Richardson Highway

Hi

We are travelling from Fairbanks to Valdez,( June 10th) we were planning to stop overnight in Paxson or Glenallen or should we drive through in the one day. If we stop does anyone have any recommendations

Thanks

Richardson Highway

You can make the drive in one day if you chose, but you would be driving quickly by all of the beautiful reasons to make the drive in the first place! There are other threads where I detailed the great things along the Richardson Highway. Take your time and enjoy it. You will be passing through old gold mining country and paralleling the pipeline. Plan on stopping several places to enjoy the scenery and to take a break.

I would suggest overnighting just south of Paxson; there are two pretty new places to choose from. Glennallen is fine, but it is a %26#39;big town%26#39; down in the forest. You will see more staying up in the Paxson area with the more open transition of tundra and taiga (boreal forest).

Then on the drive down you can always stop in Glennallen for information %26amp; lunch. Going past there be sure to cut off on the %26#39;Old Richardson'; to go past Copper Center. It is a very small diversion and very well worth it. Then take your time and enjoy the spectacular drive down to Valdez, after considering a stop and hike to the Worthington Glacier.

71

Richardson Highway

I would definitely stop for the night along the way.......

We spent 4 days in Paxson at these cabins http://www.denalihwy.com/

Host / Owner is a naturalist and he takes guests on an evening float trip (highly recommended) and also suggested many hiking trails to us......one that went right up to the face of the Gulkana Galcier........this would be a great place to break up your trip, get out and relax, stretch your legs......bring any groceries you will need from Fairbanks, though, as I recall there are no places to buy food around there, and whatever you bring with you will be much better than any of the few restaurants in the area.......

If you have time, certainly stay somewhere between Fairbanks and Valdez. However, it is 364 miles, an easy about 7-hour drive drive and very doable in one day. We drove all the way to Valdez and stopped for two hikes on the way, for a late lunch and finally to walk around Worthington Glacier