Dave in AZ
Well-known member
@PetitFrereArmada read your whole thread tonight, loved it. Thanks for sharing your trip. A lot of your experiences made me feel better about life and people!
Texas to Alaska to Texas. 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid driving on the Dalton Highway and the Dempster Highway. July/August 2023.
- Thread starter PetitFrereArmada
- Start date
Hank Scorpio
Member
This thread is incredible. Thank you so much for sharing!
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Random Pictures from my trip out of the country...
I got to see an Arctic Truck at the Toyota dealership here in Douala, Cameroon. My first time seeing one in person and I was very impressed with the built. It looks and feels solid. A 2024 Toyota Hilux.
Price: 56,000,000 frs CFA = Approximately $92,000.
I got to see an Arctic Truck at the Toyota dealership here in Douala, Cameroon. My first time seeing one in person and I was very impressed with the built. It looks and feels solid. A 2024 Toyota Hilux.
Price: 56,000,000 frs CFA = Approximately $92,000.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Local Museum in Bandjoun.
We took a 6 hours drive with 2 vehicles to cover 140 miles one way to visit our village of Bandjoun. The roads are horrible, that is why it takes 6 hours to cover 140 miles. On top of that, they have radar detectors to get people and demand they pay 25,000 frs CFA (approximately $41) on the spot. This radar thing is honestly just a scam by these authorities. I paid it on the way to the village, driving my brother's wife's Hyundai Santa Fe. And on our way back, my brother had to pay in his Mercedes.
We took a 6 hours drive with 2 vehicles to cover 140 miles one way to visit our village of Bandjoun. The roads are horrible, that is why it takes 6 hours to cover 140 miles. On top of that, they have radar detectors to get people and demand they pay 25,000 frs CFA (approximately $41) on the spot. This radar thing is honestly just a scam by these authorities. I paid it on the way to the village, driving my brother's wife's Hyundai Santa Fe. And on our way back, my brother had to pay in his Mercedes.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
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GREAT THREAD! A Star reference for a great trip.Unfortunately, I took the oil sample but I never shipped it out to Blackstone for a UOA. Just before I shipped it out, I went to the dealership and oh well, I left with a brand new car. I traded in my 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid base model for a 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid EX-L. They gave me a good deal and I just decided to retire my 3 years old Accord Hybrid with 107,173 miles on it for a 2024 Accord Hybrid with zero miles on it.
Honestly, I felt bad trading in my 2020 Accord because it was paid for, in great shape and I have had amazing memories with it. But I bought this just because I felt it was a very good deal and it was a chance for me to dial back my odometer to zero. I plan to pay it off in 2 years or less. Also, the driver seat in this car is a lot more comfortable than my last one. The hybrid system in this one is also a bit more refined. So, I took the deal.
If you want to see the details of my purchase and how much I paid for it, you can click on the link below to read the first post on my blog on the Honda Accord forum.
PetitFrereAccord's 2024 Accord Hybrid...
www.driveaccord.net
The good thing about this 2024 over the 2020 hybrid system is that with the 2024, when you are on the freeway doing speeds of 70 to 75 mph, the car cycles to EV mode saving you gas. The 2020 Honda Accord cannot get into EV mode with speeds of 70 to 75 mph. That helps on road trips where the speed limit is 70 or 75 mph.
I do like to hypermile and I must say that in city driving, this new car is showing a slight advantage over the last car in getting a bit more mpg. But they are honestly pretty close.
I am easily getting over 55mpg in the 2024 Accord Hybrid. Well, I could get that too with my 2020 Accord Hybrid.
I have compared both vehicles in a certain situation. In mixed city/highway driving, after 500 miles, I would be getting about 53 mpg with my 2020 Accord, but with my 2024 Accord so far, after the same mileage in city/highway driving, I am getting 60 mpg.
I do like my new 2024 Accord, and just like my 2020, I plan for my Accord to not have a reason to go to the dealership for any service for the next 3 to 5 years. I will do all my maintenance myself. This car is honestly almost maintenance free, so I will do all the regular maintenance and it will not see the dealership for the next 3 to 5 years for nothing whatsoever.
As to your car being in very good condition, LOL, as far as you know it is, I don't think I'd want any car that shacked, rattled and rolled the Dempster or traversed the roads you used. Those had to be hard miles compared to the usual and customary life of an Accord from Houston.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Thanks a lot for the compliment. I really enjoyed my trip very well last year. It was my most memorable trip till date.
But guess what? I never finished that trip and I felt sad. My sibling was visiting the US at that time so I had to cut my vacation short to rush home to spend a week with him before he went back home and I had to resume work.
Well, I need to finish this trip since I never did the Dempster Highway. I now have a new Accord and I am working on getting time off at work. Usually the logistics to get time off is not easy for me. if I am lucky and it gets approved, I am going to complete this journey by doing the Dempster Highway at the end of June 2024. That is next month.
I need to do the Dempster Highway in my 2024 Honda Accord. I will not start a new thread. I will just continue this thread. Well, that is if I am lucky to be able to get time off for vacation this June/July. I will be driving back to the Yukon to do the Dempster Highway and I will also go back into Alaska and tour a bit again.
If I get to do the Dempster, it would be at the end of June where sunlight stays out for 24 hours. I figured the best time to be on the road is the midnight hours. So, that is when I plan to do a lot of the driving on that road to increase my chances of seeing wild life.
Well, it is still all wishful thinking until it is confirmed that I will be off during that period.
But rest assured, if I get the green light to go, this Accord is going to get some hardcore beating on the Dempster Highway. I am buying my full size spare tire next weekend. I have already booked some hotels along the way. Just in case I get the green light.
Stay tuned.
Dave in AZ
Well-known member
I look forward to hearing about this!
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Today, I bought a full-size spare tire for my car in preparation for over 1,000 miles of hardcore dirt road at the end of June. I plan to drive the whole of the Dempster Highway in Canada throughout the night since the sun will be up for 24 hours. The risk of having a flat tire or a cracked windshield is over 50%. I now have 2 spare tires for the trip.
My car has 17 inch wheels and tires, but this spare is 18 inches.
This spare should work if I have a flat tire and end up driving with 3 tires that are 17 inches and 1 tire that is 18 inches. This is a brand new rim and tire that, unfortunately, has rashes. But it should work for what it is intended for.
Well, the trip is not yet guaranteed to happen but I am keeping my fingers crossed for things to align for this trip to happen.
My car has 17 inch wheels and tires, but this spare is 18 inches.
This spare should work if I have a flat tire and end up driving with 3 tires that are 17 inches and 1 tire that is 18 inches. This is a brand new rim and tire that, unfortunately, has rashes. But it should work for what it is intended for.
Well, the trip is not yet guaranteed to happen but I am keeping my fingers crossed for things to align for this trip to happen.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
It is a go. I am going to drive the Dempster Highway. My 2024 Accord Honda is in for some serious beating on that road. I have a full spare and a donut spare. So I have 2 spare tires. I will use 2 days to drive from Dawson City to Inuvik. I want to drive a lot of the road from 11pm to 6 am. Taking my time to enjoy the journey, taking lots of pictures and videos with my drone. I will spend 2 nights at a hotel in Inuvik. I will take a day to drive to Tuktoyatuk to spend the day and drive back to Inuvik. The next day I will drive straight from Inuvik to Dawson City.
I just wonder what the weather condition will be on the Dempster Highway as from June 24th to June 28th. Is the road dry and dusty or is it wet and muddy?
TENTATIVE ROAD TRIP PLAN
Wed, June 19: Houston to Denver (16 hours drive)
Thurs, June 20: Denver to Lethbridge, AB (14 hours drive)
Fri, June 21: Lethbridge to Jasper, AB (7 hours drive turned to over 10 hours because of stops to see Banff National Park along the way)
Sat, June 22: Jasper, AB to Dawson Creek, BC (6 hours)
Sun, June 23: Dawson Creek, BC to Swift River, YK (12 hours drive)
Mon, June 24: Swift River to Dawson City, YK (9 hours)
Tues, June 25: Dawson City to Inuvik, NT ( 12 hours) but I plan to drive this in 2 days. Camp and sleep somewhere along the road, preferably at Fort McPherson at first ferry crossing. I want to be able to be driving on that road from 11pm to 6am. Increase my chance to see wild life, drive super slow and enjoy the road. Take tons of pictures and videos with my drone.
Wed, June 26: Cross both ferries and spent tome at the amall ferry towns. Arrive Inuvik. Check into hotel as early as possible.
Thurs, June 27: Inuvik to Tuktoyatuk, NWT. Spend the day and return back to Inuvik by 8 pm.
Fri, June 28: Inuvik to Dawson City, YK (15 hours drive)
Sat, June 29: Speed the day in Dawson City. Spend half the day to wash my car.
Sun, June 30: Dawson City to Copper Center, AK ( 8 hours drive)
Mon, July 1: Copper Center to McCarthy, AK (4 hours drive) Spend the day visiting the town of McCarthy. Visit Kennecott Minea National Historic Landmark. Sleep in my car at McCarthy.
Tues, July 2: McCarthy to Anchorage, AK.
Wed, July 3: Day trip somewhere
Thurs, July 4: Day trip somewhere
Fri, July 5: Anchorage to Fairbanks, AK (7 hours)
Sat, July 6: Fairbanks to Whitehorse, YK (12 hours drive)
Sun, July 7: Day trip to Skagway, AK. Tour Skagway. Tour Carcross along the way.
Mon, July 8: Whitehorse to Jade City, BC (6 hours)
Tues, July 9: Jade City to Stewart, BC (6 hours drive)
Wed, July 10: Stewart to Prince George, BC (8 hours drive)
Thurs, July 11: Prince George to Whistler, BC using the Sea to Sky Hwy(8 hours drive)
Fri, July 12: Whistler to Portland, OR (7 hours drive)
July 13 to July 19: Chose any scenic road to head back to Home to Texas.
I just wonder what the weather condition will be on the Dempster Highway as from June 24th to June 28th. Is the road dry and dusty or is it wet and muddy?
TENTATIVE ROAD TRIP PLAN
Wed, June 19: Houston to Denver (16 hours drive)
Thurs, June 20: Denver to Lethbridge, AB (14 hours drive)
Fri, June 21: Lethbridge to Jasper, AB (7 hours drive turned to over 10 hours because of stops to see Banff National Park along the way)
Sat, June 22: Jasper, AB to Dawson Creek, BC (6 hours)
Sun, June 23: Dawson Creek, BC to Swift River, YK (12 hours drive)
Mon, June 24: Swift River to Dawson City, YK (9 hours)
Tues, June 25: Dawson City to Inuvik, NT ( 12 hours) but I plan to drive this in 2 days. Camp and sleep somewhere along the road, preferably at Fort McPherson at first ferry crossing. I want to be able to be driving on that road from 11pm to 6am. Increase my chance to see wild life, drive super slow and enjoy the road. Take tons of pictures and videos with my drone.
Wed, June 26: Cross both ferries and spent tome at the amall ferry towns. Arrive Inuvik. Check into hotel as early as possible.
Thurs, June 27: Inuvik to Tuktoyatuk, NWT. Spend the day and return back to Inuvik by 8 pm.
Fri, June 28: Inuvik to Dawson City, YK (15 hours drive)
Sat, June 29: Speed the day in Dawson City. Spend half the day to wash my car.
Sun, June 30: Dawson City to Copper Center, AK ( 8 hours drive)
Mon, July 1: Copper Center to McCarthy, AK (4 hours drive) Spend the day visiting the town of McCarthy. Visit Kennecott Minea National Historic Landmark. Sleep in my car at McCarthy.
Tues, July 2: McCarthy to Anchorage, AK.
Wed, July 3: Day trip somewhere
Thurs, July 4: Day trip somewhere
Fri, July 5: Anchorage to Fairbanks, AK (7 hours)
Sat, July 6: Fairbanks to Whitehorse, YK (12 hours drive)
Sun, July 7: Day trip to Skagway, AK. Tour Skagway. Tour Carcross along the way.
Mon, July 8: Whitehorse to Jade City, BC (6 hours)
Tues, July 9: Jade City to Stewart, BC (6 hours drive)
Wed, July 10: Stewart to Prince George, BC (8 hours drive)
Thurs, July 11: Prince George to Whistler, BC using the Sea to Sky Hwy(8 hours drive)
Fri, July 12: Whistler to Portland, OR (7 hours drive)
July 13 to July 19: Chose any scenic road to head back to Home to Texas.
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grizzlypath
Active member
I grew up in the Skagway area, I hope you enjoy SE AK!
crazysccrmd
Observer
Cram as much driving as possible into Houston to Fort St John, there's not a whole lot of scenery to take in on that part of the drive. I'm talking 16 hour days, just crush it out and free up time to enjoy the good stuff in the coming days. Leaving Anchorage I'd suggest continuing past Fairbanks to at least Tok, probably as far as Beaver Creek. There isn't much to see once you get to Fairbanks and that time spent on the road instead of sitting at camp could be better saved for Haines/Skagway.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Thanks a lot for the great advice. I appreciate it very much.
The main "raison d'etre" for this trip is to check off my bucket list item of driving the Dempster Highway and visiting McCatthy-Kennicott Mine. So, I plan to savor the wilderness landscape on this trip. Though I am not doing this trip in a 4x4, I think my Accord can take the beating. Let me detail my plan.
My plan is to drive for 2 days to get to Inuvik. Take a lot of time to enjoy the vast wilderness and landscape. I hope that would be enough time to stop and smell the roses. Also, stop to help any stranded person with a flat tire or anything.
June 25: Leave hotel at Dawson City at about 10am. Start driving slow and steady towards Tombstone Territorial Park. Make many stops along the way. Best part is to make sure I am driving as from 10 pm at night. I wonder if that will increase my chances of seeing wildlife.
June 26: Around 1am on the 26th, I want to make sure I am still driving. It never gets darks, so I want to be out there driving, taking pictures and looking for wildlife. I am guessing I may come and stop at MacKenzie river Crossing after 2am. I will have to stay there until the crossing opens at 9am. It will be a long time to be stuck there. Maybe I will use that time to take a nap. When the ferry opens at 9am, I hope I am among the first to cross.
After the Ferry crossing at 9am, I will drive the remaining 3 hours to Inuvik. Slow and steady and take maybe 4 or more hours. Check in at my hotel as early as it is allowed so I can shower and rest before going out to look for food. Tour Inuvik. Upload my blog.
June 27th: Wake up and take a day trip to Tuktoyatuk. Spend the whole day there. Come back to Inuvik by 6am to go to bed early.
June 28th: Drive Inuvik to Dawson City. Check out of the hotel at 5am to drive 3 hours to the MacKenzie crossing to be in the first group of people crossing the MacKenzie ferry at 9am. Make few stops. Drive all the way to Dawson City.
That is my most detailed plan so far for the Dempster Highway.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I thought about going further than Jade City, but there is no other good town to get a cheap hotel. They are all priced above $150.
Sadly, my greatest expense is usually hotels. There are many places where my hotel is more than $100 a night. My trip is 30 days long. 30 days at hotels for an average of $100 a night makes it $3,000 before I even start my trip. Unfortunately, there is no way for me to save on hotels by camping or sleeping in my car. I just sleep in my car very rarely. And I hate paying a lot for a hotel when I hardly ever spend time there as I am always leaving the hotels early to start my day. On my whole trip, I treat myself to good hotels only for like 7 days. Most of the time it is more about finding the best for less than $90 since I spend only one night at most. I get there, take a shower, sleep and up the next day at 5am to drive over 7 hours to my next destination.
I wish those locations you suggested had hotels for $100, I could have gone there to stay the night. But thanks a lot for the tips as it gives me good reason to stop at some of those towns to look around.
I have done Sea to the Sky road one time before and it was a blast. I always said to myself that I would love another opportunity to drive down that road again. The trip is mostly downhill. If I decide to hypermile with my Accord hybrid, I would get some crazy good mpg numbers. That is above 60 mpg.
And yes, driving through Vancouver is crazy. Right now I am wondering if I should get a hotel in Vancouver or drive through and sleep in the US. And yes, I will go to the less busy border crossing.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Thanks a lot for this breakdown. I do like numbers like you. I use numbers in almost everything I do. It helps me easily understand and remember things since I am good with numbers.Okay, so I'm sure you know all the numbers but I looked them up (I like numbers) ...
Dawson to Peel River crossing is ~575 kms. 10am depart to 2 am stop at the first ferry queue to rest is 14 hrs**. Say averages at 41 kph (25 mph) driving. Clearly doable and you'll be going faster.
Or put another way, 9 hrs at 65 kph (40 mph, a slowish rate but maybe good for the car) and 5 hrs for stops. Still doable.
The second leg to Inuvik has plenty of time, likewise the day trip to Tuk.
So yeah, I hope that all works out you.
Good question on the wildlife at night. Don't really know. We've been up a few times and frankly didn't see much. Found a couple caribou antlers tho .. but you have to stop and look around for those!
Safe trip !
** edit: or 16hrs if you round it up :smh:
Your breakdown really makes sense and aligns with what I have been calculating already on paper. I hope I do not get a flat tire on this trip, even though I am prepared with 2 spare tires. But I plan to stop 100% if I see someone with any sign of distress. I have 2 first aid kits and a tire plug kit. Those are things that I will gladly give away if I meet anybody on the road who needs help. I have been helped before on the road and I was more than grateful. So, I see it as a good thing to always be helpful to others on the road.
You really put it very well in numbers. So, that is basically what I will do. Now I just hope I get to see some wildlife.
1st river crossing is Peel River Crossing which opens at 9am and closes at 1am.
2nd river Crossing is MacKenzie River Crossing which opens at 8 am and closes at 12 midnight.
My goal is to cross the Peel River Crossing just before 1am. Then drive an hour to get to MacKenzie. But MacKenzie will be closed by the time I get there, so that is where I plan to stay until 9am when it opens.
Then I slowly take my time to complete the remaining 3 hours to Inuvik.
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