Anchorage to Valdez - Driving The Glenn and Richardson Highways - Vacation Rentals and Event Space in Palmer and Wasilla, Alaska

Planning a trip to Alaska can be daunting because there is so much to see. The size of the state makes it difficult to experience it all in one trip. Valdez is one of the lesser visited areas in Alaska but you might want to take a closer look at this hidden gem. We spent three days in Valdez and can’t wait to go back. This post will highlight the 5 1/2 hour drive from Anchorage to Valdez.

Read my post about what we did during our three days in Valdez

Driving from Anchorage to Valdez

Our Alaska home base is in Wasilla so that was our starting point. If you are starting in Anchorage, you’ll take the Glen Highway towards Wasilla and Palmer and continue to Glen Allen. The drive from Anchorage will take about 5 1/2 hours but be sure to plan a few extra hours for stops along the way.

For any drive through Alaska, I recommend you grab a copy of the Bear Foot Travel Guides https://bearfootguides.com/ or The Milepost https://www.themilepost.com/ . Both provide information about traveling throughout Alaska. Both of these guides will highlight stops along the way, restaurants, gas stations, rest stops, etc. The Milepost provides mile-by-mile detail. Be sure to review your trip before you leave so you don’t miss any hidden gems along the way.

Palmer Reindeer Farm

If you have time, and especially if you are traveling with children, you may want to make a detour to the Reindeer Farm in Palmer. Stop for a while to meet reindeer, yak, bison and moose. Take a horseback trail ride. The reindeer farm has been owned by the same family since the 1950s. Enjoy a visit with native Alaskans and their animals.

Matanuska Glacier

As you drive along the Glen Highway, you’ll have a great view of the Matanuska Glacier. If you are ready for a roadside picnic or bathroom break, be sure to stop at the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site at mile marker 101. You’ll find picnic tables with a view of the glacier and clean bathrooms. There is plenty of parking for RVs and camper trailers. 12 campsites are available for overnight camping.

If you have a few hours and want to walk on the glacier, turn off at mile marker 102. There is a fee and the drive to the parking area can be a bit intimidating but it is worth the trip as this is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska.

You’ll have to pay the entry fee to get up close and walk on the Matanuska Glacier.

Once you are back on the road, keep an eye out for moose, Dall sheep, eagles and falcons as you drive through the Copper Valley towards Glen Allen. Be sure to look north around mile 113 to see wild sheep on the mountain.

Glen Allen

Glen Allen is the largest town you’ll encounter along your drive from Anchorage to Valdez and it serves the many small communities surrounding it with medical services, supplies, schools, etc.

From here you can head north to Fairbanks, northeast to Tok and Canada, south to Valdez, and west to Anchorage. Be sure to fill up your gas tank here before heading towards Valdez.

There are several restaurants in Glen Allen if you want to take a break from the road. We had lunch at Ernesto’s Grill. They had great Mexican food and a relaxed atmosphere. If you are traveling with children, you’ll appreciate the large enclosed lobby where the kids can get their wiggles out.

We ate at Freeze on our return trip. This is a great stop for burgers and fries. And be sure to check out their selection of shakes and ice cream before you leave!

Here is Trip Advisor’s list of other restaurants in Glen Allen.

Richardson Highway

From Glen Allen, take the Richardson Highway to the south towards Valdez. The Richardson Highway was the first modern road in Alaska and runs from Fairbanks to Valdez. Look to the east to see the Wrangell Mountain Range. These are among the highest mountains in Alaska with 12 peaks over 13,000 feet.

The Wrangell Mountains along the drive from Anchorage to Valdez — The Wrangell Mountains rise behind Willow Lake

Also, keep an eye out for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline which parallels the Richardson Highway all the way from Fairbanks to Valdez. The pipe is visible here because it is elevated above ground, supported by heat-transfer pipes ensuring that the permafrost doesn’t melt and shift the pipe. The supports are coated in Teflon so that the pipe can move sideways during earthquakes. Read more about the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

Trans-Alaska Pipeway along the drive from Anchorage to Valdez — The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is visible along the Richardson Highway

About 45 miles south of Glennallen you’ll pass the turnoff for the Edgerton Highway. This is the turnoff for McCarthy and Kennecott Copper Mine. Definitely worth the trip – but be prepared. You’ll be driving 60 miles on a gravel road with no services so this drive is not for the faint of heart or unprepared. Read about my trip to McCarthy and Kennecott.

Worthington Glacier

Be sure to stop at Worthington Glacier (mile 29) to stretch your legs and see this roadside glacier. The rest area is large with plenty of parking and paved trails leading to the glacier. It is possible to walk closer to the glacier but do so with caution. Falling rocks and ice and crevices are common. There are plenty of places for kids to get close to the water running off the glacier.

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As you drive over Thompson Pass, stop at Blueberry Lake (mile 24) for a picnic or just to stretch your legs and take in the beautiful views.

Blueberry Lake - Drive from Anchorage to Valdez — Blueberry Lake at the summit of Thompson Pass

Once over the summit, the road descends through Keystone Canyon to sea level. An abandoned railroad tunnel and several waterfalls are highlights of the drive through the canyon. There is a hike at Bridal Veil Falls. We didn’t have time to stop but will definitely check it out next time.

Bridal Veil Falls in Keystone Canyon

As you leave Keystone Canyon, you are just a few miles from Valdez. If you are lucky enough to have a sunny day, you’ll be amazed by the views of mountains rising out of the sea and glaciers dominating the mountain tops. Even on cloudy days, like we experienced, the misty clouds add to the beauty of this Alaskan hidden gem.

Misty Mountains - Drive from Anchorage to Valdez — Mist and low clouds blanket Valdez, Alaska

Valdez, Alaska FAQs

Getting to Valdez

Fly: it’s just a 45 minute flight from Anchorage to Valdez. A great option if you are short on time. Both RavnAir and Alaska Airlines have flights to Valdez.

Ferry: Taking the Alaska State Ferry is a great option if you have more time. Catch the ferry in Whittier, just an hour from Anchorage. You’ll spend about six hours on the ferry enjoying the amazing views and wildlife spotting. Click here for more information about the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Drive: It’s a five 1/2 hour drive from Anchorage to Valdez through some of the prettiest scenery in the state.

When to Go

Summertime is the best time to explore all that Valdez has to offer including hiking, fishing, camping, kayaking, and whale and glacier cruises. Summer high temperatures range from the 50s to low 70s. Rain is always a possibility. Come at the end of July for the Annual Valdez Gold Rush Days.

Spring and Fall are great times to visit because the crowds will be less and the temperatures are still moderate. Many businesses in Valdez are seasonal so check opening and closing dates if you will be traveling in the shoulder seasons. Average high temperatures in both the spring and fall are in the 40s and 50s.

Winter is the perfect time for a visit if you are a cold weather sports enthusiastic. Valdez is the snowiest city in America, getting about 300 inches of snow a year! This snow provides great winter sports opportunities including heliskiing, snowboarding, ice climbing and snowmobiling. Be sure to call it a “snow machine” if you want to sound like an Alaskan! Winter highs are in the 20s and 30s. Visit in February for the 10-day Frosty Fever Festival.

Where to Stay

There are three RV Parks within walking distance to shops, restaurants and the harbor: Eagles Rest RV Park, Bear Paw RV Park, and Bayside RV Park .

Valdez KOA is 5 miles out of town and is a good alternative if you want a more secluded campsite and don’t mind driving into town.

If you won’t be camping, there are several options for motels, bed & breakfasts and cabin rentals.

Will I need a car in Valdez

If you are staying in town and catching a fishing charter or cruise of Prince William Sound, you won’t need a car. Most hotels are within walking distance to the harbor. However, if you want to explore the area outside of town, a car is a must.

A Brief History of Valdez, Alaska

Gold miners were the first outsiders to settle Valdez. Arriving by boat through Prince William Sound, they sought a passage to the interior of Alaska. The trail they created through Keystone Canyon and over Thompson Pass became the Richardson Highway, the first highway in Alaska, which currently connects Valdez to Fairbanks.

In 1964, a magnitude 9.2 earthquake shook Valdez for more than 4 minutes. Much of the town was destroyed by the earthquake and resulting tsunami and fires. Realizing the original townsite was built on unstable ground, 52 buildings were moved 4 miles east and a new port was created.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline ends in Valdez, which is the northernmost ice-free port in North America. 18 storage tanks collect and hold oil which has traveled 800 miles through the pipeline from Prudhoe Bay in the north. The oil is then loaded onto tankers and sent to markets.

In 1989, The Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled more than 10 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. Valdez, the town closest to the spill, tripled in size almost overnight as Exxon used it as a base for the cleanup. More than 10,000 people were brought to Valdez and had to be supplied with lodging, food, and supplies.