Seward Highway
Visitor Services
The Seward Highway is a heavily visited recreation and tourism destination. As such, significant user facilities already exist or are planned throughout the corridor. Year-round traveler services...[more]
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Fees Some attractions may charge fees. |
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Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities The byway is a well-surfaced, well-maintained highway with wide shoulders in many locations. Passenger vehicles are easily... [more] |
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Camping Camping facilities throughout the corridor consist of: Chugach State Park: 3 campgrounds, 134 sites US Forest Service: 13... [more] |
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Food There are places to buy food along this byway. |
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Gasoline Gasoline is available. |
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Information The Seward Highway Travel Guidebook can be picked up for free at any one of the APLICs (Alaska Public Lands Info Centers). The contact... [more] |
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Lodging Lodging facilities throughout the corridor consist of:
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Phone Public phones are available along this byway. |
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Restrooms There are toilet facilities along this byway. |
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Retail There are places to shop along this byway. |
NOTE: The America's Byways® website is federally funded and cannot promote commercial businesses. This data may not be complete or up to date. The National Scenic Byways Program is not responsible for the quality of your travel experience. See the right column on the Byway Overview page for local contact information.
Special Considerations
The only significant seasonal problem facing the Seward Highway is adverse winter conditions. The road is closed by avalanches an average of 5 times a year for approximately 4 hours.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has made a serious and effective commitment to keeping the Seward Highway passable during the winter months, as it is the principal highway serving the Kenai Peninsula. The highway, shoulders, and many of the pullouts are plowed throughout the winter months.
An electronic message sign at Porter Marsh at the northern end of the route advises travelers of conditions ahead. Avalanche gates have been installed in all potential avalanche areas. Additionally, current and planned reconstruction of segments of the Highway are attempting to relocate the Seward highway out of avalanche zones.
Restrictions
Due to extreme conditions during the winter, the road is closed by avalanches an average of 5 times a year for approximately 4 hours.
As of mid-October 2006, there has been a standing water warning due to intense flooding.
Seasons
- Best Time to Drive
Year round.
- High Season
From May to mid-October, the byway is alive with visitors for obvious reasons. Salmon fishing is at its peak during these months and visitors will see whales along the shore and sheep on the mountainsides. Take a hike among the wildflowers.
- Off Season
The off season consists of winter and spring. Winter may present driving challenges, but provides breathtaking vistas. Avalanches may cause the road to be closed for short periods of time throughout the winter.
Road Conditions
- To find up to date information about the road conditions along Seward Highway, please visit the FHWA listing of web sites for more information.
- Alaska
