Until December 1994, travellers needed a permit to drive north of Disaster Creek (Mile 211)
in the summer, or north of the Yukon River crossing the rest of the year.
Though still primarily an industrial haul road, the Dalton sees increasing numbers
of adventurous tourists each year, from hikers and wildflower photographers to RVers and
motorcoach passengers.
It is very important for the independent traveller to come well prepared.
A vehicle should carry two spare tires, and be equipped with emergency supplies suitable for
the season. The only places to get fuel, food (meals, not groceries), and lodging are at
the Yukon Crossing, Coldfoot and Deadhorse. Lodging is available in Wiseman.
The most important points along the highway are:
"Paving" of the highway is ongoing, but the chipseal used on most sections breaks up fairly quickly, and in total about 3/4 of the road is still gravel.
A 1999 report by the US Department of Transportation estimated that it would cost $165 million to pave the entire 414 miles.
Coldfoot, at Mile 175, was first settled by gold miners about 1898, but totally
disappeared, only to be reborn as a service center for truckers and now tourists.
If you have questions about the Dalton Highway or any other routes, check the links below, or post your question on
the Alaska Forum at TripAdvisor.
Dalton Highway Links
BLM's Dalton Highway Guide
This excellent resource includes maps, driving tips, photos and much more.
Site of the Month - America's Northernmost Road
OpenRoad.TV has posted an excellent video of a trip up the Dalton Highway in a rented Jeep - a "must-see" for potential travellers. Also see
Part 2, which isn't linked from Part 1.
Dalton Highway Maps
Maps showing important mileposts and fishing information are posted.
Road Report
Weather and driving condition report for the length of the highway.
A Guide to Deadhorse & Prudhoe Bay
From accommodations and photos to job opportunities.
Doing the Dalton
This lengthy article by Bill Sherwonit from 2000 provides lots of good information for
travellers.
Dalton Highway Express
Passenger/freight service from Fairbanks to the Yukon River, Arctic Circle, Coldfoot,
Wiseman,
Galbraith Lake, and Prudhoe Bay.
Arctic Outfitters
Gravel road-ready automobile rentals, accommodation arrangements, travel packages and tours.
Coldfoot Camp
Located at Mile 175, offering a café, rustic overnight accommodations, tour services, fuel
and tire repair.
Coyote Air Service
Based at Coldfoot, with Dehavilland Beaver and Piper Super Cub aircraft for flightseeing or
transport.
Trans Alaska Pipeline
A great deal of information can be found here, from engineering facts to wildlife issues.
Colville Road
A 102-mile road running from the Dalton Highway across the Colville River to Nuiqsut
is currently being engineered.
Weather - Deadhorse Airport
Weather - Fairbanks
Weather - Galbraith Lake
May not be current.
Lynn's Road Trip
Lots of pictures in Lynn's funny journal about a trip up the road in a little car in 2000.
Sport Fishing Along the Dalton Highway
A .pdf-format brochure from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.
Paving Paradise...
Not everbody is in favour of tourists being able to use the Dalton Highway.
The motorcoach photo above is © by Ed Bovy, and is used here with permission from
the BLM Division of Community and Business Development.
The Prudhoe Bay photo is © by ARCO, and is used here with permission from
the Alaska Division of Tourism
The James Dalton Highway was built in 1974 to facilitate construction of the
Trans Alaska Pipeline. It was named to honour James William Dalton, an engineer involved in
early oil exploration efforts on Alaska's North Slope.
The Dalton Highway ends at Deadhorse, Mile 414. Deadhorse is the "public" part
of Prudhoe Bay, a conglomeration of oil camps which is the official community (ZIP code 99734).
Though Deadhorse only has a permanent population of about 25, it offers full services for the
traveller, from groceries to lodging, RV parking, car rentals and tours. How does a community
get a name like Deadhorse? Here's a tongue-in-cheek story by Deborah
Bernard from the Prudhoe Bay Journal:
