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I have 2 small children and 2 small dogs. We really want to do a road trip but I want to hear what others have done. Moving from Fort Hood
Alaska
Fort Wainwright
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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Do the road trip. Plan it out but be willing to wing it. Try to do most of your driving at night time if you want to make miles.
That will mostly be the last part of your trip from in Canada to TOK. AK
That will mostly be the last part of your trip from in Canada to TOK. AK
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Keri S
SGT Ronnie Warford - I took extra cash just in case. But didn't really need to. I have traveled from Alaska to NC and back and then to TX and then back to AK and then back to OK.
I put everything on my Card. No issues any of the trips and I had receipts for everything.
Make sure you keep all your receipts.
I put everything on my Card. No issues any of the trips and I had receipts for everything.
Make sure you keep all your receipts.
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CSM (Join to see)
You can claim a partial dity move and they will pay you for the weight and per person in your car. I towed a small trailer and packed my SUV and even after expenses made like 1500.
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I had one small child when we pcs to Alaska the first time. We took the road trip and it was awesome. The sites and the lay of the land is beautiful. Best time to go is between May and August.
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SGT Ronnie Warford
Do the little ones need a passport and it will be around September 6-11th so you think it will be fine?
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SSG Leo Bell
SGT Ronnie Warford - Yes they do the military will provide them for you, you just have to go over to travel and they will tell you where to get them. Early September is good. There will still be around 14-18 hours of daylight
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SSG Leo Bell
SGT Ronnie Warford - What base are you going to? Ft Wainwright, Ft Richardson, Ft Greely. Do you like the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, hiking?
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SSG (Join to see)
SSG Leo Bell - Does everyone in the family need passports because I've seen sites that say yes and others that say no. Haven't got a Levy Brief scheduled yet so just trying to find that answer out. I plan to drive through Canada.
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SGT Ronnie Warford Sounds like the trip of a lifetime, I am envious. Be prepared for emergencies and carry a huge load of patience for everything and everybody.
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I did it from JBER to Fort Sill, OK!
It's completely worth it! Just make lists of stops and take lots of pictures!
(Also make sure you buy a GPS that specifically says Canada and Alaska!)
It's completely worth it! Just make lists of stops and take lots of pictures!
(Also make sure you buy a GPS that specifically says Canada and Alaska!)
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Going up I drove my wife and two young boys, two large dogs flew, after she closed out the house in SC.
6 years later we all drove back to OR.. Truck and trailer with my off road truck loaded up. In Between, my youngest son and I drove from AK to CO and back for a week long trip, my wife and son flew.
I drove from AK to WA and flew back to AK.
Its a long trip.... if you're making the trip just to get someplace, Id say not a family friendly trip. If your making it a family trip less agenda driven and more let's see what we see along the way..maybe a little camping along the way it could be a great family fun trip if the whole family goes for that sort of thing. If you're "dragging" any one them along, be it moody teaenager of wife that prefers something other,,,your in for a long stress filled few days.
6 years later we all drove back to OR.. Truck and trailer with my off road truck loaded up. In Between, my youngest son and I drove from AK to CO and back for a week long trip, my wife and son flew.
I drove from AK to WA and flew back to AK.
Its a long trip.... if you're making the trip just to get someplace, Id say not a family friendly trip. If your making it a family trip less agenda driven and more let's see what we see along the way..maybe a little camping along the way it could be a great family fun trip if the whole family goes for that sort of thing. If you're "dragging" any one them along, be it moody teaenager of wife that prefers something other,,,your in for a long stress filled few days.
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SGT Ronnie Warford
Haha thanks SGM but we have babies. A one year old and newborn. They will be comfortable in the car seats and I will be taking leave so we can have extra days to get there. I'm excited, I'm just worried about getting through Canada and what not
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The Alcan is one long road and i believe that the POV has to be prepare and inspected prior to getting on the Alcan but that was back in the day of no cell phone and very few refueling points. ( battery warmer and oil warmer as well as extra fuel) The rules may have changed and from viewing ICE TRUCKERS show, the roads looks a lot better, early on after mile marker number 1 there are some hots springs camping area and that was lots of fun till you got out. Good Luck.
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Depends on when you have to report really but if it's before October, I say drive. If not take the ferry to Anchorage. My family and I drive up in July and really enjoyed it! We left early (Feb), drove to Haines, AK and took the ferry to Washington State.
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SSG Joe Jordan
If you drive make sure you have enough money (Canadian) and extra gas cans. Make sure you're completely topped off before going into Canada though. Send me a message for more info if you'd like.
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I always wanted to do the road trip. But PCSing form Italy we had to fly. The drive is amazing from the tales of thous who did it.
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SSG Daniel Brewster
I wouldn't recommend the ferry for a family. I was stationed at Wainwright about a million years ago. Later in life I did the trip on my motorcycle and took the ferry from Whittier to Bellingham. It was six days. It's definitely a ferry and not a cruise ship. All I did was drink on the ferry. Saw some amazing things, but not a place for young ones. There's no lido deck, there's no pool, and the cabins are about the size of a queen size bed. Young children would not enjoy it. Your wife will not enjoy it.
Now driving up the Cassier (sp?) highway was great. The ferry? Not so great.
Now driving up the Cassier (sp?) highway was great. The ferry? Not so great.
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SSgt Rilene Ann
I guessitdepends what kind of person you are. I loved the comradery of sleeping in tents on the back of ferry with small stoves sharing favorite treats. Some who come to AK are not outdoors people and complain the whole time. I love adventure of new experiences and getting outside my comfort zone so I am still here in Alaska but Moved toSotka a week ago to metnew challenges.
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I drove with my wife and kid (1 yr old) from Wainwright to Ft. Irwin. It was a great experience. We went through in November so we got snowed in twice in Canada. Best advise I can give is make sure your car is stocked with food and water and If you drive by a gas station in Canada and have a half tank or less you better fill it up. Some gas stations along my route were over 150 miles apart and I was nervous a few times about running out of gas. With todays technology keeping the kids occupied with videos and such are great to make their time go by.
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CPT (Join to see)
SFC Molina, I'll be going to Wainwright in January (2018) from Leonard Wood, so it won't be exactly the same route you took to get to Irwin, but since you drove during the winter, our (my wife and I) biggest fear is getting stuck in Canada due to the snow or closed roads. Did you have any major road issues like that? Also, I've read I'll need an oil warmer. Did you have one, as well?
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