At the moment this is very theoretical,but @acg and an another member of the Roverlanders of BC have expressed an interest in this trip. So I figure why not make a plan and see what kind of time and cost would be involved.

I will update this as my plan continues, but I am thinking 25 days in the end.

A few basics:

Total distance 7821 Km or about 4860 miles round trip
Estimated fuel cost for a Disco V8 $3030.00 based on fuel running $1.55 /liter and an average range of 400 KM. Far better to guess high on this one.
Number of days on the road 20 - based on 7 hour driving days averaging 70 Kph. That factors in gas, bio, and fuel breaks and 2 days cushion - stuff happens
Sat phone rental 300.00 for 30 days this would be split between the trucks

Vehicle load:

Dry food for the trip everything gets brutally expensive the further north you go
Discos 40 liter to 60 liters of spare fuel on board
2 full sized spares - ideally mounted
Some basic spares: belt, rad hoses,fuses,coil packs
Tools - basic tool roll to deal with small repairs
Other - Duct tape, Seals All, self tapping screws, some sheet aluminum and sheers.
Fluids - oil, AF, I need transfer case gear oil I have a leak and might have to top up.
Bear spray is a must
Bug spray is a must
Lots of fresh water - I carry 5 gals
Clothes for 3 weeks - covering both warm and cold

The route Blue up/Gray back driving times are hilarious to me, having driven a lot of the southern portion.

google maps route

 

Thumbs Up!

The gas sold in the upper half of the BC interior and Yukon is standard grade. You will need to stock up on octane booster.

I have an InReach instead of a SAT phone. Unlimited emails and tracking for around $70 a month. One InReach account can be shared to send tracking status to other email accounts.

My route suggestion is to go via from Kitwanga along the Stewart-Cassiar Hwy to Whitehorse and then the Dempster Hwy to Tuk.

On the return leg, go back to Whitehorse, then travel along the AlCan (Alaska-Canada) Hwy via Watson Lake, Liard Hot Springs, Dawson Creek. There is alot of WW2 history along the AlCan.

 

That looks like an interesting drive Andrew,and it adds very little time to the trip option added to the route planning

 

Basic day to to up done, this is not a hard push and will take about 7-8 days

Note there is not a lot of Tourist time indicated depending on the group that may add a several days to the trip. That will be decided among the group if this ends up being a go. The return will be much slower.

Day 1 - 2 possible routes up the Fraser Canyon - faster or up the Sea to Sky Highway more scenic, but greater chance of getting caught behind slow movers.
Camping off one of the forest service roads



Day 2 Quesnel to Kitwanga area

Camping at Kitwancool Lake not many spots but this likely going to be a small group



Day 3 Kitiwanga to Dease Lake

Camping along Dease Lake



Day 4 Dease Lake to Whitehorse - this might be a hotel night get a shower and cleaned up - otherwise camping.



Day 5 Whitehorse to Dawson city then on to the Dempster this is a longer day about 8.5 hours this also an optional stay over point adding a day
Camping at Chapman Lake



Day 6 Another longer day Chapman Lake to Ft. Macpherson 8.5 hours we can stop along the way if required



Day 7 Ft Macpherson to Tuk. A couple of things on this stretch there is a ferry that can delay you for hours or days. Rain also dramatically slows you down.

So Inuvik is the the mid point stop if required.

 

Looks like quite the journey! Very jealous to have the time and the quicker access to the route. Few friends and I have been talking about an Alaska trip for a little while now but the time to drive even to where you are starting from makes it even harder.

 

@whowa004 Time is the killer for trip like this, if I was not newly unemployed it would be very iffy. I was scheduled for a trip north last year my employer would not give me the time off, with 4 months notice. My wife is ok with it as long as there is at least one other truck,something about my age and her nerves

Currently working the return trip, there are a few things to consider, for both ways really but more so on the return. I do not think this should be a "power" drive, just get from Vancouver to Tuk and back as fast as possible, you need tourist time.
That means stopping:

• At odd little stores and sites along the way
• To take pictures and enjoy the scenery where opportunities present
• Place like Dawson city or other tourist type spots
• Or just staying over someplace to rest and regroup

You need to have a plan, but it needs to be flexible with in reason. Ideally I prefer making the the longer stops on the way home it slows the rush to get home and you are closer each day, giving more opportunity take your time.

Just some general notes for those planning long trips

• Put the slowest guy in the lead always
• Front and rear truck need reliable communications
• Bunch up before making exits off freeways
• Stop every 1.5 to 2 hours for 10 minutes everyone gets out and walks around - not as critical on day one much more so a day 4+
• Keep gas stops as short as possible - it is often out of your control but try
• Try to plan lunch around gas stops
• Bio breaks happen, whether the group stops or just one guy depends on the road conditions if they can catch up easy, the one truck is good if not everyone stops

Vehicles

• I know this sounds obvious but in good running shape, stuff might happen but it should not be expected
• A good radio - Canada we are largely VHF
• A good spare
• Basic spare parts belts, hoses sort of thing
• AAA or similar
• General Maps and route maps for each truck if possible
• Cash on hand some remote areas only deal in cash.

Daily vehicle check 10 -15 minutes

• Check your oil and AF level every gas stop, at night after dinner and 1st thing in the AM
• Check your belts and battery connections
• Do a walk around after dinner check lights, take look underneath, check your wipers
• Check your tires, tire pressure and wheel nuts
• Clean your windows inside and out, light as well if required

 

All excellent tips. I've done an extensive amount of extended backpacking and canoeing trips so the basics carry over just as I had hoped. My group consists of some serious photo/video guys/gals (I'm guilty as one) so time management is our biggest downfall when we go wheeling in Moab. I've got a rough itinerary of a week long north rim of the Grand Canyon trip penciled in for this fall which will be most of our first extended "overlanding" type trip. My wife and I have a good little set up for the 2-3 day trips but I'm working on designing/building better rear storage so I can better utilize all the vertical space in the D2. 3 dogs makes it hard to get too creative but I think a fridge/freezer would be a huge upgrade over our usual cooler and ice. I'm working through the logistics of swapping an LS and a 6spd auto into my disco which should significantly help with the long road stretches and mountains here....it's a big project but wiring seems to be the biggest hurdle and I don't mind that.

 

@whowa004 Me too I always look at the journey rather than the destination, at least when I travel solo. I often never get to where I am going, pictures,fishing, or just lazy days it is the joy of the trip that matters.

 

Well that went from theoretical fast Posted on my club forum and have 3 trucks and a one fellow looking to co-drive in about 3 hours.

I am looking at leaving 15 August returning no later than 6 Sept that works out to 23 days that should be a good amount of time so we do not have to rush. My current estimates are about 19 days round trip that gives us 4 days of wiggle room if looks to be too tight I may have to add a day on either end.

I am planning for a 1 day layover on the way back in the Dawson City area, this will be for a good day of vehicle maintenance and touristing around Dawson City after running the Dempster both ways. Just to check everything is tight and solid on everyone trucks and address any issues that may of come up.

I will monitor access etc in light of current events, this is currently not a Roverlander of BC club event.

 

Just an update the Covid-19 has this on hold at least for now,I have the return planed - but things are pretty up in the air.