10 Notes On The Dalton Highway
As part of a trip to Alaska in the summer of 2022, I got to ride in a shuttle for several hundred miles on the Dalton Highway in northern Alaska. The Dalton Highway extends from just north of Fairbanks all the way to Deadhorse, near the Arctic Ocean and Prudhoe Bay.
It was built as infrastructure for the Alaska North Slope oil fields and was opened to the public in the mid-1990s. My Alaska trip included traveling on the Dalton Highway, but I did not realize it would be an experience and adventure in itself.
First, it’s long. The Dalton Highway is so long, spanning hundreds of miles and mostly unpaved due to permafrost. The journey is akin to traveling from Atlanta to Washington, D.C. In Alaska, “a little ways” on the highway is a significant distance, which surprised me.
Second, the highway is rough, mostly dirt and gravel, again due to permafrost. The road is primarily used by huge oil rig equipment trucks, making the travel speed limited to 40-45 miles an hour.
Third, the highway is incredibly remote. Contrary to my expectations, its remoteness begins just minutes out of Fairbanks, with expansive forests and minimal signs of human habitation.
Fourth, the Dalton Highway has its own subculture, including truck drivers and shuttle drivers who frequent this route, creating a unique community atmosphere.
Fifth, traveling the highway requires a plan. Even with a shuttle driver, logistics like sleeping arrangements, fuel, and water need consideration.
Sixth, logistics are bare bones. Gas stations and shops are minimal but functional, serving the needs of the highway’s users.
Seventh, the logistics are expensive. Everything must be trucked in and out, affecting the cost of goods and services along the highway.
Eighth, the drive is beyond beautiful, offering stunning views and diverse ecosystems, surprising for a highway journey.
Lastly, the highway is a human monument to engineering, showcasing the capability to build significant infrastructure in remote areas. It’s worth seeing in person for its testament to human ingenuity and the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.
