Elliott Highway — Fox to Manley Hot Springs
Gold rush gravel to the end of the Interior road
The Elliott Highway starts at Fox, just north of Fairbanks, and runs 152 miles west to Manley Hot Springs. The first 73 miles are paved and climb through black spruce and over Wickersham Dome, where the Interior spreads out below you. Then you hit the Dalton Highway junction near Livengood, the old gold camp, and the pavement quits. The rest is gravel and dirt through boreal forest, with the Tanana River flats opening up near the end. It was cut for the gold rush traffic and the wartime need to supply interior camps, and Manley Hot Springs still feels like a place at the end of the road. The only real obstacles are washboard, soft shoulders, and the odd loose-gravel corner, plus the occasional logging truck.
It’s easy, and any careful driver in a decent high-clearance vehicle can do it in dry weather. Rain turns the gravel slick and chews up the surface, so check conditions before you go. Fuel is limited: fill up at Fox, and don’t count on anything past Livengood. Bring a full-size spare and plenty of food and water, since cell service is spotty at best. Best season is late May through September, and mosquitoes will be a feature in July. You get gold rush history, huge Interior skies, and a soak at the end if the hot springs resort is open. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 152 mi / 244.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2200 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 2WD high-clearance, 4WD preferred in wet weather |
| Nearest town | Fox, Alaska |
| Land manager | Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (Northern Region) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Alaska DOT&PF Northern Region Alaska 511 road conditions |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 2WD SUV or truck drive the Elliott Highway to Manley?
Yes. It's a maintained state highway, and a stock 2WD with decent clearance handles it in dry weather. 4WD helps on the gravel after the Dalton Highway junction when it's wet, and you should carry a full-size spare because sharp gravel eats tires.
Is the Elliott Highway open in winter?
DOT&PF keeps it open year-round, but winter means snow, ice, extreme cold, and thin traffic on the gravel stretch. May through September is the comfortable window, and you should check Alaska 511 for current conditions before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive the Elliott Highway?
No. It's a public state highway with no permit or toll. Camping rules depend on the land manager at each pullout, so check signage and the land status before you set up.
What's the roughest part of the drive?
The gravel section past the Dalton Highway junction. Expect washboard, potholes, soft shoulders, and dust, and rain can turn it greasy. It's still an easy drive, but you'll want to slow down and watch for oncoming trucks and blind crests.
How should I plan fuel and communication for the 152 miles?
Fill up in Fox or Fairbanks before you leave, since services are sparse along the route. Cell service is spotty, so download offline maps and tell someone your plan. Dispersed camping is available along the road, and you should carry enough fuel for the return trip.
Trail track
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