Dalton Highway, Hard 4x4 trail in Fairbanks to Deadhorse, AK
    Hard
    Overlanding
    4.9

    Dalton Highway

    Fairbanks to Deadhorse, AKNorthwest

    Dalton Highway is a hard 414 miles off-road trail near Fairbanks to Deadhorse, AK. It requires a properly built 4x4 with All-terrain tires (new), Full-size spare (two), Tire repair kit and is best run June - September. Stock trucks and Jeeps are not recommended; plan on the required modifications before attempting it.

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    The Dalton Highway is North America's ultimate bucket-list road, 414 miles of gravel, mud, and adventure stretching from central Alaska to the Arctic Ocean at Deadhorse. The route parallels the Trans-Alaska Pipeline across some of the most remote and pristine wilderness on Earth. You'll cross the mighty Yukon River, mark your crossing of the Arctic Circle, summit Atigun Pass through the Brooks Range, and finally reach the shores of the Arctic Ocean. This is not just a drive but an expedition requiring serious preparation, self-sufficiency, and respect for conditions that can change from summer sun to blizzard in hours.

    Fun Facts

    #1

    The Dalton Highway was built in 5 months in 1974 to support construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

    #2

    The road is named after James Dalton, an arctic engineer who worked on the pipeline.

    #3

    Trucks on the Dalton can weigh up to 80 tons and require a special driving permit.

    #4

    The highway crosses the Yukon River, Arctic Circle, Brooks Range, and ends at the Arctic Ocean.

    Length
    414 miles
    Elevation
    500 - 4,739 ft
    Best Season
    June - September
    Permit
    Not Required
    Arctic CircleArctic OceanTrue wildernessBucket listPipeline

    🛞 Tires

    required
    All-terrain tires (new)
    Sharp rocks destroy old tires

    🔧 Suspension

    optional
    Stock or heavy-duty

    ⚙️ Drivetrain

    recommended
    4WD

    🪢 Recovery

    required
    Full-size spare (two)
    Flats are common
    required
    Tire repair kit

    🛡️ Protection

    recommended
    Windshield protection
    Chip-resistant film or replacement budget

    📦 Other

    required
    Satellite communicator
    No cell service for 400+ miles
    required
    Extra fuel (20+ gallons)
    required
    Cold weather survival gear
    1
    Mile 0 - Elliott Highway Junction
    65.4612, -148.7234
    2
    Yukon River Crossing
    65.8912, -149.7256
    3
    Arctic Circle
    66.5634, -150.8123
    4
    Coldfoot
    67.2523, -150.1756
    5
    Atigun Pass
    68.1378, -149.4823
    6
    Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay
    70.2014, -148.4575

    Closest campgrounds to Dalton Highway:

    Where to Camp

    GPS Coordinates

    67.2145, -150.1123

    Import into Gaia GPS, OnX Offroad, or Garmin

    Map of Fairbanks to Deadhorse, AK

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