How to Plan the Perfect Alaska Road Trip Using Google Maps

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Welcome to the Land of Road Trip Dreams!

If you’re flying into Anchorage, picking up your AVIS Alaska rental car, and setting off into the wild, we’ve got two words for you: Google Maps. This humble little app on your phone is a road tripper’s best friend, especially in a state like Alaska where cell service can vanish quicker than a salmon in bear country.

Let’s talk about how to use Google Maps (plus a few other app recommendations) to plan the perfect Alaska road trip — whether you’re going glacier hopping on the Kenai Peninsula, wildlife watching near Denali or taking the long haul up to Fairbanks under the Midnight Sun.

Step 1: Save All the Places You Want to Go

Before you land at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and rev up your AVIS rental, create a custom map with all your must-see stops.

How to Save a Location in Google Maps:

  1. Open Google Maps.
  2. Search for a place you want to visit — e.g., “Exit Glacier.”
  3. Tap on it and hit “Save” (you can choose a list like “Favorites,” “Want to Go,” or create your own — we like “Alaska 2025!”).
  4. Rinse and repeat for every hike, photo op, wildlife sanctuary, or bakery you hear about on TikTok.

Pro Tip: Once you’ve saved multiple places, they’ll show up as little yellow stars (or even a custom emoji!) on your map — super helpful when planning your route or choosing where to stop for lunch.

Step 2: Build a Multi-Stop Road Trip Itinerary

Google Maps lets you build routes with multiple stops, which is great for scenic Alaska detours and essential coffee stops in quirky towns.

How to Create a Route With Multiple Stops:

  1. Open Google Maps.
  2. Tap “Directions.”
  3. Enter your starting point (like “ANC Airport” or your hotel).
  4. Tap the three dots in the corner, then choose “Add stop.”
  5. Add up to 9 stops (or make multiple routes if you plan a longer journey).

Example:

Anchorage → Girdwood (lunch) → Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center → Whittier Tunnel → Portage Glacier.

You can even reorder the stops by dragging them up or down to optimize your route (less backtracking = more time for moose spotting).

Step 3: Download Offline Maps (Because Alaska)

Alaska’s natural beauty is unmatched. Cell coverage? Not so much. Once you leave Anchorage, you might find yourself navigating by moose-sighting rather than signal bars. That’s where Offline Maps come in.

How to Download an Offline Map in Google Maps:

  1. In Google Maps, tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Tap “Offline maps”> “Select your map.”
  3. Zoom in on the area you’ll explore — like the drive from Anchorage to Seward.
  4. Tap “Download.”

Each map is a few hundred megabytes, so download over Wi-Fi before you hit the road.

Pro Tip: Download multiple regions if you’re doing a big loop — say, Anchorage → Delta-Junction → Fairbanks → Denali → back to Anchorage.

Step 4: Use Google My Maps for Big Trip Planning (Optional but Awesome)

If you color-code your packing list or treat itinerary planning like an Olympic sport (no judgment—we love that for you), check out Google My Maps.

  • Create a custom map on your computer.
  • Add layers for categories like “Lodging,” “Hikes,” “Scenic Pull-offs,” and “Coffee.”
  • Share it with your travel buddies for easy planning.
  • Open the map from the Google Maps app on your phone!

This is especially helpful if you’re splitting your trip between regions (e.g., Kenai Peninsula week 1, Denali week 2) and want to organize everything visually.

Step 5: Bonus Apps to Pair with Google Maps

Here at AVIS Alaska, we’ve seen a lot of travelers over the years, and these apps get two big thumbs-up from us:

  • Alaska 511 – Live road conditions, construction alerts, and traffic cams.
  • AllTrails – Great for finding nearby hikes, reading trail reviews, and tracking your route.
  • iOverlander – A favorite of RVers and car campers for finding free camping spots, bathrooms, and more.
  • GasBuddy – Because some stretches of Alaska have gas stations that are 100+ miles apart.

Real Talk: Know Before You Go

Google Maps is magical — but even magic has limits in the Last Frontier. Keep these tips in mind:

No Gravel Roads: Most rental car agreements (including ours) don’t allow travel on gravel roads, which rules out places like the Denali Highway or McCarthy Road. If you’re unsure, ask our AVIS team before you head out!

Carry an Emergency Kit: Even if your phone is offline, you’ll want basics like water, snacks, a flashlight, and a printed map — just in case. You can grab these supplies at Anchorage’s Fred Meyer or REI before you hit the road.

Don’t Rely on Voice Navigation: Once you’re offline, you can still navigate using downloaded maps, but voice directions might not work — make sure you review your route beforehand.

So, Where to First?

Whether heading down to Seward for a whale cruise, cruising toward Denali for a hike among the giants, or doing a good ol’ Anchorage to Fairbanks road trip, Google Maps can help you do it smarter — and with fewer wrong turns.

We at AVIS Alaska are stoked to be your road trip sidekick. Our rental cars are prepped and ready to take you through some of the most stunning drives in the world. So grab your smartphone, plan your dream route, and let’s hit the road.

Your Alaska adventure starts with a tap, a map, and a set of keys. See you on the highway.

Need a rental car for your Alaska road trip?

Book your vehicle today with AVIS Alaska, available in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and more. Let the journey begin.

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