Page 290 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

288  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Traveling by Car and RV miles. Fully equipped motor
homes usually include a bath-
Although it is possible, with some effort, to travel around room, a kitchen, and hideaway
Alaska on public transport, nothing compares to the freedom beds, sleeping four to eight
of the open road that comes with using a private or rental people and costing as much
vehicle. For both residents and visitors, driving is a necessary as $240 per day. National RV
part of life and will also be the only means of reaching many rental agencies such as Cruise
America and local ones such
sites of interest. The road system may be limited, but where it as ABC Motorhome Rentals,
is possible to drive, few will be disappointed with what is on Alaska Motorhome Rentals,
offer, as the scenery is spectacular throughout the state. In and Clippership Motorhome
addition, some fabulously scenic routes, such as the Denali Rentals offer a wide range of
Highway, the Elliott Highway, the Steese Highway, and the RVs. Great Alaskan Holidays
back roads of Southeast Alaska are accessible only by car. also rents larger RVs with
expanding “pop-out” liv ing
rooms. Private RV camp sites
usually provide dump stations
Renting a Car
them in a rental vehicle will and water and elec tricity
Anyone over 20 years of age invalidate any insurance or hookups. Some rental agree-
can rent a vehicle, but some maintenance agreements, which ments, espe cially those for
agencies impose a surcharge means an accident or break down over a week, include unlim ited
on people under 25. Overseas could wind up being very costly. mileage, while others may limit
visitors need an International However, be aware drivers to 50 or
Driving License if their home that renting a 100 miles (80 or
license is not in Roman script. It 4WD vehicle will 160 km) per day,
is also essential to have a credit typically double after which an
card to pay rental deposits, as the charge. Only addi tional per mile
few agencies accept cash. Child Denali Car Rental Kodiak Island charge applies.
seats or cars for disabled drivers allows gravel road license plate
must be arranged in advance. travel (except on the Rules of the Road
Visitors who rent a car in Dalton Highway north
one city and leave it in another of the Yukon River) in a non- Alaska’s road systems are not
have to pay hefty drop-off fees. 4WD. They require advance as developed as those in the
Cars must be returned with booking, especially in the Lower 48, and there are less
a full tank of gas. summer peak season. than 60 miles (96 km) of free-
Collision Damage Waiver ways. Highway speed limits
(CDW) insurance, covering the range from 50 mph (80 kmph)
car for any visible dam age, and Renting an RV on frost-heaved roads to
state and local taxes can increase Renting a Recreational Vehicle 65 mph (105 kmph) for open
the final total by 20 to 30 percent. (RV) can be an excellent, if stretches on main roads. The
Discounts may be available expensive, way of getting limit on some highways is
for members of the American around. Rates are lowest 65 mph (105 kmph) but most
Automobile Association (AAA) before mid-May and after mid- roads are 55 mph (90 kmph).
or the American Association September. Smaller vehicles On gravel roads, the limit varies
of Retired Persons (see p273). start around $185 per day in from 30 mph (50 kmph) to
Most national agencies, such mid-summer with unlimited 50 mph (80 kmph). Posted
as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz,
Thrifty, and Enterprise, have
outlets at airports, but charge
more than local agencies and
may add airport taxes. For
inexpensive rentals, try the
local Cheap-wheels Rent-a-Car.
The biggest issue drivers will
face is that rental agen cies do
not allow their non-4WD (four-
wheel drive) cars to be taken on
unpaved roads or to be driven
off-road, and some of Alaska’s
finest routes are gravelled,
including the McCarthy Road
and the Taylor, Denali, Elliott,
Steese, Dalton, and Top of the
World Highways. Driving any of Traffic on Tudor Road, one of Anchorage’s main thoroughfares

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