Alaska is a relatively young state. Far before we even became a state, gold miners flocked to Alaska to explore the “Last Frontier.” What started as a pack trail, the Richardson Highway in Alaska, is now one of the most scenic routes in the entire state. This road routinely gets added to many people’s bucket lists, and it’s no surprise why!

The Richardson Highway started out as a pack trail in Valdez, Alaska.
lwtt93 / Flickr
It ran from Valdez to Eagle, at a distance of around 408 miles. This pack trail was built in 1898 by the US Army, as an "All American Route" to the Klondike Gold Fields, instead of the many trails through Canada.
To this day, you can still find the original trail that cuts through Keystone Canyon outside of Valdez.
Abhijit Kamerkar / Flickr
The trail parallels the paved Richardson Highway, until ascending up through the mountains into Thompson Pass. Even after the gold rush ended, the Army kept the trail open for easy access from Fort Liscum in Valdez, to Fort Egbert in Eagle.
If you visit Keystone Canyon, don’t forget to check out the famous waterfalls right alongside the road.
Megan McDonald / Only In Your State Author
It was one of my favorite stops, and the views are just breathtaking.
The pack trail originally ended in Eagle, Alaska.
Alaska Center For Energy and Power / Flickr
As Eagle is right on the border of Canada, the trail was a perfect way in for many miners going after the Klondike Gold Rush. The United States Army camp, Fort Egbert, was built at Eagle in 1900. A telegraph line was also completed between Valdez and Eagle in 1903.
When the 1902 gold rush hit Fairbanks and Nome, many people were lured away from Eagle.
Fairbanks Mike / Flickr
In 1903 Judge James Wickersham moved the Third District Court to Fairbanks. Due to that and the significance of the strung telegraph, the trail was was considered one of the most important access routes to interior Alaska, and so the Alaska Road Commission upgraded it to a wagon road.

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U.S. Army General Wilds P. Richardson headed up the highway project.
Ronald Woan / Flickr
In honor of his work, the highway was later named for him. The government ended up hiring many of the failed gold prospectors to build the highway, and many of the Roadhouses that were built along the road ended up being on the National Register of Historic Places.
The first car that traveled the road from Valdez to Eagle drove it in 1913.
Richardson Highway / Wikipedia
The entire road was finally upgraded to automotive standards in the early 1920's. In 1933 The Alaska Road Commission ended up collecting tolls for commercial vehicles, sometimes up to $175 per trip, to help fund the maintenance of the road.
Many will ask, “Can you drive the Richardson Highway?” And I say yes! Not only can you drive it, but you should. I take the trip at least once a year.
Megan McDonald / Only In Your State Author
The views along the Richardson Highway are just spectacular.
Megan McDonald / Only In Your State Author
Even under the midnight sun, sights like Worthington Glacier are a must-see. I always pull off to enjoy the view when I drive the highway.
There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy yourself if you drive the Richardson Highway.
Megan McDonald / Only In Your State Author
These pictures of the Richardson Highway show a diverse landscape, where you can do everything from gaze at mountains and waterfalls, drive up high mountain passes, and even watch the fish run in streams right off the side of the road. If you see a pull-out with something interesting, don’t hesitate to stop! I love soaking everything in.
With the opening of the southern part of the highway in the 1950's year-round, the road was paved in 1957.
Mr. Hicks46 / Flickr
Nowadays, the Richardson Highway is absent of any tolls, and is a dream of a road trip. The views of the multitude of mountain ranges, culminating in the sight of Worthington Glacier right before Thompson Pass, stun the visitors of this highway each year. Recognized as the first major road in Alaska, the Richardson Highway is now a glorious 368 miles from Valdez, to Fairbanks.

Have you traveled the Richardson Highway in Alaska? What was your favorite part of the road? Tell us in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out our favorite road trip snacks for your next adventure around Alaska.

Are you looking for a great place to sleep or eat while traveling down the Richardson Highway? Check out this Gorgeous Wilderness Lodge In Alaska Where The Buffalo Roam!

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More to Explore

Richardson Highway in Alaska

Megan McDonald | March 08, 2024

Is the Richardson Highway in Alaska paved?

Yes, the Richardson Highway in Alaska is paved. This highway, which connects Valdez to Fairbanks, is one of the major roads in Alaska and is fully paved, allowing for comfortable travel through some of the state's most scenic landscapes. 

It stretches over 360 miles, passing through various terrains, including mountain passes and alongside rivers, and is maintained by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.

What is special about the Richardson Highway?

The Richardson Highway in Alaska holds a special place for several reasons, making it a notable and historic route:

  • Historical Significance: It is Alaska's first major highway and one of the oldest. Originally a pack trail in the late 19th century, it was upgraded to a wagon road in 1910 and later to a full highway. It played a crucial role in early Alaskan development, especially during the gold rush era and the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
  • Scenic Beauty: The highway offers some of the most stunning landscapes in Alaska, including views of the Chugach Mountains, the Alaska Range, and numerous glaciers, such as the Worthington Glacier. It traverses through Thompson Pass, known for receiving some of the heaviest snowfall in Alaska, providing breathtaking winter scenes.
  • Access to Adventure: It serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures, offering access to hiking trails, fishing spots, camping areas, and winter sports locations. It also leads to the Valdez, a hub for commercial and sport fishing and kayaking, and the terminus for the Alaska Marine Highway System, connecting various parts of coastal Alaska.
  • Engineering Marvels: Along its route, the highway showcases engineering feats, including the Keystone Canyon, where the road winds through narrow passages flanked by towering waterfalls like Bridal Veil and Horsetail Falls. The construction of the highway itself, through rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions, stands as a testament to human perseverance and ingenuity.
  • Cultural and Historical Sites: The highway passes through areas rich in cultural and historical significance, offering insights into Native Alaskan cultures and the history of settlers and gold miners. Points of interest include the old Valdez town site, affected by the 1964 Alaska earthquake, and the Rika's Roadhouse at Big Delta State Historical Park, a well-preserved roadhouse that served travelers during the early 20th century.

The Richardson Highway encapsulates the spirit of Alaska by combining natural beauty, history, and adventure, making it a special and memorable route for travelers.

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Featured Addresses
Richardson Highway, Richardson Hwy, Valdez, AK, USA