5 Best Scenic Highways in Alaska
This realistic List of Best Scenic Highways in Alaska helps you plan your next drive on these roads.
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Alaska is not a state known for a robust road system. See for yourself:
- You cannot reach Juneau, the state capital, by car without taking a ferry and driving through Canada.
- The Dalton Highway, Alaskan longest road, is a gravel road.
- Plane is the only reliable transport to get to most of the state’s towns and villages.
But the lack of roads should not fool you. Alaska is a beautiful place. And almost any highway in the state goes through scenic landscapes.
There is usually only one way to get from point A to point B in Alaska. But the state’s large area plays a role. It is easy to drive for hundred of miles only to see a handful of viewpoints. Or, worse, skip a drive after the first disappointing experience.
This List of Best Scenic Highways in Alaska helps you decide what road to take first.
1. Richardson Highway: South
The Richardson Highway is the Best Scenic Highway in Alaska. The highway is the oldest highway in the state. And its south segment is also the prettiest Alaskan road.
The segment starts near Glennallen and finishes in Valdez. You will see glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and rivers during the 117-mi (188-km) drive to the ocean.
The highway proceeds through the snowiest place in the state. Driving Thompson Pass is not for the faint of heart. Even if it does not snow during your drive, you are in for a quick elevation drop.
The Richardson Highway is also the easiest way to see Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The country’s largest national park is very remote.
And most people only stop at the visitor center. It is conveniently on this highway.
Finally, stop by the Tonsina River or take a detour to Chitina. This area is a great place to spot moose, grizzly, and black bears.
2. Seward Highway
The Seward Highway is the close second Best Scenic Byway in Alaska. The highway is an All-American Road. It starts in Anchorage and finishes in Seward. The highway covers 127 miles (204 km).
You will see the ocean, waterfalls, and mountain passes. The highway proceeds through both Chugach State Park and National Forest. Make sure to stop at McHugh Creek and Beluga Point.
Once in the National Forest, enjoy Turnagain Pass and Canyon Creek.
You can take a short detour to see the Exit Glacier. But do not waste your time driving to the Portage Glacier viewpoint. The glacier retreated over the years. You can no longer see it from this overlook.
3. Glenn Highway
The Glenn Highway claims the third spot on the list of the Best Scenic Highways in Alaska. The highway is the main road in the state. It connects Anchorage with the mainland.
The scenic section of the highway is between the towns of Nelchina and Anchorage. It covers 150 miles (241 km). The Matanuska Glacier is the main sight on the Glenn Highway.
You can enjoy distant glacier views from the free viewpoints. Or pay $110+ per person to explore it with a guide.
Enjoy the Matanuska River Gorge. And be on the lookout for wildlife. Dall sheep and caribous are present in the area.
4. George Parks Highway
The George Parks Highway takes the fourth spot on the List of the Best Scenic Highways in Alaska. At 359 miles (578 km), this is the longest highway on this List.
You might feel that this highway’s ranking is too low. And you have a point.
- The Parks Highway connects two largest cities in Alaska.
- It goes next to the oldest national park in the state.
- The highest peak in North America is visible from the highway.
But only the middle section of the highway is scenic. It covers about 100 miles (160 km).
The rest of the road mostly proceeds through the forests. There are just a couple of viewpoints in Denali State Park that are worth a stop.
But you have to make a stop in Denali National Park. Take your America the Beautiful annual pass. And enjoy amazing wildlife spotting.
You can drive the first 15 miles of the Park Road in your car. You might not get far enough into the park to see bears and wolves. But this area is a magnet for moose, snowshoe hares, and porcupines.
5. Richardson Highway: North
The Richardson Highway closes the List of Best Scenic Highways in Alaska. This time, the spotlight is on the North Segment. It connects Fairbanks with Paxson. The road continues for 176 miles (283 km).
The highway has two distinct sections. The first section between Fairbanks and Delta Junction has a couple of viewpoints. But only Alaska Range Viewpoint at Tanana River is worth a stop. Other sites are great rest areas. But they are not the destinations to drive for.
The second section is between Donnelly and Paxson. It is a short stretch of just 52 miles (84 km). But it has the most scenic views on the entire highway.
You can enjoy the Delta River at Black Rapids. Or you could stop to admire the Rainbow Mountain. And, of course, crossing the Alaska Range is an experience in itself.
Takeaways: Alaska Scenic Highways
Alaska is the largest state in the nation. The highways do not connect the majority of its territory. But nearly every single highway in Alaska is a scenic one.
This List of Best Scenic Highways in Alaska has all of the state’s favorite routes in one place. This way, you can make an informed decision about the highways to skip and to drive.
Here are a few tips to make the most from your drive on the scenic highways in Alaska.
- Check your gas level and fill up regularly. There might not be another gas station for hundreds of miles.
- Buy snacks in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, or Valdez. You might not find a grocery store in a village.
- Look for places to stay in large towns. You will have more affordable options.
- Check your rental agreement for restrictions. Major companies do not allow driving their cars on certain popular gravel roads.
- Look out for wildlife. You do not have to go to a National or State Park to see dall sheep and caribou.
- Pay attention to the weather and daytime. Both work in your favor in the summer.
- Have a nice drive and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Take a look at our Alaska Video Guides. And visit our YouTube channel for the latest videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Richardson Highway is the most scenic drive in Alaska. Its south segment from Glennallen to Valdez is particularly beautiful. You can do lots of things on the Richardson Highway.
– See waterfalls at Keystone Canyon
– Drive Thompson Pass, the snowiest place in Alaska
– Take a picture of the Worthington Glacier
– Spot a bear or two at the Tonsina river.
– View volcanoes of Wrangler-St. Elias National Park.
Many of Alaskan highways pass through scenic spots. Here is a list of the paved scenic drives in the state and their main sights.
– Richardson Highway (Keystone Canyon).
– Seward Highway (Chugach)
– Glenn Highway (Matanuska)
– Parks Highway (Denali)
Summer is the best time to drive in Alaska. June through August are the best months due to the longest daytime.
Driving on many of Alaskan roads is no different than driving on the mainland. The state’s scenic highways are paved and in a good condition.
But the gas stations are somewhat infrequent. Make sure to fill up gas when you pass a station.
The Seward Highway and the Glenn Highway are the closest scenic drives from Anchorage.
– Seward: proceeds through Chugach State Park and National Forest. You can see Turnagain Arm, waterfalls, and creeks.
– Glenn: Matanuska Glacier and River Gorge are the main sights on this highway.
It takes about 130 miles to reach Seward from Anchorage. You will be driving on the Seward Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the state.
Safe realist travels!
