Planning Our 15,000+ Mile Alaska Road Trip With a Dog: What We’ve Learned So Far
Hey friends! It’s KD from KD’s Korner Travel Time, and today I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the biggest adventures we’ve ever planned — a 15,000+ mile road trip to Alaska in our 2000 Chevy Express campervan… with our dog, Maggie… across two countries… for four months.
It’s been exciting, overwhelming, hilarious, stressful, and honestly one of the most educational travel experiences we’ve ever had — and we haven’t even left yet.
If you’re planning a big road trip, traveling with a dog, or dreaming of driving to Alaska one day, this post will give you a real look at what goes into planning a trip of this scale.
Watch the full video on this trip planning.
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Why We’re Driving to Alaska
My husband Joe and I have a long‑term dream of traveling full‑time one day. We can’t do that until our sweet dog Maggie is gone, so in the meantime, we built out a campervan so she could join us on our adventures.
We visited Alaska on a cruise a few years ago and instantly knew we wanted to return — but this time, on our own terms, with more time and more freedom. Driving to Alaska has always been “the big one.” The trip you don’t just wake up and do. It takes planning, money, timing, and courage.
And now that we’re less than two months away, the emotions are real.
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Traveling With a Dog: The Biggest Curveball
Maggie is about 45–50 lbs, super chill, and very go‑with‑the‑flow — but traveling with a dog on a trip this long is next‑level.
Border Requirements
Both the U.S. and Canada have strict rules:
– A specific CDC rabies form
– Microchip requirements
– Vaccine documentation
– Dog food rules (must be in the original bag — still researching if it must be unopened)
I’ve emailed our vet, researched the forms, and I’m still sorting out the microchip details.
Dog‑Friendly Travel Limitations
National parks are not dog‑friendly beyond parking lots, so we had to:
– Reroute parts of our trip
– Swap some campervan nights for hotels or short‑term rentals
– Plan boarding for long excursions
Weather & Safety
Leaving a dog in a van is not an option in summer heat, so we’re planning:
– Driving days around temperature
– Shaded stops
– Campgrounds with electricity
– Emergency vet locations along the entire route
Why I Plan So Much
People love to tease me for being a “serial planner,” but here’s the truth:
I don’t like wasting time on the trip trying to figure out what to do.
I’m totally flexible if something better comes along — I love local recommendations — but I want a plan if that doesn’t happen.
And with Maggie, “go with the flow” can be unsafe.
Planning gives us freedom, not restriction.
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Route Planning: ALCAN vs Cassiar
We debated both major routes:
– Cassiar Highway — more scenic, more remote
– Alaska Highway (ALCAN) — more reliable, more services
We chose a hybrid:
– ALCAN into Alaska
– Cassiar on the way back
Gas stations can be 100–150 miles apart, so we mapped every stop and bought the latest Milepost guidebook. Cell service is spotty, so having offline info is essential.
We also invested in a Starlink Mini so I can work on the road and we can navigate safely in dead zones.
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Road Conditions, Timing & Van Fatigue
As a Florida girl, I had never heard of frost heaves — but now I’m practically an expert. These can damage your vehicle and slow your pace dramatically.
We’re also planning around:
– Peak crowds
– Snow windows
– Long driving days
– “Van fatigue”
Google Maps is not accurate for campervans, so we built in buffer days.
We’ll also be visiting:
– Glacier
– Banff
– Yellowstone
– Grand Tetons
– And yes… Niagara Falls in October (I know, wild)
We’re preparing for all the weather.
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Budgeting for a Trip This Big
As a money coach, budgeting is my jam — but we also follow Ramit Sethi’s “Rich Life” philosophy. We spend intentionally on what matters and save where we can.
Our biggest expenses:
– Gas (Canada is pricey!)
– Food (meal planning helps a ton)
– Lodging (hotels, RV parks, rentals, campgrounds)
– Experiences (we’re not skipping the once‑in‑a‑lifetime stuff)
– Random fees (ferries, border fees, showers)
We tried to find house sits through TrustedHouseSitters, but the dates didn’t line up. Still hopeful for future opportunities!
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Gear We’re Bringing
We’ve upgraded or added:
– A better dog bed + fan
– Bear spray
– Restocked first aid kit
– Emergency kit
– Fire blankets
– E‑bikes instead of mountain bikes
– Starlink Mini
– Cold‑weather gear
Space is tight, so we’re being strategic — and yes, I will probably overpack.
If you’ve done this trip, tell me what gear you think we’re missing!
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Final Thoughts
We’re still in the planning phase, but this trip already feels like a once‑in‑a‑lifetime adventure. If you’ve done this route — or traveled internationally with a dog — I’d love your tips.
And if you want to follow our journey, stick around. We’ll be sharing the good, the bad, and the “why is this happening?” moments all summer long.
Thanks for being here — and welcome to the adventure.
Follow along on our journey by subscribing to our YouTube Channel!
