Land tour car rental-type needed

[indiesmom]

We are planning a two week land tour starting Sept 1. I have reserved a full size rental car but DH thinks we need a SUV type vehicle. Of course, the SUV is considerable higher in price. We plan on making the rounds and visiting Anchorage, Homer, Seward, Whittier, Kenai Peninsula, Denali, Fairbanks, Valdez, etc. Any advice as to type of vehicle needed would be greatly appreciated!

[LA_FadeAway]

Those roads are all regular highways, so you'd probably only need an SUV if there is snow. You might look at the weather patterns at that type of year in those areas.

[PennyAgain]

There are SUV's and then there are off road vehicles. My vehicle of choice for Alaska is Subaru. All the places on your list are on highways, not Interstate highways, but highways never the less. How much luggage and how many people will you have? A sedan may be too small for all your luggage.

[frugaltravel]

I always book a compact car, even with 3 of us and tons of luggage and never have had a problem. Very well-maintained roads in Alaska. Sedan is fine. If you have a full-size sedan for just two of you, you have a lot of room in both the trunk and back seat for transporting your stuff.

[Glaciers]

Unlikely you’ll run into snow during that time frame. You will be driving many hundreds of miles with the communities you’ve mentioned. Anchorage to Valdez one way is 300 miles. I’d suggest getting something with good gas mileage although since you will be in your vehicle for many, many hours, a larger vehicle may be more comfortable. I wouldn’t suggest an SUV if it were simply due to weather conditions. Most of the roads are paved 2 lane highways. 55+mph

[Budget Queen]

I always get a cheap compact/economy car. :) It is totally regular pave roads. I suggest you get and review THE MILEPOST, so you understand time and distances needed.

 

Just a rough look at your list, you don't have time for it all. I suggest, you get the entire routing and itinerary with activities planned out before you start getting into reservations.

 

In your timeframe, route through Denali Park at the begining, the shuttle buses stop running by the 15th. And that is where there can be a lot of snow.

[msd360]

I second the Subie choice. Even if you get a SUV, you will likely be contractually restricted to paved roads.

[Gardyloo]

The only reason I'd get a SUV would be that you sit higher and have a better view of things, especially when you're in the elephant parade (RVs) on the Seward Highway or similar stretches.