New Jersey to Alaska
 

Looking for advise on taking my 02 harley ultra to Alaska this summer, i have 30days to get to the artic circle and back. Want to leave July 1, thanks in advance

Most direct possible route = 9000 miles, more or less. You do the math.

There's no mystery about it: get a map of North America and choose a nice, direct route from the several available. Stick to interstates as much as possible before arcing north to pick up the Alcan. You'll spend a lot of time riding, some of the rest doing maintenance and repairs, and have little or no time remaining to stop, deviate or enjoy. Plus: the direct routes are often not the most scenic, and you'll be in such a hurry you'll be following the same route (basically) homeward. On the plus side, it's all paved save the last little bit, and services will all be open in July.

Nothing wrong with that, but to me it doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun. If it appeals to you, by all means have at it: you won't be the only one.

Hope that's helpful. If that's not what you're asking about, maybe post again with some specific questions.

Mark

If only there were a bit more time . . .
 

That's a good ride . . . I took nearly 50 days in '93 from Washington, DC with "interruptions" for road work (mostly in Canada), floods (the Mississippi went high then), and some great scenery on a BMW K75S.

Did it again in 2009 from San Francisco on a KTM ADV 950. The Alcan is hard to get excited about, especially the Winnebago caravans. Use the interstates in the US and then try to "save" some for Canada. Push west to avoid the prairie in Alberta, etc.

BC is lovely, the Yukon sublime. You'll find lots of recs for the Dempster over the Dalton (haul road) but it might be tricky on the HD if there's weather. That would save you some mileage and add ALOT of scenery.

Good luck !

Thanks for the insight, i have read about the Dempster, agree it can be tricky on the HD, but may have to try it, with only 30days to spare.....

I don't know if 9000 miles in 30 days is automatically a grueling deal breaker, especially if yo have a big bike and are crossing the plains. It's right around 300 miles a day, which is higher than most people on here ride but (having done a couple month long trips) isn't that bad, and there was time to stop and look at the occasional attraction on the way.

You will definitely want to rack up some high mileage days before getting to the far northwest, where big miles are harder to come by. Without knowing how mnay miles you can comfortably manage I can't give a lot more advice. On my xs1100 I would have days around 250-300 miles, allowing me to stop and see things, and travel days where I doubled that but didn't stop to look at much.

I admit I didn't ride my xs1100 to Alaska, and took my sweet time to get there. To each their own.

I'm kind of depressed now. 30 days are kinda hard to come by.

Did the trip on a 1999 Dyna Wide Glide couple years ago then last summer on a BMW F800GS from Winnipeg in three weeks both times. Hit hard across the prairies I was on secondary highways to Edmonton AB. Took day and half on the Harley.

If take I 94 across west you make great time Head north on north Dakota 52 into Canada head north from there.

From Winnipeg to Montreal can be done in three days its another day to New York. I was pushing hard then slowed down once I got to the Alaska Highway.