The World-Famous Alaska Highway

A Guide to the ALCAN and Other Wilderness Roads of the North, 4th edition

Text and photos by Tricia Brown

Fulcrum Publishing, March 2011

288 pages, paperback, 6 x .8 x 9

ISBN-10: 1555917496

ISBN-13: 978-1555917494

Calling something “World Famous” doesn’t make it world famous, but the Alaska Highway actually is known around the world. Mention the name or its familiar nickname, The Alcan, and somebody in the crowd has driven it or has always wanted to “do” the highway. And why not? This amazing road through the northern reaches of Canada and into Alaska has cast a spell on the motoring public for more than sixty years, ever since it was hurriedly built in 1942. After World War II, with the opening of the road to civilians, Alaska was finally a drive-to destination, and the stream of tourists has not stopped.

Tricia Brown has hit the road once more to scout out the trip for you and offers friendly advice on how to make the most of your drive to and around Alaska. In this newly updated edition, she has included tips on preparing for the long drive, mileage charts, history, attractions, tour operators, where to rest, and where to stop for the biggest and best hyperbole the Northland has to offer, such as: World’s largest gold pan, Chainsaw carving capital of the world, Westernmost town on North America’s highway system, World-famous forest of signs, North America’s tallest peak, World-famous cinnamon buns, Northernmost dead end in the United States, World’s longest cross-country racing skis.  

 Buy your copy now! Click on your favorite online bookseller to order:

Amazon             Barnes & Noble           Indiebound

Tricia and her traveling companion, Willow at the Yukon-Alaska border

Praise for The World Famous Alaska Highway:

From RV Life Magazine, August 2008: “An easy-to-read, concise summary of what awaits you in Alaska, packed into 288 pages. . . . This is the third edition of [Brown’s] book, which is loaded with practical information delivered in a straightforward way. She tells you what you should bring in an RV and what you need to leave at home, describes what you will see along the way, and offers guidance on lodging, campgrounds and restaurants.”

He’s waiting for you on the Alaska Highway

From Midwest Book Review:

The World-Famous Alaska Highway is the ideal guide for anyone traveling up and down the Alaskan Highway. This compendium of historic sites, roadside attractions, dramatic views, wildlife sighting sites, recreational resources (hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, canoeing, cruising, flying, festivals, rodeos, parades, races, museums, theme parks) will ensure the success of any excursion from day trips to full-fledged vacations. The World-Famous Alaska Highway also offers practical money-saving, comfort enhancing advice on preparing your vehicle, roadway considerations and routes, as well as up-to-date contact numbers and websites for cities throughout the region and serviced by the Alaskan Highway. If you are planning just such a journey for business or pleasure, begin with a thorough reading of Tricia Brown’s The World-Famous Alaska Highway!

From The Oregonian, Portland:

The highway is too long, too beautiful and too remote to not take preparations for the journey seriously. Tricia Brown’s new book helps the traveler get the most of the driving excursion north to the 49th state, as well as on roads that lead off the highway to some of the most remote drivable country in North America. The book offers just enough information without overwhelming, as the annual Alaska Milepost guide to the highway can. Brown supplements her essays and information listings with her own photography, appealingly displayed . . . Don’t be fooled by the pictures: The book is jammed with current information on making the journey to Alaska by highway. Don’t drive north without it.

From an Alaska Highway traveler:

Handy, practical, and refreshing describe this guide to the Alcan Highway and other roads of the North. Tricia Brown’s friendly voice and personal insights bring the adventure to life for me. Although I’ve driven the Alcan many times over the years, there’s much to see and much to learn. I plan to pack this Guide along with my gear for my next trip. — Ron Spatz, Anchorage

The first, second, and third editions (published by Fulcrum Publishing or Alaska Northwest Books) may still be found online. Just as good–only the advice on accommodations may be outdated.