Dalton Highway (Haul Road)
America's ultimate Arctic highway challenge
The Dalton Highway isn’t just a road — it’s a 414-mile gauntlet through some of the most unforgiving wilderness on the continent. Built to service the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, this gravel artery punches north from Fairbanks through the Brooks Range, across the Arctic Circle, and ends at Deadhorse on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. You’ll cross the Yukon River at Mile 56 and thread the needle through Atigun Pass at 4,739 feet, the highest point on Alaska’s road system.
This is no Sunday drive. The washboard surface will rattle your teeth loose, and semi-trucks rule these narrow lanes at highway speeds. Plan for tire damage — carry at least two spares and a plug kit. Fuel stops are scarce: Yukon River Camp at Mile 56, Coldfoot at Mile 175, and Deadhorse at Mile 414. Summer brings 24-hour daylight and mosquitoes thick enough to drive you insane. Winter means -40°F and ice fog. Do this run and you’ll have earned serious bragging rights around any campfire.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Arctic, Historic, Pipeline, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 414 mi / 666.4 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4739 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance vehicle |
| Nearest town | Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Land manager | Alaska Department of Transportation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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
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