Question for Western Canadians

mrsgreenjeens

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I find myself in the position of needing to drive from Alaska to Phoenix, AZ starting on October 16th of this year.  So my questions is, do you think it's better to try to drive thru British Columbia, or Alberta?  Apparently it's longer going thru BC, but higher up in the Rockies going thru Alberta?  Google isn't too much help, at least not under anything I have thought to search under.

Have no idea what the weather is normally like in mid October in either of those provinces, how good the roads are, how high the mountains are, how good the cell phone service is (in case we have an emergency), how far and few the gas stations are...same with motels, etc.  (Plus, we will have a dog with us, so need pet friendly motels)

We will be driving a 4-wheel drive pick-up with ABS brakes, if that makes any difference, with brand new all season radial tires. 

So...am hoping some of you familiar with those areas will be able to help me out.

Opinions PLEASE?

Thanks!
 

catlover19

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I'm not from either of those provinces, but The Weather Network has some useful information. For weather, you can look at the historical weather to see what it was like those days in previous years. BC is warmer than Alberta. My cousin lives in Calgary and they are already having snow.

Here is some information on Alberta http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php?product=travellers&pagecontent=CAAB0049  and on BC http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php?product=travellers&pagecontent=CABC0308

To look for things like gas stations, motels etc you can use www.canada411.ca. You can type motel into the business search and the city and it will show you a map of where they all are. 

Hope I helped at least a bit. 
 

pushylady

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I'm sorry I don't have any advice, but I can say that the drive will be spectacular. We drove through the Rockies there about 10 years ago in early Spring and it was beautiful. The roads were great too - especially after coming from New Zealand where the mountain roads tend to be a bit hairier!
I hope you have enough time to enjoy the journey rather than having to rush. And I'm sure you'll find a lot of places where you're allowed pets. That seems to be much more common these days.
 

gemlady

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Do they still have ferries from there? My Dad's dream trip was to drive to Alaska through Canada then take a ferry back to Washington, and drive home.

I am wondering if you could do this with the dogs. .. :think:
- - - -- - - -

Just Googled and, yes, they still have ferries and pets are allowed. http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/
 
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mrsgreenjeens

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They even have a ferry that goes from close to Achorage all the way across the ocean down to Bellingham, WA.  Problem is, it's more expensive than a cruise, and the dogs have to ride in a cage on deck, which will be VERY COLD this time of year!!!!!
  For your vehicle, you basically pay by the foot, and my sister has an extended cab pick up, so it would be around $1500 just for that.  PLUS, the next ferry (that I could tell) doesn't leave until Nov 14th.  I finally figured out that wasn't for us, so didn't call for more info.
 

gemlady

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Darn, sorry the ferry idea didn't work for you. I'll send some good driving weather vibes, okay?
 
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