The Great Alaska Rental Run

An Alaska road trip, in miniature

Most Alaska road trips start in Anchorage, and almost all of them turn on the same few questions: how far can you drive in a day, what will it cost, and what do you want to see? In this game you make those calls in a couple of minutes. Pick a campervan or a Class C RV, pack a few extras, and choose where to go next.

Each stop has its own personality. Talkeetna is a small town just off the Parks Highway, with mountain views when the clouds cooperate. The Denali area is wide-open country around Denali National Park. Seward is a harbor town and the gateway to Kenai Fjords glacier and wildlife cruises. Homer sits where the road runs out on the Homer Spit, out into Kachemak Bay.

Along the way you'll juggle fuel, energy, daylight and budget. You might see a moose, get caught in a drizzle, find a great cinnamon roll, or discover you left the camp chairs behind. At the end you get a traveler type — Midnight Sun Road Warrior, Glacier Chaser, Denali Dreamer, Moose Magnet and more — and a shareable result card.

How the game works

• Choose a rig. Campervans use less fuel and cost less to park. RVs give you more comfort and more fuel bills.
• Pack up to three extras. Gear can make a surprise better, or a bad moment less bad.
• Pick your route. Longer legs take more days, fuel and energy. Every day counts.
• Decide at each stop. Do something, sleep somewhere, and see what the day throws at you.
• Get your result. Save your card as an image, or share it if your device supports sharing.

Just a game

The Great Alaska Rental Run is entertainment. Its miles, dollars, weather and events are simplified and made up — they aren't real distances, prices, conditions or advice, and they aren't current. It isn't a navigation, weather, road-condition or safety tool. It runs entirely in your browser, needs no account or email, and doesn't send your choices anywhere. There are no ads and no links to buy anything.

Planning a real Alaska road trip?

For the real thing, check current conditions and rules with the official sources:

• Alaska 511 for road conditions, construction and closures (Alaska DOT&PF)
• Denali National Park and Preserve for park road access and reservations (National Park Service)
• Traveling in bear country for wildlife safety (Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

And our own guides go deeper on the route and the rental questions: the Alaska RV rental guide, Anchorage to Denali, Anchorage to Seward and Anchorage to Homer.