Ultimate 7- and 10-Day Alaska Summer Road Trip Itinerary
Dreaming of an epic Alaska summer vacation? This no-cruise, self-drive itinerary is for you. Whether you have 7 days or 10, this Alaska summer road trip itinerary will walk you through exactly what to do, where to stay, and how to make the most of your time—from the stunning Kenai Peninsula to the wild heart of Denali National Park.
This guide is built directly from the “Classic Alaska” itineraries in my Ultimate Alaska Family Travel Planner—designed to save you hours of research and help you confidently plan your adventure.
✅ Perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers
✅ No cruises—just gorgeous scenic drives and bucket-list stops
✅ Fly into Anchorage, rent a car, and explore Alaska at your own pace
📌 Why Choose a Fly-and-Drive Alaska Summer Road Trip Itinerary?
Alaska isn’t a place you can fully appreciate from a cruise deck (unless you are cruising the Inner Passage and southern Alaska) or a tour bus window. A self-drive trip gives you the freedom to:
- Pull over when you see a moose (or a gorgeous mountain reflected in a glacier lake!)
- Customize your stops based on your interests
- Stay in off-the-beaten-path cabins or charming local lodges
- Avoid crowds and explore at your own pace
Best of all? You get to see more of Alaska’s stunning diversity—from coastal fjords to glacial rivers, alpine tundra, mountain ranges, and tiny towns brimming with character.
Let’s dig into your dream Alaska itinerary.
What is the classic Alaska Road Trip Itinerary?
Basically, there are so many places to visit in central and south-central Alaska, you could easily get overwhelmed trying to cobble together the perfect Alaska road trip. Plus, driving times between major areas can be 4-6 hours (not including delays due to road work.. and slow traffic).
It is not feasible to try and jam everything into your first trip to Alaska. If you are really ambitious and have an unlimited budget you could probably push your itinerary out to 14 days or longer. But honestly, 7 or 10 days is the sweet spot.
The Classic Summer Alaska Road Trip Itinerary is perfect because it includes national parks, mountain areas, coastal areas, easy and budget friendly activity options, and a few big splurges that are honestly about as big as Alaska itself.
🚗 7-Day Classic Alaska Summer Road Trip Itinerary (Anchorage Round-Trip)
Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage + Local Sights
Anchorage isn’t just a starting point—it’s worth exploring! Once you arrive:
- Pick up your rental car at the airport and check into your hotel
- Head downtown to stroll along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for views of Cook Inlet and (on clear days) Denali
- Explore the Anchorage Museum for hands-on science and cultural exhibits (great for kids)
- Grab dinner at Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria or 49th State Brewing Company—two local favorites
You will be tempted to just hit the road, but chances are you will be arriving late morning/mid-afternoon and will be tired. Just take it easy today, have a nice dinner, and get to bed early enough so your body can adjust to the time change!
The Moose’s Tooth might have the best pizza ever. We make it a point to eat here at least once every time we visit Alaska!
Optional: Stock up on snacks and groceries at Fred Meyer or Target before hitting the road tomorrow.
Overnight: Anchorage
Driving Time: Minimal
Day 2: Anchorage ➡ Denali National Park (via Talkeetna)
Hit the road early and head north on the George Parks Highway. You’ll want time to explore Talkeetna—a quirky frontier town with colorful buildings, gift shops, and killer views of Denali.
Must-Do Stops:
- Talkeetna Riverfront Park: Beautiful picnic spot
- Flying Squirrel Bakery: Coffee and fresh-baked goodies OR
- Mountain High Pizza Pie for the best lunch!
- Nagley’s Store: A slice of small-town Alaska charm
Continue to Denali National Park, check into your lodge or cabin, and visit the Denali Visitor Center to get maps and activity info. If you’re traveling with kids, check out the Junior Ranger Program.
Depending on when you leave Anchorage and how long you stay in Talkeetna, you might have time to either visit Husky Homestead and see the sled dogs or go on a thrilling adventure with Denali Park Zipline. I would highly recommend either tour for mid-to-late afternoon tours.
Where to eat dinner: If you didn’t already eat at 49th State Brewing Company in Anchorage, I would check out their location in the Denali National Park area.
Overnight: Denali area
Driving Time: ~5 hours (with Talkeetna stop)
Day 3: Explore Denali National Park
This is a day you’ll never forget.
Option A: Tundra Wilderness Tour
- A 5–6 hour narrated bus tour into Denali’s protected wilderness zone
- High chance of seeing wildlife like grizzlies, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and eagles
- Amazing views of Denali (if the weather cooperates!)
Option B: Shorter Family Activities
- Take the free Park Shuttle to Savage River for a gentle 2-mile loop hike
- Visit the Sled Dog Kennels for a demonstration
- Hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail—easy and beautiful with boardwalks and beaver dams
If you didn’t check out Husky Homestead or Denali Park Zipline on Day 2, you can easily add one of these adventures to Option A or Option B on your Day 3 adventures. Just make sure you check the times for both Tundra Wilderness Tour and the Sled Dog Kennel demonstrations.
Overnight: Denali area
Driving Time: None (bus tour)
Meals on Day 3. For breakfast I would definitely check out Rose’s Cafe. The pancakes are literally as big as a wheel! Lunch will be a sack lunch or something quick in the park. Dinner options include anything at the Princess Lodge (you don’t have to stay there to eat there) or the Black Diamond Grill (which is open late which is super convenient).
Day 4: Denali ➡ Matanuska Glacier / Glacier View
You will want to get a fairly early start to this day. It’s a 5 hour drive from Denali National Park to the Matanuska Glacier area. But it’s totally worth the drive! Hiking on Matanuska Glacier will be one of the highlights of your trip, no doubt about it.
Head south along the Parks Highway and turn east onto the Glenn Highway toward Glacier View, one of Alaska’s most scenic (and underrated!) areas.
Stop for lunch in Palmer or Wasilla—try Vagabond Blues or the Palmer Alehouse. Then continue through Chickaloon into the wild Matanuska Valley.
Activity Options:
- Book a guided glacier hike on Matanuska Glacier—yes, you can walk on the ice!
- Or just take in the views from the Glacier Overlook Trail at MICA Guides
- Adventure seekers: Zipline, ice climb, or go whitewater rafting
We were able to book a private Ice Fall Trek tour AND go ziplining on the super long and fast G2 Zipline. If you want to do both, call the MICA tour office and see what they can do to acommodate you. Ziplining tours run until about 5pm and ice trek tours start as late as 330pm (they are 3 hour tours). So, if you are feeling adventurous, you could do both!
Overnight: Glacier View cabin or lodge. Alternate option- drive 1 to 1.5 hours back to stay at Wasilla or Palmer.
Driving Time: ~5 hours
Where to eat dinner? Grand View has a great restaurant with some of the best berry pie around.
Day 5: Glacier View ➡ Seward (Kenai Peninsula)
Today’s drive is epic. You’ll head back through Anchorage and down the Seward Highway, one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S.
Must-Do Stops:
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: A great family-friendly stop to see bears, musk oxen, and moose up close. Plan to spend about 2 hours here.
- Turnagain Arm: Watch for beluga whales near Beluga Point
- Girdwood: Stretch your legs or ride the tram at Alyeska Resort
Arrive in Seward, a historic port town on Resurrection Bay surrounded by mountains and glaciers.
Dinner Suggestion: The Cookery or Chinook
Overnight: Seward
Driving Time: ~6 hours (with scenic stops) or about 4.5 hours with scenic stops if you start from Palmer or Wasilla.
Day 6: Kenai Fjords National Park Day Cruise
Today’s highlight: a full- or half-day glacier and wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll cruise past tidewater glaciers and sea cliffs teeming with wildlife.
Wildlife to Watch For:
- Humpback whales
- Sea otters
- Harbor seals
- Puffins
- Bald eagles
- Stellar sea lions
Optional Afternoon Add-ons:
- Alaska SeaLife Center: Interactive marine science museum. You won’t need more than an hour here unless you book a special tour. But it’s definitely worth a stop, especially if you have kids!
- Ice cream at Sweet Darlings on the Seward waterfront
Overnight: Seward
Driving Time: None
Dinner recommendation: We loved the Exit Glacier Salmon Bake. Fantastic salmon and drool-worthy desserts!
Day 7: Seward ➡ Anchorage + Departure
Wrap up your adventure with a relaxing drive back to Anchorage.
Optional Stops:
- Exit Glacier (short hike to a glacier overlook)
- Girdwood Bake Shop for cinnamon rolls
- Potter Marsh: Easy boardwalk trail with great birdwatching near Anchorage
Return your rental car and head to the airport—or, stay an extra night if your flight is the next day.
Driving Time: 2.5–3.5 hours
🏕️ 10-Day Classic Alaska Summer Road Trip Itinerary (Expanded Adventure)
If you have more time, this expanded version gives you slower mornings, more wildlife opportunities, and a taste of the off-the-beaten-path charm of Whittier.
Follow Days 1–6 above, then continue:
Day 7: Seward + More Girdwood
Spend the morning in Seward and then end the day at the Aleyska Resort (or a more budget friendly hotel in Girdwood).
Options for the morning and early afternoon:
- Visit Exit Glacier (1–2 hour loop hike)
- Go dog sledding on wheels at Seavey’s IdidaRide
- Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center if you missed it the day before
Souvenir Alert: The Seward harbor has some of the best local shops for prints, shirts, and handmade goods.
Afternoon activities:
- Pan for gold at Crow Creek Mine
- Visit Portage Glacier Visitor Center and if time permits, take the boat tour
- Ride the Aleyska Tram
Overnight: Girdwood
Day 8: Whittier Day Trip
On Day 8, if you choose the Whittier Day Trip it will last all day unless you only drive to Whittier, eat lunch, and drive back to Anchorage. I highly recommend doing the 26 Glacier Tour if you decide to visit Whittier. It is different enough from the wildlife tours in Seward and yes, you really do see 26 glaciers!
After the 26 Glacier Tour, drive back to Anchorage.
Note: If you don’t want to book the 26 Glacier Tour, I would recommend adding one day to the Denali National Park part of your trip and using that day to either hike or take a water rafting tour.
Overnight: Anchorage
Driving Time: 1.5-2 hours
Day 9: Splurge Adventure Day (base Anchorage)
This is an all day splurge adventure day. Each of these options will be adventurous, more expensive, and will take most- if not all- of your day. They are also all totally worth the time and cost and might be the best thing you do on your entire trip!
- Bear Viewing Tour: Fly to Katmai National Park and watch the bears at Brooks Falls.
- Talkeetna Air Taxi Denali Flightseeing Tour: A breathtaking aerial tour of Denali, with optional glacier landings.
Dinner Suggestion: If you choose a Bear Viewing Tour, eat at the Brooks Falls Lodge. If you choose the flightseeing tour, eat dinner in Talkeetna.
Overnight: Anchorage
Day 10: Anchorage
There are plenty of things to do in and around Anchorage. If you opted for the Katmai bear watching tour on Day 9 there would definitely be time to do Denali flight-seeing today.
Here are some other options you can mix and match:
- Visit the Reindeer and Musk Ox Farms in Palmer, Alaska.
- Visit Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Eagle River Nature Center. This would be a great evening option. The nature center itself might be closed but there are numerous trails and nature walks that are still open.
🧳 Planning Tips + Tools to Make It Easy
📅 When to Go:
June through mid-August is ideal for long daylight hours, open trails, and active wildlife.
👶 Traveling with Kids?
Every stop in this itinerary includes family-friendly options. Look for shorter hikes, museums, and wildlife centers.
🧼 Bathroom & Gas Tips:
Always fill up when you can—gas stations can be 50+ miles apart in some stretches. Outhouses are common in parks.
☁️ Weather:
Alaska weather changes fast! Even in summer, pack:
- Rain jackets
- Layers (fleece, long sleeves)
- Hat and gloves
- Hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers
Want a done-for-you plan with checklists, Google Maps links, and editable versions?
👉 Grab the Ultimate Alaska Family Travel Planner—your one-stop tool for making this dream trip a reality.
🎒 What’s Inside the Ultimate Alaska Family Travel Planner?
This printable + digital Google Sheets tool includes:
- ✅ Day-by-day Classic Alaska itineraries (editable)
- ✅ Alaska packing checklists (printable and editable)
- ✅ Budget + accommodation trackers
- ✅ Food, grocery, and restaurant recs
- ✅ Weather + emergency info
- ✅ Wildlife sighting tracker (printable and editable)
- ✅ Pre-trip planning checklist and timeline
Designed to save hours of research and keep your trip organized—whether you’re a Type A planner or a “figure it out as we go” type.
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Final Thoughts
A well-planned Alaska road trip is an unforgettable adventure—but it can feel overwhelming to piece everything together, especially if you’ve never been.
With this 7- or 10-day Alaska summer road trip itinerary in your pocket, you’ll feel confident, prepared, and ready to soak in every glacier, mountain, and moose sighting along the way.
📌 Pin this post, grab the planner, and start packing. Alaska is calling.
