Taking the Road less traveled: tourists, commercial drivers share space on the Dalton Highway.

• Author: Orr, Vanessa

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Many adventurous travelers dream of visiting the Last Frontier and exploring its cities, villages and out-of-the-way places. But for the truly hardcore tourist, there's nothing like the thrill of driving the James B. Dalton Highway, also known as the North Slope Haul Road, to the very northern reaches of the state. Once the environ of commercial big rigs carrying freight and equipment to the oilfields of Prudhoe Bay, the highway has steadily become a destination for those looking for something well beyond the beaten path.

Open only to commercial traffic until 1981, the 414-mile span begins 84 miles north of Fairbanks and ends in Deadhorse, the industrial camp at Prudhoe Bay. Built by Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. for $150 million to supply oil facilities on the North Slope, the road now provides travelers with the opportunity to visit one of Alaska's most remote, unpopulated areas while sharpening their defensive driving skills.

"A lot of the road is still gravel, and the services are few and far between, but it's still a really unique place to visit," explained Interpretive Ranger Heidi Schoppenhorst, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. "This area is probably the last true wilderness that the U.S. has; you don't have to go far off the road to be in the middle of nowhere."

"The weather and road conditions are probably the biggest concerns that drivers on the Dalton Highway face," added Fairbanks Terminal Manager Lane Keator of Carlile Transportation Systems. "And because it's still a dirt highway, it takes a toll on the equipment as well."

DRIVING THE DALTON

To put it mildly, driving the Dalton Highway is not your normal road trip. While there is more paved road than there used to be, it still makes for a rocky ride. In fact, many car rental services don't allow their vehicles to be driven on the road because of the damage the cars incur. If you're going to drive the Dalton, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) suggests bringing at least two full-sized spare tires mounted on rims, a tire jack and tools for flat tires, emergency flares, extra gasoline, motor oil and wiper fluid, and a CB radio. Drivers should also purchase groceries, supplies and especially insect repellent before leaving the Golden Heart City.

"Probably the biggest mistake that people make is not being prepared," said Schoppenhorst. "There aren't many stores up here, so you have to pick up supplies in Fairbanks before heading out. People...