1st leg of Alaska trip Durango CO to Dawson Cr BC

[powerscol]

I am looking at going up to I15 and then north crossing border at Coutts/Milk River area, then north to Calgary using route 4 and 2. From that point I have two directions I could go.

1st option. Head north to Edmonton on 2 then west on 16 and catch 43 north to Grande Prairie and then on to Dawson Cr. Looks to be the most direct and fastest

OR
2nd option. At Calgary head west on 1 which joins 93 north at Lake Louise then continue north on 93 to Jasper. At Jasper take 16 NW over to Prince George then 97 to Dawson CR.

There is a 3rd option. At Jasper go north on 16 to Hilton then take 40 to Grande Prairie. However 40 looks to be a long lonely secondary road with one town Grande Cache, Upside - looks to be a lot of camping along the way

Time is not critical. I will be towing my Reflection 220RK 5th wheel (27') with my new to come 2022 F350 6.7 diesel. I am used to mountains roads.

Thanks for any thoughts

[livinthelife]

I am looking at going up to I15 and then north crossing border at Coutts/Milk River area, then north to Calgary using route 4 and 2. From that point I have two directions I could go.

1st option. Head north to Edmonton on 2 then west on 16 and catch 43 north to Grande Prairie and then on to Dawson Cr. Looks to be the most direct and fastest

OR
2nd option. At Calgary head west on 1 which joins 93 north at Lake Louise then continue north on 93 to Jasper. At Jasper take 16 NW over to Prince George then 97 to Dawson CR.

There is a 3rd option. At Jasper go north on 16 to Hilton then take 40 to Grande Prairie. However 40 looks to be a long lonely secondary road with one town Grande Cache, Upside - looks to be a lot of camping along the way

Time is not critical. I will be towing my Reflection 220RK 5th wheel (27') with my new to come 2022 F350 6.7 diesel. I am used to mountains roads.

Thanks for any thoughts

We went up 40 from Hinton to Grand Prairie. It's a nice drive, just be aware of the signs/flags for frost heaves in the road.

We stayed at a KOA in Hinton that was very convenient. Didn't stay in Grande Prairie, but stopped for a while there.

[Bungy]

I am looking at going up to I15 and then north crossing border at Coutts/Milk River area, then north to Calgary using route 4 and 2. From that point I have two directions I could go.

1st option. Head north to Edmonton on 2 then west on 16 and catch 43 north to Grande Prairie and then on to Dawson Cr. Looks to be the most direct and fastest

OR
2nd option. At Calgary head west on 1 which joins 93 north at Lake Louise then continue north on 93 to Jasper. At Jasper take 16 NW over to Prince George then 97 to Dawson CR.

There is a 3rd option. At Jasper go north on 16 to Hilton then take 40 to Grande Prairie. However 40 looks to be a long lonely secondary road with one town Grande Cache, Upside - looks to be a lot of camping along the way

Time is not critical. I will be towing my Reflection 220RK 5th wheel (27') with my new to come 2022 F350 6.7 diesel. I am used to mountains roads.

Thanks for any thoughts

Option 1: Fastest and easiest, all four lane divided highway to Grande Prairie.
Option 2: Narrow winding mountain road from Lake Louise to Jasper. Bumper to bumper traffic in the summer, closed in winter. You’d also have to buy a National Parks pass. Bonus is you go right by the Columbia ice fields, could stop and take a tour on the glacier.
Option 3: Its a gross understatement to say the road from Hinton to Grande Prairie is lonely! Absolutely nothing but small town of Grande Cache, lots of heavy commercial traffic too. Camping would be strictly boondocking, no services.

[powerscol]

Option 1: Fastest and easiest, all four lane divided highway to Grande Prairie.
Option 2: Narrow winding mountain road from Lake Louise to Jasper. Bumper to bumper traffic in the summer, closed in winter. You’d also have to buy a National Parks pass. Bonus is you go right by the Columbia ice fields, could stop and take a tour on the glacier.
Option 3: Its a gross understatement to say the road from Hinton to Grande Prairie is lonely! Absolutely nothing but small town of Grande Cache, lots of heavy commercial traffic too. Camping would be strictly boondocking, no services.

Thanks so much for the information. I am set up for boondocking so that's not a problem. How much is the National Parks Pass and can I get it online ahead of time or is it just as easy at the park entrance?

Thanks

[diventure]

Your route depends entirely on what time of year you plan to make this trip and whether you plan on racing through Canada to get to Alaska or whether you want to take your time and stop and smell the roses. The quickest and least scenic of your options would be #2 north to Edmonton and then west on #16 and eventually north from there. The other 2 options take you through the mountains and National Parks. Agree they can be pretty congested in the summer months and not something you want to do in the winter months but I doubt you'll ever regret the scenic beauty. Contact the Provincial Government Tourism Offices to get a better idea of points of interest, historical stops, etc. Not sure what the NP Pass cost is but you won't have to mortgage the ranch to pay for it. Check out the Parks Canada website for details. I believe you can order online and ahead of time.

[Bungy]

Thanks so much for the information. I am set up for boondocking so that's not a problem. How much is the National Parks Pass and can I get it online ahead of time or is it just as easy at the park entrance?

Thanks

I’ve never taken the trailer on that road but we do it 2-3 times a year on the motorcycle, 10 bucks a head!

[Grandesigner]

OP, about how long are you planning for this trip, round trip?

[Nrbsrsr]

In '19 we did option #1 on the way to Alaska and option #2 on the way home. While it was all gorgeous IMO Rt93 between Jasper & Banff brought scenery up to a whole nother level. Local traffic in Calgary, Edmonston, Jasper & Banff can be challenging but not too bad other than that. Roads weren't bad and the federal park admission wasn't a biggy.

[Nrbsrsr]

Park entrance passes are bought at a toll booth when you enter the park boundaries.

[Grandesigner]

OP, about how long are you planning for this trip, round trip?

Or better yet, for those who have made this trip;
How many weeks is a good average to enjoy such a trip without rushing to and fro?