Alaska Highway

The Alaska Highway is a road network in Canada and the United States linking British Columbia to Alaska through Yukon Territory. The road runs through coniferous forests, crosses rivers, and winds through mountain valleys for more than 2,200 kilometers (1,400 miles).

American engineers built this connection within eight months in 1942 to create a land supply route to Alaska during World War II. Initially the road was only a gravel track, later gradually paved over several decades.

Milepost markers and interpretive signs along the route recall the military origin and rapid pace of construction. Drivers often see roadhouses and lodges that serve as gathering points for long-haul truckers and travelers.

Gas stations and small settlements sometimes lie more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) apart, so drivers should carry enough fuel. Weather can change quickly and road conditions become challenging in spring and fall when frost and thaw alternate.

The entire route passes through three time zones and leads through landscapes where bison and bears roam freely. Along some sections drivers can still travel in daylight after 10 p.m. during summer.

Location: Alaska

Location: Yukon

Location: British Columbia

Inception: 1942

Official opening: 1943

Part of: Pan-American Highway

GPS coordinates: 55.76083,-120.23556

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:04