Driving from Anchorage to Seward offers you one of the most scenic road trips in the whole of North America. Passing by mountains, lakes, forests, and waterfalls, you’ll be awed by the sheer natural beauty of this journey.
At Incredible Adventures, we’re well-acquainted with this route as part of our Tours from Anchorage. With plenty of gorgeous stops along the way, you’ll want to be prepared for your road tip and make the most of all to see and do here.
We’ve created this guide to driving from Anchorage to Seward, including points of interest as well as travel and safety tips. If you have any questions about our tours in the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Anchorage to Seward Route
The route from Anchorage to Seward is 127 miles long, taking approximately 2.5 hours to drive without stopping. However, you’re going to want to take your time along this route to stop at the various view points and enjoy the scenery. There are also accommodation options alongside the highway should you wish to take it slow and break up your journey to do some more exploring.
Departing from Anchorage, you’ll join the Seward Highway and follow Alaska Route 1 for about 80 miles. Then, you’ll continue on Alaska Route 9 for the remaining stretch and arrive in Seward.
There are few gas stations on the route, so make sure you fill up in Anchorage before you leave. The last gas station alongside the highway is in Girdwood, about 90 miles from Seward. Alternatively, you can detour from the route onto the Sterling Highway to reach another gas station, but this will add to your travel time.
What to See and Do from Anchorage to Seward
The Seward Highway presents countless opportunities for additional exploration, from scenic view points to short hikes. Read below for our suggestions, and while you’re here, check out our Alaska Travel Bucket List!
McHugh Creek
One of the first stops outside of Anchorage is McHugh Creek. Just a short walk from the parking area is a stunning waterfall, and you can continue hiking the trail for jaunt through nature. This also makes an idyllic picnic spot.
Beluga Point
Overlooking Turnagain Arm, Beluga Point is so named for the opportunity to spot whales here. Not only is this view point breathtakingly beautiful, you’ll likely see beluga whales swimming in the waters between July and September. You might also catch a bore tide, which reaches up to six feet high!
Girdwood
The resort town of Girdwood is considered one of the most beautiful in Alaska and has plenty of activities on offer. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, there are a number of excellent restaurants to choose from. To see more of the area, you can take the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska for views from a height of 2,300 feet! Girdwood is also a place to connect with Alaskan history, as you can go panning for gold at Crow Creek Gold Mine.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Home to wolves, reindeer, bison, bears, and more, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center provides over 200 acres of land to rescued wildlife. When you visit here, you’ll see these animals living as they would naturally, giving you a guaranteed sighting of Alaska’s wildlife. You can join a guided tour to learn more or even sign up to a moose encounter and feed them by hand!
Portage and Byron Glacier
A worthy diversion from Seward Highway is to see the Portage Glacier and Byron Glacier. Both can be easily accessed by the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, with the Byron trailhead just 100 metres away. You can take an easy stroll to Byron Glacier and admire its beauty, while those looking for a close-up experience can take a short boat tour to Portage Glacier.
Kenai Lake
As you come into Seward, you’ll pass Kenai Lake where you’ll definitely want to stop for some photos. Admire the turquoise color of the glacier fed waters, flowing beneath snow capped peaks. This is Alaska embodied!
Tips for Driving the Seward Highway Safely
While the Seward Highway is known for its beauty, it’s also gained a reputation for being dangerous to drive on. There are a number of risks to take into account here, including wildlife, natural disasters like rockfalls, and winter road conditions. Check our our tips below for a safe drive:
- Moose, bears, and other wildlife frequently cross the road, especially in the mornings and evenings. Slow down in areas with wildlife crossing signs and stay alert.
- There is only one lane each way, so be careful of overtaking vehicles. There are usually many trucks and RVs on this route who may slow down the traffic, but be patient.
- The Seward Highway has winding roads, steep grades, and occasional rockfall areas. Keep to the speed limit and be cautious.
- Do not unexpectedly stop or pull over for a photo snap except in designated areas.
- Some sections of the highway have limited or no cell service, so download maps ahead of time.
- In the winter, roads can be icy or snowy, so check if your vehicle has all-season or studded tires and drive carefully.
Discover Alaska with an Incredible Adventures Tour!
If you don’t want to do the drive yourself, then join Incredible Adventures on a tour of Alaska! We’ll take care of the driving and navigation so you can focus on the scenery. For a fully immersive experience, check out our 6-Day Alaskan Highlights Tour, which takes you from Denali to Kenai Fjords and will cross the Seward Highway!
Only have a day? You can still take your explorations to the next level with our Matanuska Glacier Summer Tour, or experience one of Alaska’s most phenomenal attractions with our Anchorage Northern Light Tour.
If you have any questions about our tours, don’t hesitate to contact us!
