Valdez to Fairbanks via Richardson Highway is shorter than the Tok Cut-off and goes more directly through the Alaska Range, so it has spectacular in-mountain scenery. Short hikes possible in the Tangle Lakes area-requires a short detour onto the Denali Highway, not approved for rental cars. Hikes to glaciers possible directly from the Richardson Hwy as you go through the Alaska Range.

Views from the Tok Cut-off are into mountains to the east in Wrangell - St Elias National Park. Nice, but you are not as much in the mountains. For photos people have taken along these routes, I'd suggest using Google Earth and turning on the Photos box under Primary Database. Then zoom in along each highway and click on the photo icons.

The third week of September is pretty late in the season. Expect near freezing temperatures and watch out for early snow.