Winter Driving Tips

Driving in an Alaskan winter is no joke. When you are getting ready to head out on an adventure outside of Eielson Airforce Base and Fort Wainwright, preparing and getting ready for your drives is crucial. The solitude makes preparation for every trip a requirement. Whether it’s preparing an emergency kit or getting your vehicle ready with a new set of tires, the team at Chevrolet Buick GMC Of Fairbanks covers how to drive in winter in Alaska and created a guide to driving in Alaskan winters.

Guide to Driving in Alaskan Winters

When you are getting ready for your next trip outside of North Pole, you should start by checking with the national weather service for weather warnings, advisories and more. If there are extreme weather conditions, maybe wait it out.

Before you leave, make sure your vehicle is prepped by being winterized. You should also have your vehicle checked over for things like proper tire pressure, defroster & heater, battery & lights, motor oil, antifreeze, belts, hoses, filters, brakes, brake fluid, wiper blades and windshield washer fluid. You should also carry additional provisions in case you do end up stuck for a while.

Winter Driving Tips: How to Drive in Winter in Alaska

Once you have your vehicle prepped, your emergency kit created, and your extra supplies loaded up, you’ll want to proceed carefully on Delta Junction roads. The major highways like Denali Highway, Denali Park Highway, Taylor Highway, Top-of-the World Highway, McCarthy Road and the Nome area have limited or no maintenance. As you drive, consider:

• Reduce your speed, and drive securely depending on the weather and road conditions.
• Give plenty of room to those vehicles removing snow.
• Stay alert and keep an eye out for wildlife. Moose, caribou and more may be crossing the roads, so proceed with caution.
• Maintain room between vehicles just in case of quick stops.
• September 15th through May 1st, drivers may use studded tires.
• If you are driving slow, keep to the right and keep space.

Guide to Driving in Alaskan Winters: Car Emergency Kit

When you are headed out on a day in the Alaskan winter, you’ll be dealing with a whole different breed of weather and roads. In addition to the supplies that we mention in the summer kit, we suggest a few additional tools for your Alaska winter car emergency kit:

• Food/water
• First Aid Kit
• Duct Tape
• Basic Tools
• Stove/Fuel
• A Satellite Phone
• Paracord, Fire starter, and Mirror Signalers
• Extra layers and blankets
• A shovel and tow strap
• Full size spare tires and tire chains.

Explore More Winter Driving Tips with Chevrolet Buick GMC Of Fairbanks!

When you are headed out of town for your next adventure, visit Fairbanks beforehand to get ready for your next adventure. Our team at Chevrolet Buick GMC Of Fairbanks is happy to help you prep your vehicle by checking all of your fluids and mechanisms. You can also chat with our tire center about upgrading to a new set of tires for the winter season.