Truly a hidden gem, the Tok Cut-Off Road takes you through one of the most magnificent parts of Alaska. As you drive this remote road through the majestic mountains, a herd of caribou may cross your path or an arctic fox may appear on the hillside. This rural highway is definitely the road less traveled, but this absolutely stunning part of Alaska should not be overlooked by anyone, traveler or local. Cruise the Tok Cut-Off Road for an Alaskan experience filled with wildlife and breathtaking views.
Alaska Highway Route 1 (AK-1) runs from Homer on the Kenai Peninsula diagonally across Alaska to Tok, near the eastern border with Canada. The Tok Cut-Off Road is the last section from Gakona Junction on the Richardson Highway to Tok.
The highway runs 125 miles, is paved and open year-round and provides easy access from Tok to Anchorage. Before this highway, a traveler driving to Alaska through Canada had to detour through Delta Junction to get to Anchorage.
The skies are huge in this part of Alaska, far from everything and immersed in nature. For miles and miles you will see the sky, the mountains and the trees, but little else in the way of man-made structures.
Take your time on this remote road to avoid any accidents as the harsh Alaskan winters take a toll on the pavement. Check the road report before embarking on the journey to prepare for road construction or other impediments.
This is a great road to drive in the fall and the spring, not just for the colorful wildflowers or turning leaves, but for the migrating caribou you may come face to face with.