Flanked by wilderness, the loop route between Anchorage and Fairbanks holds a microcosm of Alaska within its 700-mile stretch. No matter how you choose to travel it—by car, motorcoach, train or a combination thereof—you’ll discover unique towns, North America’s highest peak, glaciers, wildlife, tundra and the singular characteristics that make Alaska, well, Alaska, along the way.
The clockwise loop begins in Anchorage and heads to Fairbanks on the Parks Highway, then from Fairbanks to Glennallen on the Richardson Highway, and finally from Glennallen back to Anchorage on the Glenn and Parks Highways. Each of these highways offers its own incomparable scenic journey.
You can opt to drive the entire route, or you can board the Alaska Railroad for the Anchorage to Fairbanks leg and rent a car in Fairbanks to drive the remaining legs of the loop…