Dalton Highway

The Dalton Highway is a road in Alaska that runs more than 410 miles from Livengood to Deadhorse, passing through forests, mountains, and tundra. It runs largely parallel to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and crosses several major rivers, including the Yukon River.

The route was built in 1974 as an access road for construction and maintenance of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. Initially it was restricted to construction vehicles and only later opened to general traffic.

Truckers often share weather and road condition updates over CB radio as they drive the route. During the short summer months, RVs and motorcycles occasionally appear on the pavement, which remains dominated by freight trucks for most of the year.

Anyone traveling the route should carry extra fuel cans, spare tires, emergency gear, and a CB radio, as infrastructure is sparse. Most travelers go during summer, when daylight lasts longer and roads are more passable.

Atigun Pass sits at an elevation of roughly 4,740 feet (1,440 m) and is the only vehicular crossing through the Brooks Range. Snow can fall there during any month, even in the middle of summer.

Location: Alaska

Inception: 1974

Official opening: 1974

GPS coordinates: 70.19124,-148.43139

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:13