Canadian Tourism Commission

Be sure to have ID handy for every member of your party. You may need it when you enter Canada, and very likely will need it when you re-enter the US. Many times they will only ask for your driver's license, but you are strongly urged to take your birth certificate along, and proof of insurance (You can get a card from your car insurance company for this). Don't forget to include ID for everyone under 18, also! They will want to see a birth certificate, or at least a Picture ID, for everyone under 18. You are entering a foreign country. They're so friendly, sometimes we forget that. It never hurts to have a copy of yours along. Just in case.

Be sure you have plenty of cash with you. You will be asked at the border whether you have enough with you or not. If you are driving through to Alaska, I'd say at least $500.00 Canadian, to be on the safe side. That's usually enough if you're crossing into Canada from Washington State. Take even more if you can, to account for unexpected layovers, auto repairs, etc. Better safe than sorry! Most communities will be able to handle $50 dollar bills, the larger ones $100's. The larger communities should be able to take Canadian Traveler's checks. You can get them from Thomas Cook and banks in Canada. Ask your bank to see if they're available in the US. There will be many places, in Canada especially, that will not accept your credit cards. Especially American Express.

Be sure to chart your path carefully before setting out. Know your route thoroughly, and all the available gas/food/lodging/camping points along the way. Do not stop in remote locations at night unless you absolutely have to. It can be dangerous, and the Canadian Mounties really frown on this. The unpredictablity of animal behavior goes without saying, but there have also been reports about people being robbed in Northern B.C. It pays to be cautious.

An almost indispensable aid to your journey is, The Milepost: Trip Planner for Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta & Northwest Territories Spring 2000-Spring 2001 (Milepost, 52nd Ed) This thick, information-chocked paperback is published once a year. This particular edition will be issued in March, 2000. If you cannot wait that long to begin your planning, (Although I would really advise against trying to drive up in the winter unless you absolutely have to.) you may pick up the current edition here. This is an excellent guide. One of the best I've seen. But even they cannot predict what changes the vagaries of weather and other difficulties may create to change the actual situation along the way. You need to be prepared for this.

One of the major problems for someone driving to Alaska is gas. Once you get past Prince George, gas stations are much, MUCH farther apart. It is not uncommon to see someone scooting along with several gas cans strapped to the top of their car. Because of the unusually bad winter that year, when we drove up in late April one year, the northern half of the Province was still locked in snow and ice. Many of the places we thought would be open already were not. So be sure to plan for this possibility. In the early spring, the farthest we went without available gas was approx 250 miles. But this is because two of the places along the way where we expected to be able to get gas were still closed. In the tourist season, the longest stretch along the Alaska highway without gas is approximately 145 miles. Your safest bet, in any case, is if you need more than 1/4 tank of gas and there's a waterin' hole available--tank up. One less headache to worry about along the way.

Be sure to plan for a wide variety of weather and temperatures, just in case. Like Washington State, there's a good chance you're going to run into a lot of rain, especially in Southern and Western B.C. but don't let this discourage you! It is a wonderful drive. The scenery is fantastic, and the vast majority of the people you meet, open and friendly. With a little forethought and planning, you'll experience the trip of a lifetime.

For more in-depth information on US/Canadian Customs requirements, check The Milepost, or contact US/Canadian Customs at:

US Customs Service PO Box 7407, Washington, DC 20044 In Seattle, Phone (206) 553-4676 US Customs Website

Canadian Customs Customs Border Services Regional Information Unit 333 Dunsmuir St Main Floor Vancouver BC V6B 5R4 (604) 666-0545 Canadian customs and Revenue Agency