The AlCan is a great route to travel. With the improvements that have been done over the past 20 years, it is now almost a dream to drive.
Most of the big hills have been removed, and most of the curves are gone.
The people on the road are generally good, but in summer, you get a lot of tourist convoys. Plan your driving from 5 PM until early morning, and you will be fine.
The sun is up for most of the clock in summer, and it is dark for most of the clock in winter. Good lights are a must in the winter.
Road conditions are generally good, but in winter you may find a lot of ice in places. Black ice will surprise you.
Muncho Lake can be scary as you are driving between cliffs and the lake. The road is about 25 feet wide, and has several sharp turns. The cliffs rise over 1000 feet, and the lake on the other side is at least that deep.
Steamboat mountain used to be a great place to be in the right seat with a new driver. A sharp turn to the right as you reach the top, and then the road disappears in front of you. If you pull into the turnout on the right side at the top, you can take a look out over the valley below. Beautiful!
I hope you do get a chance to make the trip.
Your CDL will serve you fine once you cross the border. BC has not yet instituted a mountain endorsement for driving their roads.
You will need a passport in a year or so due to the requirements of the Homeland Security to re-enter the United States.
The Customs and Immigration post into Alaska is quite small, and they do not operate 24 hours, so some trip planning is required. Make sure your log book is up to date and accurate. You will be audited. They have the time to do it to every truck that passes, and they will.
HOS regs change in Alaska. You have more time allowed for driving due to the distances between rest areas.
It will only take a few trips for you to find the right places to stop for meals. Most places are good, but there are some that will take you back to 1950.
Summer travel requires insect repellent. Winter means that you need to carry survival gear. It can get very cold. 70 below is not unknown, and 50 below is common.
A cooler with some food is important if you get snowed in.
Keep your air system dry, and if you have a freightliner, be sure to drain the air dryer control line where it is warm. These tend to collect moisture and will freeze up on you causing the air dryer to dump all your air at the most inopportune time.
Know when and how to use the engine brake on the hills. You may find ice partway down the hill that can end up in a wreck.
All in all, the AlCan is not a highway for the new driver, but once you have some miles behind you, it can be done safely and makes a great trip.
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