Portage Glacier Road is one of the best drives in Alaska
Portage Glacier Road, nestled in the U.S. state of Alaska south of Anchorage, ranks among the most scenic drives the state has to offer. This 11.59-mile (18.65 km) route connects the Seward Highway near the ghost town of Portage with the town of Whittier, treating travelers to stunning vistas along the way. Completed in 2000, this paved highway is an impressive feat of engineering, featuring a series of roads, bridges, and the iconic Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel.
Where is Portage Glacier Road?
The road, also known as Portage Glacier Highway, is located south of Anchorage, in the southern part of Alaska.
How long is Portage Glacier Road?
The road is 11.59 mi (18.65 km) long. It runs west–east from Portage (a ghost town destroyed in the 1964 Alaska earthquake, on the Seward Highway) to the town of Whittier.
When was Portage Glacier Road built?
This paved road was completed on June 7, 2000. It’s made up of a series of roads, bridges, and tunnels.
What’s the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel?
The most iconic part of the drive is the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a one-lane 2.5 miles long tunnel that must be shared by cars and trains traveling in both directions, passing under Maynard Mountain. It's also known as Whittier Tunnel. Built in 1943 as a railroad tunnel, it is generally open for highway traffic, but is closed periodically in order to allow trains to pass through the mountain.