Alaska has a reputation for being an isolated and cold region up north, unlike any other US state. Its geography is also different, filled with vast tundras and wilderness grounds.
Due to Alaska’s complicated terrain, many roads are extremely dangerous.
Alaska’s top 7 scary mountain roads include Dalton Highway, Denali Highway, McCarthy Road, Hatcher Pass, Richardson Highway, Sterling Highway, and Seward Highway.
If you plan on visiting Alaska, it is important to know what road to avoid to prevent car accidents.
This post will cover the seven scariest and most dangerous roads in Alaska. We’ll talk about the characteristics of each route and precautions when faced with these dangerous driving conditions.
Let’s dive in!
1. Dalton Highway
If you have not heard of Dalton Highway before, that is probably because it is better known as Route 11, the “Oil Spill Hill,” or “The Loneliest Road in America.”
True to its nickname, The Loneliest Road in America is nerve-wracking because it has no cell phone service. You also will not pass a single motel, gas station, or dining stop for at least half of the trip.
Dalton Highway runs for 414 miles, from Livengood to the shores of the Arctic Ocean, with limited stops and low visibility due to the extreme cold during the winter. It is the longest stretch of road on this list.
The Dalton Highway runs through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Arctic Circle, Yukon River, Beaver Slide, and Brooks Range up north.
Most vehicles that go through Dalton Highway are big trucks carrying fuel to the North Slope oil fields, giving it the name “Haul Road.”
While this highway is open year-round, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities warns tourists of the dangerous driving conditions here.
2. Seward Highway
This road stretching from Anchorage and Seward is dangerous because its two lanes are always congested with distracted, sightseeing drivers who often crash into one another by accident.
If you are visiting Alaska to view wildlife or see beautiful nature sceneries, you would most likely want to go on a trip through Seward Highway, the perfect place to enjoy nature.
You can watch moose, brown bears, beavers, and bald eagers up close.
While you can spot various animals and breathtaking sights down this route, you must be wary of the winding paths where many accidents occur.
Be vigilant when driving through this major road to avoid a car accident, especially during winter, when black ice tends to form.
3. Sterling Highway
Like Seward Highway, Sterling is popular among tourists for its scenic views. Unfortunately, it suffers from the same problem: car congestion leading to vehicular accidents.
Sterling Highway is the only road on the central or western Kenai Peninsula, which is considered “Alaska’s Playground.”
This makes this highway more dangerous during summer when tourists and locals visit the area for various activities, such as rafting, canoeing, and hiking.
There is also a risk of getting trapped in wildfires, a common occurrence on Sterling Highway.
To avoid problems driving through Sterling Highway during summer months, check weather and road conditions before heading out.
4. Richardson Highway
It is one of the scariest roads in Alaska because of the many hazards of driving at night and through thick snow.
Richardson Highway starts at Valdez, passes through Thompson Pass, and ends at Fairbanks.
Thompson Pass has the highest annual snowfall record in Alaska, making passing through it extremely dangerous without proper care.
You will also find limited services, such as gas stations and food stops, along the path.
5. Denali Highway
The Denali Highway is notorious for having over 110 miles of gravel path. Only the first 21 miles out of Paxson and the last 2 miles before Cantwell are paved.
The road has the most beautiful sights of the Alaska Range.
However, most rental companies often do not allow drivers to pass through the Denali Highway because of the high likelihood of blowing a tire or more serious car damage.
Hence, you must be fully equipped before driving through this highway, especially since there are few gas stations and stops.
Still, if you decide to go on an overnight road trip through the Denali Highway, you might just catch the northern lights from one of its 4 available lodgings.
You must also keep to a speed limit of 35 mph when driving through this road since sharp rocks can easily blow out your tires.
Additionally, the Denali Highway can have the most unpredictable weather and lowest temperatures, especially during winter.
6. McCarthy Road
Running 59 miles from Edgerton Highway in Chitina to McCarthy, this road will give you captivating wilderness views.
The McCarthy Road takes at least 2 hours to journey through, and you should not rush it, as this gravel road can be as harsh to your tires as the Denali Highway.
It would also help to remember that this road sometimes narrows to almost only one lane.
7. Hatcher Pass
Hatcher Pass is one of the shortest on our list of most dangerous roads in Alaska, traversing only 50-60 miles of mountain pass. It connects the cities of Palmer and Willow.
Being a mountain pass, driving through some bends and turns can feel like riding a roller coaster, so agility behind the wheel is crucial.
This road has a shorter 15-mile stretch of unpaved gravel, so you must be cautious when driving through it.
However, being a shorter road than others on this list, it is relatively easier to find help when you need it.
How to prepare for a drive on a scary mountain road in Alaska
While Alaska has some of the most dangerous roads in the country, accidents and hazards are often preventable with careful planning and preparation.
Remember these four steps before driving in Alaska:
Get a vehicle in good condition
Considering the number of dangerous roads in Alaska, it is important to ensure that your car does not break down in the middle of a place with no medical services or cell signal for the next 50 miles.
It would also be best to remember that some Alaskan roads can be unforgiving to your tires, so it would be best to check your tire pressure before driving.
If you do not want to risk bringing your own vehicle, you can rent one instead. However, be sure to assess your options carefully.
It would help to look up various rental companies and check customer reviews about whether their cars are properly maintained.
Make sure to research in advance what roads are off-limits to rentals, such as the Denali Highway.
Check for areas prone to car accidents
Many places in Alaska are reachable via various routes. Thus, it may be best to steer clear of the most dangerous roads and find alternate routes.
If one of the paths listed above is unavoidable in your trip, look up car accident histories in the area to figure out which stretches are the most hazardous.
For many of these roads, there will only be certain bends or drops that pose the most danger. Therefore, knowing them in advance will allow you to be extra cautious.
Check weather and road conditions
Some dangerous roads in Alaska are more treacherous in certain seasons or inclement weather conditions.
Unlike car accidents, some accidents and road problems — such as avalanches, wildfires, and rockslides — may be completely unpreventable.
To prevent getting caught in such situations, it pays to check weather predictions ahead of time. For instance, you can avoid roads with unusually thick snowfall during winter, high winds, or lightning storms, as they often have poor visibility.
When driving through Alaska’s most dangerous roads during tourism season, also be wary of congested routes, such as the Seward and Sterling Highways.
Bring essential gear and supplies
Once you feel confident about your vehicle, route, and schedule, the last step is to pack all the essentials.
No matter how careful you are driving through dangerous roads, you need fuel to keep your car running and spare food to keep you energized and alert.
You might also need a spare tire, a jack, and other basic auto repair supplies for quick fixes.
Tips for driving safely on dangerous roads in Alaska
Even after you have made all the required preparations for driving through dangerous roads in Alaska, you still need to stay focused and vigilant on the road.
Here are some tips to keep you safe during your visit to Alaska:
Pay attention to traffic signs, speed limits, and road hazards
Each road has its own specifics, so being vigilant and aware of speed limits and traffic signs is a good way to prevent accidents. Slow down when necessary, be cautious, and obey posted speed limits.
You must also activate the correct vehicular signal lights to help other drivers maneuver their cars.
Inspect your vehicle before driving
Before starting a long road trip, inspect your vehicle and make sure it’s in good condition.
Also, pay attention to any warning signs before entering dangerous roads. For instance, having a faulty brake can be fatal on a road such as Dalton Highway.
Avoid distractions
While you can’t control how other drivers operate other vehicles, you can reduce the risk of crashing into them by accident by avoiding distractions.
Spots like the Seward Highway can entice sightseers, but remember that your safety must come first.
Keep a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead
Alaska is known for having one of the highest numbers of car collisions involving moose.
When you are behind the wheel, you can be alert enough to stop yourself in time when a moose suddenly dashes forward. However, other drivers might not be as agile.
By keeping a good distance between yourself and the car in front, you are giving yourself sufficient time to brake safely when the vehicle you are following abruptly stops.
Be aware of the road conditions
It is always a good practice to assess the road conditions and adjust your driving accordingly. Adjust your pace and driving style based on what you can see and hear around you.
Never underestimate how dangerous some roads can be
One of the most important reminders we can give you is to never underestimate these dangerous roads.
Reading through this post and combing through other resources about roads in Alaska will help you have a smoother driving experience, but it can’t guarantee 100% safety.
Thus, we always recommend caution before confidence and keeping road and weather conditions in mind.
Takeaway
The State of Alaska boasts some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring views in the world, but it also has some of the most menacing roads.
The most important thing to remember when driving through these routes is to always be vigilant.
Ample preparation is key to preventing vehicle accidents, and having the presence of mind will ensure that you can respond calmly and quickly to emergencies and reach your destination safely.
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