Alaska driving guide

Planning a family camping trip or romantic getaway to Alaska? Our guide covers everything you need to stay safe on the road during your next visit to the northernmost state.

Read on to find out more about the speed limits, toll roads and other essential information for driving in Alaska.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Alaska and Canada
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• As you approach a roundabout, slow down and enter to the right of the island when safe to do so. Always yield to traffic currently on the roundabout, or to the car on your right if you approach at the same time.
• When a green light shows at an intersection, yield to pedestrians and vehicles already on the road.
• When driving on Alaskan roads, you should indicate your intention to move left or right on or off a roadway. The signal must be active for the last 100 feet before turning or moving and should be turned off once the maneuver is complete.
• When driving at night, you should turn your headlights on 30 minutes after sunset and leave them on until 30 minutes before sunrise.
• Some remote Alaskan roads will require you to exercise extreme caution. In these situations, drivers should always use their headlights.
• Texting on a cell phone while driving is an offense in Alaska and will be enforced by police. However, you can use a phone to make phone calls, both hands on and hands free.   

Speed limits in Alaska

Different roads have different speed limits in Alaska. Some of these will be marked with road signs, but others might not. Find out the maximum limits for different areas and vehicle types below.

Toll roads in Alaska

The state of Alaska has just one toll road. Officially named the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the road is also known as the Whittier Tunnel. Connecting the town of Whittier to Anchorage via Highway 1, the tunnel travels under Maynard Mountain and is the longest highway tunnel in North America.   

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel

Maynard Mountain and The Anton Memorial Tunnel can be found roughly 60 miles southeast of Anchorage and connects the city to Whittier. A single lane road with tracks for trains, the tunnel can accommodate traffic from either direction. This means vehicles may need to wait for the tunnel to be clear before driving through.  

To/From: Whittier

To/From: Highway 1

Cost for car: $13 / $22 with a trailer

Cost for truck: $13 plus an additional fee for every axle above two.

How to pay: Payments can be made via cash, local checks, travelers’ checks, Visa or Mastercard.

Driving ages and license requirements in Alaska

• The minimum driving age in Alaska is 18 years old.
• The minimum age to rent a car with Hertz in Alaska is 21 years old.

Some vehicles are not available to rent for those under 25. However, you can still access a wide range of cars, from compact hatchbacks to SUVs. Find out more in our guide for drivers under 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Alaska

Alaska’s remoteness and cold weather means you may need to carry more in your car than you would in other states. A good equipment list would include:

• Sunglasses
• Gloves
• An ice scraper
• A snow shovel
• Jump cables
• A tow strap
• Flares
• Duct tape.

If you’re traveling further afield, you may need to pack some basic survival equipment in case of emergencies. This can include:

• A small bag of sand or kitty litter (for traction on snow)
• A flashlight with spare batteries
• A first aid kit
• A multi-tool
• Winter-appropriate clothing and footwear
• A sleeping bag or blankets
• Basic toiletries
• Non-perishable food and water.

Alaska speed violations, infractions and penalties

A speeding violation in Alaska will cost you a maximum of $300. You can also expect to receive between two and six points on your license. If you receive 12 points in 12 months or 18 points within 24 months, your license will be suspended.

Alaska’s speeding laws include a caveat that prevents driving faster than is ‘reasonable and prudent considering the traffic, roadway and weather conditions.’ This means that the legal speed limits are reduced in poor driving conditions. 

Driving with children in Alaska

Children under the age of 16 must be secured with a federally approved seat belt or in a child seat.

• Any child weighing less than 20lbs or under the age of one should be secured in a rear-facing seat.
• Children between the ages of one and four and weighing over 20lbs must be secured with a forward-facing seat.
• Children between the ages of four and eight that weigh between 20-65lbs and are shorter than 57 inches must use a booster seat. If a child between these ages exceeds these weight or height parameters, they can use a seat belt. Likewise, a child between the ages of eight and 16 who doesn’t exceed the height or weight requirements can still use a booster seat at the discretion of the driver.

In Alaska, there is no law that forbids children from sitting in the front seat of a car. However, it is recommended to keep them in the back for as long as possible.

Gas prices in Alaska

The average gas price in Alaska is $4.74 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Chevrolet Spark, that’s about $0.16 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Chrysler Pacifica, it works out at $0.21 per mile.
• For an SUV like a Ford Expedition, it’s also around $0.21 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated November 9, 2022.

Electric car charging in Alaska

Alaska has very few EV charging stations in comparison to other states. In 2021, Alaska had the fewest charging ports of any US state. Almost all of these are in Anchorage and Juneau. As such, you may find trips to remote parts of Alaska difficult in an EV.

If you’re traveling in Alaska with an EV, it’s wise to plan your journey in advance to prevent being stranded with an empty battery.

Driving between Alaska & Canada

If you choose to visit neighboring Canada when in Alaska, your agreement with Hertz allows you to drive your rental vehicle across the border and use it there. Just make sure you let a member of our team know in advance, so they can provide more detail about guidelines and Canadian regulations.

Driving conditions in Alaska

The Alaskan climate is mild during summer and very cold in the winter. Alaska’s most northern reaches are within the Arctic Circle, where snow can cover the ground any month of the year. In mid-winter, you should also bear in mind the sun doesn’t rise for weeks at a time.

Most major cities in Alaska are based in the south and experience relatively mild weather compared to the rest of the state. However, Alaska rarely sees temperatures exceeding 70°F.

When driving in Alaska outside of summer be prepared for icy roads and extreme weather.