Taylor Highway
Gold rush country through Alaska's wildest maintained road
Alaska Route 5, better known as the Taylor Highway, runs 161 miles from the Alaska Highway near Tetlin Junction to the town of Eagle on the Yukon River, passing through the ghost town of Chicken and connecting to the Top of the World Highway. This is raw Alaska — a mostly gravel road that winds through the Fortymile Country, where gold rush history meets untamed wilderness. The road follows old mining trails and river valleys, crossing countless creeks where you can still pan for gold and see remnants of 1890s mining operations scattered through the landscape.
Difficulty ranges from easy to moderate depending on conditions, but any vehicle with decent ground clearance can handle it dry. Wet weather turns the clay-gravel mix treacherous, making 4WD essential. The road typically opens in May after winter closure and runs through October. Fuel is available only in Chicken (expensive) and Eagle, so carry extra from Tok. Cell service is non-existent, and this is bear country — both black and grizzly. Dispersed camping is unlimited, and you’ll likely encounter more wildlife than people on this genuine Last Frontier experience.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 161 mi / 259.1 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3685 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Tok, Alaska |
| Land manager | Alaska Department of Transportation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | 511.alaska.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock truck or SUV with high-clearance 2WD handle the Taylor Highway?
Yes — high-clearance 2WD is the stated minimum and will get you through under normal dry conditions. 4WD becomes necessary if you hit rain, which turns the gravel surface greasy and unpredictable fast, so don't roll up in a stock Tacoma on highway tires without checking the weather first.
When does the Taylor Highway open and close each year?
Typically opens in May and closes in October, but the Alaska DOT controls the exact dates based on conditions and shuts it down without much warning when snow or ice makes it impassable. Check 511.alaska.gov before you leave Tok — this road can close mid-season too.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp on the Taylor Highway?
No permit required to drive the highway. Dispersed camping is allowed along the route with no fees or reservations — pull off, set up, done. Standard Alaska land-use rules apply; leave the site cleaner than you found it.
What's the hardest section of the Taylor Highway and what makes it tough?
The stretch north of Chicken toward Eagle is the roughest — loose gravel, washboards, narrow shelf road sections with steep drop-offs, and minimal guardrails. It's not technically gnarly, but it's relentlessly remote: if you break down past Chicken, you're a long way from help with zero cell service.
How far is it between fuel stops on the Taylor Highway, and can I make it on one tank?
Tok is your last reliable fuel before heading north, and Chicken (mile ~66) has fuel but at frontier prices and limited hours — don't count on it being open. From Tok to Eagle is roughly 161 miles; carry a fuel can if your rig gets less than 250 miles per tank to avoid a very bad day.
Trail track
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