Car Hire Alaska

The Alaskan highway system is wide and open, featuring some of the quietest roads in the country. Hire a car to be soak up unspoiled views of the crisp landscape.

If you’re flying into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, drive north on the Walter J Hickel Parkway to reach Anchorage city centre, where you’ll find many of Alaska’s cultural attractions.

South of Anchorage, follow the Seward Anchorage Highway (AK-1) along the banks of Turnagain Arm to visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This is often recognised as one of the world’s best scenic drives.

Pass through Sunrise to visit beautiful coastal locations including the charming coastal city of Kenai.

Drive north-east from Anchorage to reach highway AK-4. This leads to Tanana Valley State Forest in the north and the Chugach National Forest in the south. Here, the incredible Worthington Glacier is visible from the roadside.

Anchorage and Fairbanks are a little over six hours apart – follow the George Parks Highway (AK-3) to take a road trip between these cities.

The Municipality of Anchorage advises preparing an emergency kit prior to long-distance travel in Alaska, especially during winter. This kit should include a torch, jump start leads, a shovel, scraper, warning device and warm blankets. The local government also advises to practice cold weather driving in daylight hours.

The Dalton Highway (AK-11) is the USA’s quietest. Along certain stretches, you can drive 240 miles without seeing a service station.

Cruise north between evergreen trees topped with powdery snow to enjoy wide, open lanes without a car in sight, but remember to plan your route carefully in advance.

This road extends north from Livengood, a small community north of Fairbanks, and crosses the Yukon River before passing the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, where you’ll find untrodden wilderness.  

From here, the Dalton Highway stretches all the way to Alaska’s northern tip and the Prudhoe Bay oil field.

America’s unspoiled paradise has laid-back towns and jagged wilderness stretching for thousands of miles. The unique culture is a breath of fresh air – so whether you’re hiring a car for holidays or business, it’s easy to find great things to do.

Discover America’s coolest scenery

Alaska is famous for two things – cool weather and beautiful scenery. The American state has almost 100,000 glaciers and ice covers five per cent of the land. The snowy mountains and lush valleys provide great ground for hiking and skiing.

In Anchorage, the summer can be sunny and bright, with temperatures of 65°F (18°C) in July. It’s the perfect time to explore the deep green forests and azure ice caps.

Denali is the tallest mountain on the entire continent, standing proud at 20,310 feet (6,190 metres) above sea level. It’s set in a national park 170 miles from Fairbanks – exit Parks Highway and join Park Road to find the visitor centre, where you can catch a film and see exhibits on the park’s wildlife.

There are beautiful trails nearby, complete with colourful blossoms each spring. If you dream of seeing Denali with your own eyes, park your car at mile 15 and board a shuttle bus. You may spot wildlife such as moose, wolves and reindeer.

Take in cultural attractions

Alaska’s many-layered history has shaped its many cultures. First populated 16,000 years ago, Alaska was settled by Spain, Britain and Russia before the US acquired it in 1867.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center at Anchorage is a fantastic place to learn about native customs. There’s an on-site theatre showcasing heritage films and the Hall of Cultures exhibits artwork from the five major cultural groups in Alaska. Travelling with children? Craft activities will keep the whole family entertained. 

Out of town, the Totem Heritage Center is a great place to get hands-on. There are 19th-century totem poles on display, each loaded with symbolism. You can also take a class in traditional basketry or regalia making.

Be fascinated by ghost towns

If you’re taking out car hire for a business trip in Alaska, you’ll know that settlements such as Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau are booming with industry. The flipside of Alaska’s lucrative trades can be found at seven eerie ghost towns peppered across the state.

Portage was wiped out by the second-largest earthquake ever recorded, while the stilted cliffside ruins of Ukivok on King Island have stood empty for more than 50 years.

The Kennicott ghost town, meanwhile, is a rustic former copper-mining town where red buildings contrast with the bright green landscape. Hire a car from Anchorage to discover the unexpected remnants of Alaskan history.

See the magical Northern Lights

Alaska is a popular place to chase the Aurora Borealis – the elusive green lights that flash across the night sky. Caused by solar wind, native Alaskans once believed these lights represented the spirits of hunted animals.

Fairbanks is often considered the best place to see the Northern Lights in the USA. The illuminations look sharpest from rural spots away from light pollution, so you’ll need to head out in your hire car to get the full effect. Try Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in good conditions.

Hire a car in Alaska to experience more of this wonderful part of the world.