Establishing-Residency

So interested in finding out information on establishing military residency because you are relocating? Contact us today to get started on your car shipment  process. Some of your car shipment fees may even be covered by the military.

Eco- friendly driving is beginning to have its benefits, especially in Alaska. Eco- friendly driving is becoming increasingly popular as more car companies are adding eco- friendly models to their inventory. Eco- friendly driving is considered any car that emits less pollutants than a regular driving car. Cars included under this category are electric cars, hybrids, alternative fuel vehicles, or other fuel- efficient vehicles. As an incentive to get the majority of the population to go green, Alaska is offering some perks.

Alaska’s eco- friendly drivers are able to apply for auto insurance discounts. Depending on who your insurance carrier is, is dependant on the discount you may or may not receive. Potential eco- friendly discounts include hybrid auto discounts, alternative fuel vehicle discounts, economy car discounts, low- mileage discounts, and pay as you drive discounts. Each insurance company is different in what they may offer. Also, some insurance companies automatically offer a 10 percent discount on car insurance for owning or leasing a hybrid car. Some insurance companies offer a 30 percent insurance discount for keeping your miles low and to a minimum. In the event that your current insurance company doesn’t offer any perks for driving an eco- friendly car, you could always switch your insurance carrier. If you are relocating to Alaska, then you are in the driver’s seat. Since you are now knowledgeable that some insurance companies offer perks, when you decide to relocate, shop around for a new insurance company that will offer you incentives to driving an eco- friendly car.

Eco- friendly driving is becoming increasingly popular so as a result, insurance companies are thanking drivers by offering discounts and incentives. Interested in these perks? Interested in becoming an eco- friendly driver? You can buy an eco- friendly car online and we can ship it right to your doorstep. Or relocating and already have an eco- friendly car? We can ship your car to Alaska so you can take advantage of their eco- friendly incentives.