If you love to drive, you will love the Elliott Highway
Elliott Highway is a very scenic drive in the U.S. state of Alaska. It’s 152 miles (245 km) long. The road, which includes both paved and gravel stretches, connects the community of Fox and Manley Hot Springs.
The road, part of Alaska Route 2, was completed in 1959. The highway is paved and in generally good condition year-round between Fairbanks and the junction with the Dalton Highway, but reverts to an unpaved road for the final 80 miles (130 km) to Manley Hot Springs. The department doesn’t maintain this roadway and others during the winter and discourages travelers from risking trips as it’s “extremely dangerous”. The last part of the road, particularly in winter, can be very challenging to navigate due to overflow of ice and water on the road, high-wind areas, and drifting snow. There is no cellular telephone service available. Traffic, particularly past the Dalton Highway cutoff, can be extremely sparse.
Travelers are advised to check road conditions before traveling this road. Travelers should always carry emergency supplies and fuel enough for 400 miles (640 km) when driving this highway. The weather on this zone is harsh and highly unpredictable and it does not take much time for the bright sun shine to change over to moderate to heavy snow fall. It’s a good option for travelers interested in remote adventure and hot springs. If driving a rental car, check with the company before heading out. Many make customers sign agreements not to drive on gravel roads.