RV Driving Tips: Alaska and Yukon Road Trip (2026)

If you’re planning an RV road trip in Alaska and the Yukon, driving an RV is one of the main highlights. It was my first time behind the wheel of one, and feeling out of your comfort zone is completely normal at first. But the moment you hit the road, you’ll quickly get used to the size.

In this guide, you’ll find everything I wish I had known before my trip, from choosing the right RV and planning fuel stops, to navigating remote roads and camping in Alaska.

How to Choose an RV for a Road Trip in Alaska & Yukon

On your first RV trip to Alaska, it’s important you’re well prepared and understand the basics of driving an RV. Unlike a regular car, driving an RV in Alaska requires a bit more planning. When I first started researching RV rentals for my trip, I found it all quite overwhelming. To make it easier for you, below I cover the basics and how to choose the right RV for a road trip in Alaska and Yukon.

Which RV Should You Book

RVs come in different sizes and with a range of features. Some include a bathroom and a full kitchen, while others are more basic and offer little more than a sleeping space. For a trip to Alaska, I’d recommend booking an RV with a kitchen and bathroom, as you’ll often be in remote areas. Having the ability to prepare both food and get freshen up on board will save you a lot of hassle.

There are different RV sizes, from the very big ones to the compact ones. For our first trip to Alaska we decided to rent a Class C RV, for the extra room and comfort. For reference, we were driving as a group of 4 adults.

Class A RVs
Very big and offering the most comfort, but they’re also more difficult to drive.

Class C RVs
Slightly more compact compared to Class A, with similar comforts. Class C RVs are a good choice for first timers, especially couples and small families. This model tends to come in small, medium or large as well.

Class B RVs (vans)
The easiest to drive but they don’t offer a lot of space inside. If you want to save on fuel and plan on doing a lot of driving this could be a good option for you.

Camper Trailers
If you’d like to drive your own car or truck while still having an RV experience, using camper trailers can be a good idea. This option is ideal for those that don’t mind towing and want to detach the RV to explore without the extra weight. If you plan on driving a lot on gravel roads, this is a great option.

Best Places to Rent an RV: Alaska vs Whitehorse

If you’re planning a road trip to Alaska, you have two options: you can fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks for an Alaska only road trip, or you fly into Whitehorse in Canada and do a Yukon and Alaska road trip. I recommend choosing the second options, as we did, if you have the time and don’t mind driving long distances.

Having done a 14-day USA West Coast road trip before, we were already used to covering big distances, which made the Yukon–Alaska route feel very manageable.

Whitehorse is the gateway to Alaska and a great starting point on the Alaska Highway.

We rented our RV in Whitehorse, as prices were much lower compared to Alaska and flights into Whitehorse were cheaper as well. We had no prior RV experience, but the rental company gave us a full walkthrough of the RV and provided a guide we could refer to throughout our trip.

Recommended rental companies in Whitehorse: Fraserway RV, GoNorth and CanaDream. Reserving in advance is highly recommended, especially if traveling between July and August.

Alaska has larger cities, such as Anchorage and Fairbanks that offer a wider range of RV models. These locations are a better option for anyone looking into more comfortable and roomier RVs.

If you’re planning an Alaska road trip later in the season, local rental companies are likely to still be open, unlike in Whitehorse, where they tend to close much earlier.

Prices for RV rentals are higher in Alaska, especially during the peak season, but it can be a good option if you’re not interested in a longer road trip from Whitehorse.

RV Insurance and What to Do if Things Go Wrong

RV insurance in the North is essential. Anything can happen on the road, from a moose suddenly crossing in front of your vehicle, to a flat tire in a remote area, weather-related damages, or worse.

We simply added RV insurance to our rental agreement when we collected the vehicle but make sure you ask about:

• Collision Coverage: your entire itinerary should be covered. Some remote areas in Alaska and Yukon might be excluded.
• Liability Insurance: in case you damage other vehicles or property.
• Comprehensive Insurance: for theft, vandalism, natural disasters.
• Roadside Assistance: very important, especially if you plan to explore remote areas, such as Tombstone Territorial Park, and your vehicles breaks down or runs into issues.

Costs of Renting an RV in Whitehorse vs Alaska

Renting an RV in Whitehorse is cheaper than Anchorage or Fairbanks. This is due to lower demand and less tourists compared to Alaska.

During the peak season (June to August) the average price per day is CAD $280 in Whitehorse vs CAD $320 in Anchorage. Both prices however do not include unlimited mileage.

I’s also recommend checking the RV rental websites for any seasonal offers and discounts. In our case, Fraserway RV was running a great anniversary discount, which made renting with them a lot cheaper than other companies.

RV Driving Tips: From Whitehorse to Alaska

Alaska Highway is the primary road connecting Whitehorse to Alaska. The road is a mix of gravel stretches, paved highways and sometimes rough construction areas.

The driving conditions depend largely on the season, location and the weather. So every year road conditions can vary.

How are Road Conditions in Alaska vs Yukon

In Yukon, from Whitehorse to the Alaska border, most of the road is paved but you’ll still drive through construction zones and bumpy roads that are not so nice to drive through in an RV. If the road is not even, the RV will shake, it’s inevitable.

Once you cross the boarder with Alaska, the road conditions improve by a lot. Majority of the roads in Alaska are paved and well-maintained. But the northern you go, the more common gravel roads will become.

The Canada-Alaska Border Crossing

There are two main border crossings between Canada and Alaska. The first one is the Alcan port of entry and the second is Little Gold Creek.

We drove through both but I would recommend you aim for Alcan border crossing from Whitehorse to Alaska and if you’re driving back to Whitehorse then go through Little Gold Creek.

While the Alcan border remains open year-round, except in harsh winter conditions, the Little Gold Creek border closes around mid September until mid May. Keep this in mind if you’re driving to Alaska in the shoulder season.

Best Months for an Alaska RV Road Trip

The best months for an RV road trip in Alaska are between June and September. Not only don’t you risk that roads are closed due to weather conditions, but days are also longer (up to 19 hrs of daylight in some areas of Alaska).

While these months offer the best weather conditions to visit, it’s also the most popular tourist time. This means higher RV rental prices, more crowds and reservations required in advance.

We visited at the beginning of September and got a chance to also experience fall in Denali National Park and the colorful foliage in Tombstone in Yukon.

Realistic Daily Driving Distances in an RV

Underestimating the daily driving distances was one of our biggest mistakes. Driving an RV on the Alaska Highway is slower than you think, especially when roads are not the best.

The entire drive from Whitehorse to Alaska is incredibly scenic, so I would recommend driving less but stopping more at the sights along the way. Also always add some extra time in your schedule for unexpected delays or if you simply want to spend some more time at given sights.

A comfortable daily distance in a Class C RV ranges between 320 – 480 km (200 – 300 mi). But if there are no sights along the way and you want to get to your destination faster you could push to 600 km (400 mi) per day. We’ve done it on a few of our days and I can confirm that it was exhausting.

How to Plan Fuel Stops

The general tip is to stop for fuel whenever you can, as sometimes you’ll drive through long stretches before you get to the next gas station.

If you can avoid plan your fuel stops around bigger towns and avoid touristy areas where prices are higher. We, for example, whenever possible got fuel from Costco at a good price.

How to Navigate in an RV

The first time you sit behind the wheel of an RV, the larger vehicle will feel unfamiliar. I personally found driving an RV easier than expected. You’ll need to be more careful when parking compared to a normal car, but Alaskan roads are broad and wide.

You’ll be driving through remote areas where cell phone signal can be spotty. I recommend downloading an offline map but also carrying a paper map. When I was planning my trip I made sure I carried the pdf version of the MilePost, which is a very useful resource for planning your road trip in Yukon and Alaska.

RV Camping in Alaska and Yukon: Where to Stay

One of the best parts of an RV trip is the flexibility. I’d recommend for your Alaska trip to have a mix of campgrounds and free camping. Aim to book a campground every 2-3 nights to recharge, shower and use the dump tanks. The rest of the time try out free camping.

Campgrounds and RV Parks

Before our trip we had a general idea of our Yukon and Alaska itinerary, the distance we wanted to drive every day and the main stops. This allowed us to plan where to stop for the night. But some days we decided to stop a bit earlier instead of driving longer to the campground in mind.

We’d learned from previous long road trips, including a 14-day Western Canada road trip from Vancouver to the Rockies, that being flexible often improves the overall experience.

Since we traveled in September, there were far fewer tourists than during peak season. We also opted for rest areas and campgrounds that were a little off the beaten path, and never once had a problem finding a spot.

This being said, you should have at least a general idea of where you want to stop for the night or where it’s allowed for you to park overnight.

If you stay at a campground expect to pay between $20 and $40 per night. Most campgrounds accept cash only. So make sure you have some cash in local currency on hand before your trip.

Free Camping

Free camping is the most accessible way of exploring Alaska and Yukon. Pullouts and rest areas along the Alaska Highway are incredibly common. You can park overnight in front of lake views and mountain scenery at no cost.

The only drawback is that you won’t have a hookup (no water or electricity to connect to), no bathrooms or additional services.

Camping Reservations in Advance

Many campgrounds are first-come first-served, not requiring an advance reservation. But if you’re traveling between June and August and are visiting popular areas, such as Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward, I’d recommend booking a campground in advance.

In fact, we rarely booked more than 2-3 campgrounds on our entire Alaska trip.

Practical Tips for First-Time RV Drivers

If you’re planning your first RV trip, you might be exited and at the same time scared to drive in a larger vehicle. But beyond driving it, you’ll also need to learn how to operate everything inside, from the kitchen to the water and electric systems.

RV 101 Guide: Key Areas to Watch Out

Usually when renting an RV, the rental company will give you a walk-through of the entire system. If you’re new to RVs, you’ll find a lot of different concepts thrown at you all at once. But don’t worry, once you know the basics you’ll find it pretty straightforward.

Every RV functions slightly different but the systems to know are:

There are two main water sources: freshwater used for drinking, washing and cooking; wastewater from the sink, shower and kitchen (grey water) and from the toilet (black water).

The main battery powers the lights and some appliances in the RV. It charges while you drive or when plugged into a power outlet at campgrounds.

The generator is usually used when you’re free camping or at campsites without hookups. You need to make sure the switch is turned off before you leave the campsite.

Propane is usually included in the RV rent price and is used for cooking, heating and running the fridge. If your trip is 2 weeks long, it’s very unlikely you’ll run out of propane but it never hurts to keep an eye on it.

As thrilling as RV life sounds, emptying the waste tanks is part of the experience. Surprisingly it’s not that bad. There are two tanks you should empty every couple of days: grey water (sink water) and black water (toilet waste).

There are usually dump stations at each campground, which is an excellent time to empty your waste tanks.

Water fills up faster than you’d think, even when you’re being careful. So if you’re generous with water use, keep an eye on your tank levels. We didn’t think about it and on one night we were too lazy to use the campground showers. This ended up in an emergency run to the dump station. Learn from our mistake on that one.

Daily RV Checklist

An RV trip is not meant to be for everyone, as it involves daily maintenance and keeping an eye on your systems. Therefore, a daily checklist is helpful to keep track of every item while still enjoying your holiday.

• Fuel & Battery: Keep track of your fuel regularly and stop at gas stations whenever possible.
• Water levels: Check how much freshwater you have left and your waste tanks before you travel to remote areas.
• Food & Supplies: Stop at local supermarkets in larger towns and stock on non-perishable meals, such as pasta, canned goods and snacks.
• Tires: check the pressure especially if you’re driving in hot or bumpy areas to avoid blowouts.
• Switches: turn the water and generator switches off before you start driving.

Also store appliances and items to avoid they break or fall while you drive.

Cooking in an RV

When cooking in an RV the main rule of thumb is to keep things simple and organized. We, for example, opted for chili and pasta dishes a lot.

The main utensils, such as pots, pans and cutlery, come usually with the RV or can be booked at an extra fee.

When washing dishes, be mindful of the water and don’t leave the tap running. Also, have a garbage bad for the trash, which you can dispose of at campgrounds or gas stations along the way.

What to Bring in an RV

In our campervan, the essential utensils, cleaning supplies, propane, first-aid kit, camping chairs and more were provided. Make sure you check this before your trip.

Pack warm clothes and some card games for entertainment at night.

If you have any non-negotiables (coffee maker was ours) make sure you reach out to the rental company to request it.

What to Expect on the Road

An RV trip through the Yukon and Alaska is an unforgettable experience. Be prepared for long scenic drives with very little infrastructure around and just sparce wilderness.

You can expect to see moose, bears or caribous on the road, especially around the national parks. We learned that the most popular times to spot a moose is at sunrise or dawn. In fact, we managed to see over 9 moose in less than 2 weeks!

Expect to stop often to take in the scenery and landscape. If you can, try not to rush it, which we did and slightly regret.

Plan for the unforeseeable weather. If the weather is bad, have another plan on how to spend the day. We had a Denali flight booked which got cancelled due to bad weather. As a result, we drove a bit longer on that day and reached Denali National Park, where we spent more time.

First-Time RV Drivers Questions

Is it hard to drive an RV?

I initially thought so but you adjust pretty quickly to the larger size. You’ll notice that driving an RV required some extra attention, you’ll have hidden spots you need to watch out for and parking may be a bit more challenging. But roads in Alaska are wide and generally manageable.

Do I need a special license to drive an RV on the Alaska Highway?

No, a standard driver’s license is sufficient to drive most rental RVs.

Can I park my RV in the wilderness on the Alaska Highway?

Yes, free camping is allowed along the Alaska Highway in designated pullouts and public lands, but check the signs and if there are any posted restrictions.

How long does the drive from Whitehorse to Alaska take?

Driving from Whitehorse to the Alaska border takes about 6 hours without stops.

Is it better to rent an RV in Whitehorse or Anchorage?

It depends on your Alaska itinerary and budget. Whitehorse is great if you want to visit Yukon as well before driving into Alaska. On the other hand, Anchorage is better if you want to focus on Alaska only.

How far apart are the gas stations on the Alaska Highway?

Gas stations can be between 100km and 200km apart, but if you’re driving through remote areas, that might be more. It’s best to fill up whenever you can and avoid letting your tank drop below 1/4.

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