As the main access route to a region that was named after the original inhabitants’ descriptive names Alyeska (“The Great Land”) and Yukon (“The Great River”), the highway offers a unique, never-to-be-forgotten experience for those who come prepared to look and listen carefully.
Called the Alaska Military Highway at first, it then became the Alaska-Canada Highway, which was shortened to Alcan before finally being replaced by Alaska Highway, the name by which it is officially known today. To the people who built it, though, it was simply The Road. For 8 months, the lives of about 27,000 soldiers and civilians were dominated by The Road, and for most, it would remain one of the highlights of their lives.
Because of extensive re-routing and straightening, the length of the highway has been reduced dramatically since it was first pushed through. Originally the Alaska Highway was 1,671 miles (2,673 kilometres) long, and by the time it had been upgraded to an all-weather road a few months later, it was down to 1,520 miles (2,432 km). Of that, 655 miles (1,048 km) were in British Columbia, 567 miles (907 km) in the Yukon, and 298 miles (477 km) in Alaska.
| Community | Approx. km | Distance from previous |
|---|---|---|
| Watson Lake | 980 | 12 km from B.C. border (km 968) |
| Teslin | 1244 | ≈ 264 km |
| Johnson’s Crossing | 1296 | ≈ 52 km |
| Whitehorse | 1419–1426 | ≈ 125–130 km |
| Haines Junction | 1578 | ≈ 154 km |
| Destruction Bay | 1684 | ≈ 106 km |
| Burwash Landing | 1702 | ≈ 18 km |
| Beaver Creek | 1870 | ≈ 168 km |
| Alaska–Yukon border | 1902 | ≈ 32 km |
Kilometre figures are approximate and follow Yukon kilometre posts. Always check 511 Yukon before you travel. Last updated: October 2026.
Today the Alaska Highway is about 2,232 km (1,387 miles) long, from Mile 0 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Delta Junction, Alaska. Rerouting and straightening since the 1940s have made it shorter than the original road.
Kilometre 0 is at the traffic circle in Dawson Creek, B.C. The official end is Delta Junction, Alaska. Many travellers continue about 158 km (98 miles) on the Richardson Highway to Fairbanks.
The Government of Yukon maintains the highway from the B.C.–Yukon border at kilometre 968, near Watson Lake, to the Alaska–Yukon border at kilometre 1902, north of Beaver Creek. That is roughly 930 km of driving. In southeastern Yukon the road crosses the B.C.–Yukon boundary several times.
Heading northwest, the main Yukon communities are Watson Lake (about km 980), Teslin (about km 1244), Johnson’s Crossing (about km 1296), Whitehorse (about km 1419–1426), Haines Junction (about km 1578), Destruction Bay (about km 1684), Burwash Landing (about km 1702) and Beaver Creek (about km 1870).
Plan on at least two long driving days for the roughly 930 km between the B.C. border and Alaska, and three to five days if you want to stop and explore. Travel Yukon lists Whitehorse to Haines Junction at about 2 hours (154 km) and Haines Junction to Beaver Creek at about 4 hours (292 km).
Yes. The Alaska Highway is paved and open all year, though summer construction can mean short gravel sections, and frost heaves and chip seal are common. In winter, expect snow, ice, cold and short daylight hours. Prepare your vehicle and check conditions before you go.
Use 511 Yukon (511yukon.ca), the Government of Yukon’s official source for road conditions, closures, construction, weather and border information. You can sign up there for email or text alerts. For the B.C. section use DriveBC (drivebc.ca), and for the Alaska section use Alaska 511 (511.alaska.gov).
May to September offers the longest daylight, the best road conditions and the most open visitor services. Many lodges, campgrounds and attractions are seasonal. If you travel in the shoulder seasons or winter, call ahead and plan your fuel stops carefully.
The U.S. Army began building the highway in March 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Around 11,000 soldiers and engineers, about 16,000 civilians and 7,000 pieces of equipment were involved. The pioneer road was officially opened at Soldier’s Summit, near Kluane Lake, on November 20, 1942. Local First Nations guides played a vital role, and the highway opened to unrestricted civilian travel in 1948.
At the Alcan–Beaver Creek border crossing, at kilometre 1902 in Yukon (Milepost 1221.8 on the Alaska side). The U.S. Alcan port of entry is open 24 hours a day. Canada’s customs station is at Beaver Creek, about 30 km before the border for southbound travellers. Make sure you carry valid travel documents for both countries.
Watson Lake
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Watson Lake
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Watson Lake
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Beaver Creek
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Whitehorse
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Watson Lake
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Kluane
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Watson Lake
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Watson Lake
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Haines Junction
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Marsh Lake
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Whitehorse
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Whitehorse
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Southern Lakes
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Southern Lakes
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Haines Junction
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Destruction Bay
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Southern Lakes
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Watson Lake
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Watson Lake
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Southern Lakes
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Whitehorse
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