The Klondike Highway

This 98-mile road from Skagway [1] to the Alaska Highway 21 miles south of Whitehorse [2] closely follows the White Pass & Yukon Route rail line built at the turn of the 20th century. The 65-mile stretch north to Carcross [3] was opened in 1981, completing the route started by the U.S. Army in 1942 from the Alaska Highway south to Carcross.

The road ascends quickly from sea level at Skagway to White Pass at 3,290 feet in 14 miles. Many turnouts provide views across the canyon of the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Route [4] track, waterfalls, gorges, and long drop-offs—if you’re lucky and the weather cooperates.

At the summit, Canadian Customs welcomes you to British Columbia [5] and is open 24 hours a day in the summer, 8 a.m.–midnight in other seasons; set your watch ahead an hour to Pacific time on the Canadian side. U.S. Customs is open 24 hours a day year-round.