Seward Highway

What should you know before visiting Seward Highway?

No toll roads expected for a car.

• The first 50 miles run between the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm. Beluga whales, Dall sheep and eagles can be seen, so use pullouts instead of stopping on the road.
• Stops include Girdwood, the Johnson Pass Trail, the Hope side trip of 18 miles, Summit Lake, Moose Pass and Exit Glacier near Seward.
• Moose and other wildlife can appear on the road. Check the Alaska 511 service for current conditions before you set out, especially outside summer.

The drive

The route runs between Seward and the Anchorage area; the Potter Marsh viewpoint just south of the city is among the first stops. After the Turnagain Arm section it climbs through mountains with broad views. The ground here dropped in the 1964 earthquake, and hundreds of spruce died in salt water. Girdwood is close to Crow Creek Mine, where visitors pan for gold, and Seward has the Alaska SeaLife Center and the Exit Glacier road.

Planning

Alaska DOT&PF runs the Alaska 511 service for road conditions. Summer traffic from Anchorage can be heavy, especially on weekends, so start early and allow time for pullouts. Fuel is listed in Anchorage, Girdwood and Seward, and little in between, so fill up in Girdwood. Chugach National Forest campgrounds such as Ptarmigan Creek take reservations, and some sites are first come, first served. For camping outside campgrounds, ask the Chugach National Forest, Chugach State Park and the City of Seward.

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