Ice road

‘Live PD’ is the only true reality show.....

 

That was probably a Landstar load with a rate that low. I have made over 20k out of Washington to Alaska. Look at Lynden and all their subsidaries for going to Alaska. Carlysle and Fairchild are two more carriers that run up there. In Alaska you can run the haul road, but the through ice roads are in Canada. Running to Alaska in the winter you can spend a thousand miles on ice bladed roads without leaving the roads.

 

https://cdllife.com/2019/ice-road-truckers-looking-for-women-truckers-to-star-in-new-season/

 

Since some of you have been asking, I'm going to give you a novella post on Alaska loads and what to expect. I've done four since 2015.

REVENUE

Loads originating from the west coast usually have a $10-15k linehaul, I will not pull them for less than $12. Why? Three things:

- Rough road, expect to put some hard wear/tear on your suspension and alignment unless it's winter.

- Yukon and Alaska do not participate in IFTA, so you are required by law to purchase temp 30-day fuel permits at the first weigh stations you come across at both, totalling at about $500.

- no backhauls in that area, the closest you *might* get a backhaul is 1500mi back down in Edmonton AB. I consider it a turn & burn.

EFFICIENT ROUTING

When loaded and no matter where you originate, you need to make your way to Dawson Creek BC, which is the beginning of the Alaska Highway (BC-97, YT-1, AK-2). From there, you take it all the way to Tok, AK and split from there depending on if you're going toward Fairbanks or Anchorage.

- If you're coming from the west coast, Google and some GPSs will try to have you go west on TCH-16 at Prince George BC and then up BC-37 to connect up to the Alcan in Yukon. This is called the Cassiar Highway and is 180mi shorter than going through Dawson Creek. Word of advice: do not run this way if you are loaded, as it is significantly more desolate with fuel stops and is way more twisty-turny through the mountains. Think West Virginia on crack for 450mi.

- It's a bit of a slow ride since your max speed limit heading there is 100kmh, but there aren't a whole lot of cops, so it almost doesn't matter. Bear that in mind if you get into a wreck, it may be a long time before someone gets to you, though.

- As mentioned before, it's a rough ride. There are spots on the highway where the road just goes to gravel for miles and the occasional bumpy crossing from permafrost/winter damage. These are almost always signed, slow down for them.

FUEL/LEGAL

From Dawson Creek on, fuel stops are old school. Flying J and Petro-Pass cardlocks, no DEF at the pump (pack some jugs from down south), one long hose for both tanks, etc. Some up to 300mi apart. Fuel up every opportunity you can. I have 100-gal tanks and my usual fill-up routine for Tacoma-Kenai is:

- Flying J Hope BC (top-off DEF and buy some jugs)

- Pilot Prince George BC

- Flying J Cardlock Dawson Creek BC

- Petro-Pass Fort Nelson BC

- Petro-Pass Watson Lake YT

- Petro-Pass Whitehorse YT

- Chevron Glenallen AK

- Chevron Soldotna AK

Bear in mind that EFS card and checks are worthless in Alaska itself, you will need cash or credit for fuel and repairs once you get that far in.

- As mentioned before, Yukon (~$130) and Alaska (~$360) require you to buy temp fuel permits at the first open scalehouses in each province/state. After that, all scalehouses that are open will stop you by their windows and have you hold up the permit so they can see, so have it handy.

- Despite the exorbitant fuel permit costs, Alaska DOT is actually pretty laid-back and nice, they make strict states like Cali/Virginia look like a joke. Alaska also has different HOS regulations (you can drive 15hrs within a 20hr period instead of 11/14), but PeopleNet doesn't have Alaska HOS programmed and QC will ##### at you for running past lower 48 hours, so plan accordingly.

- When passing through Canada and back into Alaska/vice versa at the borders, you don't need PARS/PAPS/ACE barcodes - rather, you will need to submit and keep a copy of transit manifests - these are available at the border crossings.

PARKING/AMENITIES/COUNTRY

Past Grande Prairie AB / Prince George BC, contemporary truckstops aren't really a thing with a couple of exceptions. You can park in the towns at the cardlocks or find a quiet pulloff (lots of those) along the highway. Showers are hard to come by, so pack a camp shower if you're the kind of person that needs one every night.

- Between Whitehorse and Haines Junction YT is a truck stop called Otter Falls Cutoff: make it a point to stop there if you can. $5 Canadian showers, good food, and north-facing parking so you can see the aurora at night if it's in season.

- Pack food and medicine, since you might run out of hours before reaching a town that has those.

- Be ready to stop for herds of buffalo/elk/bison to cross the road, that is common along the whole route.

- We normally never run outside of the warm months, but if you really want to challenge yourself on, say, a November load, be ready. Don't even try cold Alaska runs if you can't or don't chain, since you can't just wait out snowstorms up there, and it's a very slow ride since you won't see the pavement. On the bright side, it's a smoother ride since the snow covers up all the bumpy spots.

I recommend trying at least one Alaska load since the route passes through the most beautiful parts of the entirety of North America, but don't think it's a simple trip.

 

The first two really can't be stressed enough, especially in the winter months. It's all fun-and-games while everything goes according to plan, but when it goes pear-shaped (and do enough trips and it WILL) you can find yourself in trouble fast. Being self-reliant, resilient and thinking through your actions so you don't do something stupid like lock yourself out of your truck, or get pinned somewhere, etc., are really important. And "a long time before someone gets to you" can be days, depending on the time of year, route and weather.

As to the third line, there's three things you never pass up:

1. A chance to get fuel.
2. A chance to get food.
3. A bathroom break if you're over 50.