Seward Highway is an awe-inspiring route in Alaska
Seward Highway is a very scenic drive located in the U.S. state of Alaska. The drive is full of amazing scenery. Every direction is georgeous and interesting.
How long is the drive from Anchorage to Seward?
The highway is 127 miles (204 kilometers) long and connects the cities of Anchorage and Seward. The road is totally paved. It is the only way to get between the two locations. The road is numbered Alaska Route 9 (AK-9) for the first 37 miles from Seward and AK-1 for the remaining distance to Anchorage. The road tops out at 300m (984ft) above the sea level, by Turnagain Pass.
How long does it take to drive the Seward Highway?
The road's winding design, providing stunning panoramic views, is very curvy and fun for a leisurely ride, so it pays to take it slow. It takes about five hours to make the drive, but many people will spread the trip out over a few days in order to explore the area in depth. You'll see fishing villages, mining towns and national forests. You can even stop off at a place called Crow Creek Mine to pan for gold. The highway ascends 1,000 feet (304 meters) into the mountains and back down to sea level within an hour. The rest of the drive winds up, down and around the wilds of Alaska. Starting in Anchorage, the route meanders generally south from sea to mountains to sea across the Kenai Peninsula, ending in the harbor town of Seward on Resurrection Bay. It was completed in 1951 and runs through the scenic Kenai Peninsula, Chugach National Forest, Turnagain Arm, and Kenai Mountains.
How dangerous is the Seward Highway?
It’s said to be one of the most dangerous roads in Alaska based on the number of auto accidents. The most dangerous section is from Anchorage to the Portage Glacier Exit. This road is usually open all year, but it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. Seward Highway holds a triple designation in the United States: USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway and All-American Road. The highway begins at the base of the Chugach Mountains and the shore of Turnagain Arm. In addition to gorgeous waterfalls and glaciers, tourists might see sheep, eagles, moose and even beluga whales. The most popular time to visit Alaska is during the summer, when the most sunlight is available.