My friends and I are planning a trip to Alaska in the first week of Sept.

Its our first visit to Alaska but we've worked out a tentative itinerary thanks to all invaluable posts on this forum.


Would greatly appreciate any feedback on our proposed itinerary:

Day1: Land early evening in Anchorage & drive to Seward (3.5 hrs drive)

Day2: Day Cruise + Exit Glacier

Day3: Alaska Sea Life center + Seward to Homer (4 hrs drive) + Homer to Cooper Landing (2.5 hrs)

Day4: Cooper Landing to Denali via Alyeska (6.5 hrs drive)

Day5: Denali Tour + Denali to Fairbanks (2 hrs drive)

Day6: Fairbanks to Valdez (8 hrs drive)

Day7: Valdez to Anchorage (6.5 hrs drive) + Late night departure



Here are some questions that we are wrestling with and could use some inputs.

-- Feasibility of overall itinerary? Too much driving?

-- Quality of cell phone coverage (Sprint & Verizon)

-- Typical weather & driving conditions in first week of September

-- Any must see spots along these roads that we absolutely need to cover?

-- Other than Denali & Seward we don't intend to do advance booking in Cooper Landing, Fairbanks & Valdez). Hoping it will give us maximum flexibility if weather conditions force a change in plans. Is it feasible given its the shoulder season?

-- Day3: Worth going to Homer just to enjoy the drive? Instead of driving to Homer is there anything else we can do in Seward for the day?

-- Day4: Detour to Talkeetna worth it?

-- Day6: Is Fairbanks to Valdez doable in a day? Especially with all the scenic spots along the way


I understand the questions are too numerous but any insights on any specific parts will also be much appreciated.

Thanks!