The Alaska Highway from Mile 0 in Dawson Creek to Whitehorse is about 1,500 km of paved road, and in a motorhome it is best driven over six to eight days. Plan the overnights around Fort Nelson, Muncho Lake, Liard River Hot Springs and Watson Lake, fill the fuel tank in every town, and expect a handful of signed steep hills in northern British Columbia.
Below are the legs we suggest, using official highway kilometre markers from BC Parks and grade information from the BC Ministry of Transportation.
Before you leave Dawson Creek
- Visitor centre: the BC Ministry of Transportation's TranBC guide recommends stopping at the Dawson Creek visitor centre for campground and fuel information along the route. The Alaska Highway House in town tells the story of the highway's wartime construction.
- Fuel: the highway is fully hard-surfaced, but TranBC warns that some gas stations can be far apart. Top up whenever you pass a town, even at half a tank.
- Headlights: drive with headlights on, especially in rain or dust, so you are easier to see.
- Road reports: check DriveBC for the BC section and 511 Yukon after the border.
- Guidebook: The Milepost, updated annually, lists services mile by mile and is worth carrying.
- Accommodation and campgrounds: book ahead for July and August, when traffic peaks.
The signed steep hills
TranBC lists the main grades on the BC section, which is where most of the climbing happens:
| Hill | Section | Grade and length |
|---|---|---|
| South Taylor Hill | Dawson Creek to Fort St. John | 6 to 10% over 5 km |
| Sikanni South Hill | Fort St. John to Fort Nelson | 9% over 3 km |
| Sikanni North Hill | Fort St. John to Fort Nelson | 8% over 2 km |
| Steamboat Hill | Fort Nelson to Watson Lake | 8% over 2 km |
| Summit North 1 Hill | Fort Nelson to Watson Lake | 8% over 2 km |
| Summit North 2 Hill | Fort Nelson to Watson Lake | 6% over 1.7 km |
None is long by mountain standards, but they are steep enough to heat brakes in a loaded motorhome. Shift down or engage Tow/Haul before each descent and let trucks pass on the climbs.
Day-by-day legs
| Day | Leg | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dawson Creek to the Fort St. John area | Short first day. Detour to the curved wooden Kiskatinaw Bridge in Kiskatinaw Provincial Park, then stop at Charlie Lake, with Charlie Lake and Beatton provincial parks on either shore. |
| 2 | Fort St. John to Fort Nelson | Long day with the Sikanni hills. Fuel in Fort St. John; Mile 80 Rest Area is the last provincial rest area heading north. Andy Bailey Regional Park near Fort Nelson has 12 unserviced campsites. |
| 3 | Fort Nelson to Muncho Lake | Into the Northern Rockies via Stone Mountain (km 595), then Muncho Lake (km 681). |
| 4 | Muncho Lake to Liard River Hot Springs | About 60 km. Arrive early, soak in the afternoon and stay the night. |
| 5 | Liard River to Watson Lake | Follow the Liard River into the Yukon. Watson Lake has full services and repairs. |
| 6 | Watson Lake to Teslin | Long, quiet stretch; fuel in Watson Lake before leaving. |
| 7 | Teslin to Whitehorse | Shorter final day into the Yukon capital. |
With extra time, add a second night at Muncho Lake or Liard. Use your own mapping app for exact leg distances, and check current service hours, which change by season.
Best overnights along the way
Fort Nelson
At historic Mile 300, Fort Nelson is the gateway to the Northern Rockies. Its visitor centre near the Fort Nelson Museum is, according to TranBC, the last Tourism BC visitor centre on the rest of the Alaska Highway, so collect information here.
Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain Provincial Park sits at the 595 km mark, about 140 km west of Fort Nelson. Summit Lake campground is the base for short hikes such as the Erosion Pillars Trail, and the area has a good chance of wildlife sightings.
Muncho Lake
The jade-green lake stretches for 12 km beside the highway at about km 681. BC Parks runs two campgrounds: Strawberry Flats, and MacDonald another 11 km north. Watch for Stone's sheep and moose on the approach past Folded Mountain.
Liard River Hot Springs
At km 765, about 60 km north of Muncho Lake, Liard River Hot Springs is reached by a boardwalk through boreal forest and warm-water swamp. The Alpha pool has a shallow end for children, and BC Parks posts set pool hours, and a modest day-use fee applies in summer, payable at the gatehouse. It is one of the most popular stops on the route, so book or arrive early if you plan to camp.
Watson Lake
Just over the Yukon border, Watson Lake is the junction with the Stewart-Cassiar Highway and home to the Sign Post Forest, started by a soldier during the highway's construction. Travel Yukon encourages visitors to add their own sign pointing home.
Fuel, water and supplies
Services on the Alaska Highway are spread out, and many smaller lodges and stations work seasonal hours. Rough Guides puts food, fuel and lodging at intervals of 40 to 80 km, while TranBC cautions that some gas stations can be far apart, so treat every town as a fuel stop.
- Full-service towns: Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Watson Lake and Whitehorse have the widest choice of fuel, groceries and repairs. Fort Nelson and Watson Lake are the key resupply points in the middle.
- Fresh water and tanks: fill fresh water and empty holding tanks whenever you have a serviced campground or dump station, and ask at visitor centres where the next ones are.
- Propane: refill in the larger towns rather than waiting until you are low.
- Food: carry two days of meals, plenty of drinking water, juice and snacks, in case a planned stop is closed.
- Hyland River Provincial Park is the last provincial park before the Yukon border, useful for a break on the Liard to Watson Lake leg.
Wildlife, weather and road habits
- Wildlife on the road: Destination BC notes Stone's sheep, caribou, elk and bears along the Northern Rockies section, and BC Parks flags moose near Muncho Lake. Slow down, never stop in a lane, and stay in the vehicle.
- Trucks: take care when passing or being passed by heavy trucks, and pull over at a safe spot to let convoys go by.
- Road work: summer maintenance can cause delays, so check DriveBC each morning and build slack into the day.
- Long daylight: summer evenings are very long, which makes it easy to over-drive. Stop at a set time each day.
- Emergencies: carry water, snacks, a first-aid kit and a paper map. Cell coverage can be limited between towns, so tell someone your plan for the day.
Planning notes
Many travellers drive this route one way and fly home from Whitehorse, so compare one-way fees early using our guide to one-way RV rentals. Check what your rental allows in motorhome rentals for the Alaska Highway, and continue the trip with our Yukon and Alaska road trip ideas. Far & Away Adventures can book the motorhome, the key campgrounds and your flight home as one plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Alaska Highway paved all the way to Whitehorse?
Yes. TranBC describes the highway as fully hard-surfaced, though summer construction can mean short gravel sections and delays.
How many days do I need from Dawson Creek to Whitehorse?
Six days is the practical minimum for a motorhome, and seven or eight days gives time to enjoy Muncho Lake and the hot springs without long driving days.
Can I drive the Alaska Highway in a rental motorhome?
Usually yes, but rental companies set their own rules for northern travel and some restrict certain roads. Confirm the route is permitted under your rental agreement before booking.
Use this guide for trip ideas, not a current quotation or a guarantee of access, safety, inclusions or availability. Confirm the requirements and conditions for your dates, destination and provider before booking.