Alaska Summer Driving Checklist – Every summer, thousands of Alaskans and visitors travel the state’s scenic highways to fish, camp, hike, explore national parks, and enjoy the Midnight Sun. While Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes make every road trip memorable, the state’s remote highways, changing weather, and long distances between services demand more preparation than many travelers expect.

A well-maintained vehicle is one of your best defenses against breakdowns and preventable accidents. Before you leave home, take time to inspect your vehicle and prepare for the unique challenges of driving in Alaska.

How Should You Use An Alaska Summer Driving Checklist?

Quick Answer:

Before traveling, inspect your tires, brakes, fluids, battery, windshield, lights, and emergency equipment. Verify that your vehicle is mechanically sound, pack emergency supplies, and plan for long stretches without fuel, cellular service, or repair facilities. Preventive maintenance reduces the likelihood of mechanical failures that can leave drivers stranded or contribute to serious accidents.

Why An Alaska Summer Driving Checklist Matters

Many Alaska highways travel through remote areas where drivers may not see another service station for 100 miles or more. If your vehicle breaks down, help may take considerably longer to arrive than it would in more populated areas. An Alaska Summer Driving Checklist helps prevent being stranded.

Preparing your vehicle before your trip helps reduce the risk of:

• Tire blowouts
• Brake failures
• Engine overheating
• Dead batteries
• Running out of fuel
• Mechanical breakdowns in isolated areas

A few hours of preparation can save you hours—or even days—of unexpected delays.

Inspect Your Tires Carefully Before A Road Trip

Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road.

Before every summer road trip:

• Check tire pressure when the tires are cold.
• Inspect tread depth.
• Look for uneven wear, cracks, bulges, or embedded objects.
• Verify that your spare tire is properly inflated.
• Confirm that your jack and lug wrench are in the vehicle.

Underinflated or worn tires increase stopping distance and significantly raise the risk of a blowout, especially when carrying heavy camping gear or towing a trailer.

Check Your Braking System

Mountain roads, construction zones, wildlife crossings, and heavy traffic demand dependable brakes.

If you notice:

• Squealing or grinding
• Soft brake pedals
• Vehicle vibration during braking
• Longer stopping distances

Part of a good Alaska Summer Driving Checklist is to have your braking system inspected before beginning your trip.

Never ignore warning signs that could indicate brake problems.

Replace Worn Windshield Wipers

Alaska weather can change quickly, even during the summer.

Rain, road spray, mud, insects, and dust can dramatically reduce visibility.

Add replacing worn windshield wipers and refilling your windshield washer fluid to your Alaska Summer Driving Checklist before leaving home. Clean windshields improve visibility and help drivers identify wildlife, pedestrians, cyclists, and changing road conditions sooner.

Test Your Battery Before Your Road Trip

Vehicle batteries often fail without warning.

Before a long road trip:

• Inspect battery terminals for corrosion.
• Ensure cables are secure.
• Test older batteries.
• Replace weak batteries before they leave you stranded.

A battery failure in a remote part of Alaska can become much more than an inconvenience.

Verify All Lights Are Working

Check every exterior light, including:

• Headlights
• Brake lights
• Tail lights
• Turn signals
• Hazard flashers
• Reverse lights

Proper lighting helps other drivers see your vehicle during rain, fog, wildfire smoke, or nighttime travel.

Check All Vehicle Fluids

Before traveling, inspect:

• Engine oil
• Coolant
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield washer fluid

Look underneath your vehicle for signs of fluid leaks. Addressing small leaks before a trip can prevent major mechanical failures later.

Roadside Emergency Kit – Key Item On Your Alaska Summer Driving Checklist

Even the best-maintained vehicles can experience unexpected problems.

Your emergency kit should include:

• Drinking water
• Non-perishable food
• First-aid supplies
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Reflective warning triangles
• Jumper cables
• Tire repair supplies
• Portable air compressor
• Basic hand tools
• Warm clothing
• Rain gear
• Emergency blankets
• Phone charger or portable power bank
• Paper road maps

These supplies can make a significant difference if you become stranded.

Fuel Up Before You Need It

Fuel stations can be widely spaced on many Alaska highways.

Don’t wait until your fuel gauge is nearly empty.

Whenever possible:

• Refill when your tank reaches half full.
• Know where the next fuel stop is located.
• Carry extra fuel only if it is stored safely in approved containers.

Running out of fuel in a remote location can quickly become dangerous.

Secure Your Cargo

Loose equipment inside a vehicle can become dangerous during sudden braking or a collision.

Secure:

• Coolers
• Camping equipment
• Fishing gear
• Luggage
• Firewood
• Recreational equipment

If you’re using a roof rack or cargo carrier, inspect all straps and mounting hardware before every travel day.

Know Your Vehicle’s Height and Weight

Drivers of motorhomes, campers, and vehicles towing trailers should know:

• Overall vehicle height
• Overall length
• Vehicle weight
• Maximum towing capacity

Understanding these measurements helps prevent collisions with low-clearance structures and reduces the risk of overloading your vehicle.

Don’t Ignore Dashboard Warning Lights

Dashboard warning lights exist for a reason. Checking them regularly is key to a good Alaska Summer Driving Checklist.

If a warning light appears before your road trip, diagnose and repair the problem before continuing your journey. Ignoring mechanical warning signs increases the risk of costly breakdowns and may contribute to preventable accidents.

What Should You Do If Your Vehicle Breaks Down?

If your vehicle becomes disabled during a road trip:

1. Pull completely off the roadway if possible.
2. Turn on your hazard lights.
3. Stay inside the vehicle if remaining outside creates a greater danger.
4. Place reflective warning devices if it is safe to do so.
5. Contact roadside assistance or emergency services.
6. If cellular service is unavailable, remain with your vehicle unless immediate safety requires otherwise.

Stay with your vehicle. A vehicle is generally easier for emergency responders to locate than someone walking along a remote highway.

An Alaska Summer Driving Checklist Is the First Step Toward a Safe Alaska Adventure

Alaska offers some of the most spectacular driving opportunities in North America, but safe travel begins long before you turn the key. Routine maintenance, emergency planning, and careful preparation reduce the likelihood of breakdowns and help protect everyone on the road.

Whether you’re heading to Denali, Homer, Seward, Fairbanks, Valdez, or anywhere in between, taking the time to prepare your vehicle allows you to enjoy Alaska’s extraordinary landscapes with greater confidence and peace of mind.

If you have been seriously injured in an Alaska accident, contact Johnson Law, P.C. We help injured Alaskans and those injured while visiting Alaska understand their rights and we fight for the compensation they deserve. Please call Johnson Law to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping injured Alaskans and those injured while visiting Alaska for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Image generated using ChatGPT – Prompt: An Alaska Summer Driving Checklist Before A Road Trip

Plan Your Alaska Summer Road Trip Route

Alaska summer road trips are legendary for their beauty and access to top sights as well as off-the-beaten track destinations. Driving areas such as the famed Alaska Highway in a car or RV offers the opportunity to linger along the way. Especially since, some of the world’s wildest and most beautiful national and state parks are along this route. Cultural attractions, adventure tours, incredible scenery, and unforgettable experiences make this option popular with independent travelers. Safety on road trips is the key to great adventure. For this reason, take steps to ensure a safe and fun road trip.

Practice Driving

Be confident behind the wheel before you start your Alaska Summer Road Trip. Whether you own or rent, it is critical that you are familiar with the vehicle you are using. Practice with the vehicle. Get a feel for how the vehicle handles and drives before you start your trip. Be aware of Alaska’s road laws and regulations that apply along your route.

Insurance and Road Service

Make sure your insurance covers every aspect of your Alaska Summer Road Trip. Be sure to research road services that specialize in recreational vehicles. Only a few road service companies will tow the trailer, too. You don’t want to leave all of your possessions in a trailer on the side of the road. Before getting on the road, ask: “Am I covered?“

• Does your auto insurance cover your trailer? 
• Does your motorhome policy cover your towed vehicle?
• Do you need separate RV insurance or road service coverage?
• Will your insurance cover towing your motorhome, your truck, AND trailer, or will they leave your trailer behind?
• How far will they tow you?

Before the Alaska Summer Road Trip

Alaska Summer Road Trips, adventure and safety go hand-in-hand.

Complete a full safety check to ensure the vehicle is travel-ready before leaving for your Alaska Summer Road Trip and between each leg of the trip. First, make a specific checklist and review it thoroughly to be assured everything is in its place. Second, ensure no doors or awnings have been left unlatched. Third, retract any steps and stabilizing jacks. Finally, if you are towing a car, check the tow bar and secure the safety cables.

Look under the vehicle for fluid leaks and monitor coolant level, engine oil and transmission fluid. Likewise, make sure the parking brake, air brakes and tow brakes are working properly. Check tire inflation levels and tread, including the spare, before hitting the road. Balance weight throughout a recreational vehicle to lessen the possibility of tipping. Plan water and waste stops along the way to reduce the vehicle’s weight on the road. Blown tires, height clearance mistakes, and overloading are the leading causes of recreational vehicle accidents during Alaska Summer Road Trips.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your Alaska accident injury case. We are here to serve you.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: Travel Alaska; Alaska DMV

Image Source: Alaska Collection

Keep Small Children Out Of Front Seats

Increase safety when Alaska Summer Driving With Kids. Avoid encouraging the front seat as a right of passage. Until the child is of sufficient size and weight, the safest place for your child is the center back seat. Also, use an appropriate car seat or booster that actually fits your child. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death among children.  Further, CDC studies show that car seats reduce risk of injury in a crash up to 82 percent compared with seat belt use alone.

Alaskan Law Regulates Car Seat Safety

AS 28.05.095 Use of Seat Belts and Child Safety Devices Required outlines the requirements for seat belt and car seat use in Alaska regardless of the vehicle occupant’s age.

Senate Bill No. 218 An Act Relating to Use of Child Safety Seats and Seat Belts defines changes to AS 28.05.095 to more clearly outline car seat requirements which keep our children safer.

Alaska Summer Driving With Kids and Car Seat Safety

Increase safety when Alaska Summer Driving With Kids. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them completely, every time you put your child in a car seat. Before securing your child in a car seat, install it correctly.

Rear-facing car seats should be used for infants and children weighing 20 pounds or less. The chest straps should not have slack and the chest clip should be at the child’s chest, not their stomach. Remove blankets and jackets before clipping a child into a car seat to prevent space between the straps and child. This improves the safety and overall enjoyment of Alaska Summer Driving with kids

Children over 20 pounds and a year or more in age should use a five point harness. Keeping a child rear-facing is safer for their head, neck, and spine. However, once a child exceeds the maximum weight for a baby seat, the seat doesn’t protect the child against an impact to the same degree.

Children over four years old, less than 57 inches (4’9″) tall and under 65 pounds should be secured in a booster seat. Ensure the seatbelt crosses the child’s lap and rests along their shoulder, not their neck, chest, or stomach. A child may use a seat belt once over four years of age and exceeding the requirements of booster seats.

Enjoy Alaska Summer Driving With Kids

Alaska Summer Driving With Kids and car seat safety go hand-in-hand. Keep your children as safe as possible each time you drive with them in your vehicle. Make safe driving in Alaska during Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter weather a priority.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your Alaska accident injury case. We are here to serve you.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: Alaska Legislature

Image Source: Parent Hub

Alaska Summer Driving and Cell Phones

The use of cell phones while driving increases the chances of an accident. This is especially true when dealing with Alaska Summer Driving weather and lighting conditions which affect Alaskan roadways. It is essential for you and other drivers on the road not to be distracted by cellphone usage. Texting or reading text messages while driving is both extremely dangerous and a leading cause of accidents. 

Using GPS for Alaska Summer Driving

A common hazard that doesn’t occur to people is using a GPS. Many people believe GPS is an excellent convenience while operating a motor vehicle; however, it can be dangerous. Drivers need to be conscious of their actions and pull over when needed. Especially when setting the GPS or when trying to understand its directions while Alaska Summer Driving. One distraction is one too many. 

Beware of Animals Crossing Alaskan Roads

When operating a motor vehicle anytime, especially while Alaska Summer Driving, it is essential to be aware that animals sometimes find their way into the road. This means that it is crucial for drivers to always drive at safe speeds and keep their eyes on the road to have time to react appropriately if an incident like this were to occur. 

Weather Conditions

Weather conditions in Alaska can make operating a motor vehicle even more dangerous than in some other states. Some Alaska roads can be covered with ice – even in the summer. In addition, certain geographic conditions make roads even more dangerous. For example, the angle of the midnight sun in the summer affects visibility.  Below are four simple rules to increase Alaska Summer Driving safety:

1. Wear a seat belt
2. Reduce your speed
3. Stay focused
4. Service and maintain your vehicle and tires

Whether taking a road trip, driving to and from work, or enjoying summer activities in Alaska, Johnson Law wishes Alaskans a safe and happy summer.

Part One of a three-part Alaska Summer Safety series. See: Part Two – Alaska Summer Biking Safety; and Part Three – Alaska Summer Water Safety.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your Alaska accident injury case. We are here to serve you.

And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); Alaska Car Transport

Image Source: Alaska.org