Avis Car Rental’s Driving Tips for Alaska Roads

Driving techniques vary from region to region, and state to state. Climate and geographical features always make a noticeable difference in the way you drive your car. If you’re braving the North to visit Alaska then there are some driving trips you’ll want to help you handle your Avis car rental. Avis Alaska Rent-A-Car has some tips to help you smoothly adjust your driving to suit the new landscape.

Which Avis car rental should you drive?

Even though winter comes pretty harshly in Alaska, it doesn’t matter what car you choose for your Avis car rental. In fact, you’ll see a wide variety of vehicles on the roads, including motorcycles. Any vehicle will do fine, as long as you know how to handle it on the road. Choose a car type that you are familiar with to make the transition easier.

Be aware of your gas tank

Service stations in Alaska are a little harder to find than those in mainland states. Stations can be as far apart as 150 miles. They’re found in towns, cities, and in smaller inhabited regions. If you pass a gas station, make sure to fill up your tank, even if it isn’t empty or even at half. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Be prepared for everything

Be prepared for the trip before you take off in your Avis car rental. Call in advance for all hotels because you don’t know if you’ll be able to find lodging while traveling.

You’ll also want to make sure you have your passport on you in case you make trips over the border into Canada. You won’t be allowed across the border without a valid passport. Remember also that firearm laws are much different in Canada, so it’s always better to leave them at home. Fireworks are also prohibited. There are strict rules on alcohol, tobacco, meat, vegetables, fruit, eggs, dairy products, and other products. If you’re just taking a day trip across the border, it’s a safer bet to buy lunch in the town you’re visiting.

What are the roads like?

Many city drivers are uneasy with gravel or dirt road driving, which can be an intimidating thought when traveling to rural areas. These days you don’t have to worry about too many gravel or unpaved roads. The last of the highway was paved in 1992.

Occasionally you will run into gravel sections. In that case, you want to make sure you don’t drive too fast as it’s easy to lose control. If you’re nervous about driving on gravel roads, stick to the main highways in your Avis car rental. Plan your route in advance to keep away from rural roads.

Alaska is always under construction once the warm weather hits. You’ll need to be aware of the cones, equipment, and workers and adjust your speed accordingly. Speeding through a construction zone will cost you big time, and could be a hazard to people’s lives.

Weather warnings

Winters are long in Alaska, so you want to make sure you’re prepared to drive in heavy snow. However, the dark winter can be easier to drive in at times, as every driver is using his or her headlights. The reflectiveness of the snow also helps visibility, and animals tend to stand out clearer on the background.

Be prepared for snow at the strangest times. You may even get hit with slight snow in the middle of summer.

Cell service isn’t always strong

Driving through Alaska has its own struggles, but one of the big ones found by modern drivers is the inconsistent cell service. As technology improves, this problem decreases, but it is still something you should be aware of. Make sure you always have a GPS, and a hard copy map of Alaska to be safe. Note where the towns and service stations are along the highways so that you can get help if necessary, and if your phone doesn’t have service.

Be aware of dead zones along the Alaska, Richardson, Parks, Glenn, Denali, Elliott, Dalton, Steese, Sterling, Tok Cutoff, and Seward Highways. Major communities and cities along these highways will have cellular reception if you need it, so you can always take a pit stop.

Don’t wait to plan your next trip in Avis car rental. Call in to make your reservations with Avis Rent A Car today.