Best Stops on a Scenic Drive From Anchorage to Seward

The drive from Anchorage to Seward is one of the most scenic Alaskan road trips you can take.

Yes, the Alaska Railroad is on lots of your bucket lists. If you drive yourself, though, you can stop wherever you like, especially when you come across wildlife along the way.

Now that we’ve been, we wouldn’t have done it any other way. We loved the flexibility of our trip and picking and choosing where we wanted to spend our time.

I’ve put together a detailed guide to everywhere we stopped with a few additional possibilities for those with more time.

Planning Your Drive From Anchorage to Seward

It takes about two-and-a-half hours to drive from Anchorage to Seward if you’re driving straight through. The driving distance from Anchorage to Seward is only about 125 miles.

That doesn’t seem like much, but there is a lot to see in that relatively short distance.

I’d recommend setting aside at least a full day if you’d like to fit in a hike or two and take your time at scenic view stops. If you’re returning to Anchorage from Seward, breaking up scenic stops over two days is even better.

If you have time on the return trip, feel free to play around with the order of your stops, especially if you’re dealing with limited daylight.

Is it easy to drive from Anchorage to Seward?

It is easy to drive from Anchorage to Seward when the weather is nice. For much of your drive, you’ll travel down Alaska Route 1 and the Alaska Seward Highway. 

Make sure to download any maps you may need before you leave Anchorage. You may get spotty service in some of the state parks along the way or along hiking trails.

The drive from Anchorage to Seward in the winter can look quite different vs. the summertime. You’re navigating major roads to get from one place to the next. Winter lends itself to experiences like dog sledding tours, too.

That said, you’d want to be well-equipped to drive with potential snow and ice. Be on the lookout for moose on the road no matter when you plan your Alaskan road trip.

Things to See Between Anchorage and Seward

The best stops on a trip to Seward from Anchorage are:

• Flattop Mountain
• McHugh Creek Recreation Area
• Beluga Point
• Windy Corner at Mile 106
• Bird Creek
• Girdwood Brewing Company
• Byron Glacier
• Portage Lake Overlook
• Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel
• Whittier
• Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Tern Lake
• Moose Pass
• Exit Glacier

The drive from Anchorage to Seward is very scenic. You’ll enjoy coastal views, breathtaking mountain scenery, glaciers, and the dramatic Turnagain Arm. It’s one of the best ways to experience the natural wonders of Alaska.

Let’s get into them all in detail, including tips from our Alaskan road trip.

Anchorage

Most people bounce out of Anchorage pretty quickly to make connections to places like Katmai National Park and Preserve or Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Maybe they’re on their way for Northern Lights viewing in Fairbanks.

Hear me out, though. The best drive from Anchorage to Seward includes time in Anchorage. Tack on a day or two on either end of your Alaska trip and you won’t regret it. 

I have a guide to the perfect day in Anchorage that you should check out in that case, but here are a few of my favorite activities in Anchorage:

• Downtown Anchorage: If you have limited time in Anchorage, stick to the city’s walkable downtown. Prioritize Resolution Park and the Captain Cook Monument for a possible view of Denali.
• Snow City Cafe: With limited time, grab some sticky buns or cinnamon rolls from this yummy breakfast spot. It’s a favorite of President Obama.
• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Choose a piece of the 11-mile trail that’s easiest for you to access, or bike the full trail if you have the wheels. Our favorite part was the branch that connected to the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge.

READ MORE: Planning a trip to Denali National Park while you’re here? Check out my Denali itinerary.

Flattop Mountain

Tackle one of the most climbed mountains in Alaska at this scramble in Chugach State Park.

It was much too muddy for us to do it safely, as it involved 1,300 feet of elevation gain in fairly wet conditions. If you’re luckier with the weather than we were, wear shoes with good traction anyway.

The last bit of the three-mile trail can get slick in the morning dew and after a good rain.

The trail starts at the Glen Alps Trailhead about half an hour from downtown Anchorage. AllTrails labels this one as “hard,” and I’ve found they’re usually pretty good with their ratings.

As you ascend, you’ll hike through forests, alpine tundra, and some rocky terrain. At the top, you’re rewarded with views of the Anchorage skyline, Cook Inlet, and distant peaks, including Denali on clear days.

McHugh Creek Recreation Area

We planned to tick off the McHugh Creek Trailhead on our return trip back to Anchorage, but it was closed for construction by then.

Assuming the same doesn’t happen to you, I’d recommend pulling over even if you don’t hike.

There’s a pull-off here with a lovely 20-foot waterfall to kick off your trip. You’ll need to pay a $5 day use fee to park in the lot no matter how long you’re here. Expect to spend about a half hour checking out the falls if that’s all you’re after.

With more time, there is a 2.4-mile trail that starts here with nice views of the water. This one is a moderate trail thanks to over 900 feet of elevation gain over a shorter distance.

Beluga Point

You’ll enter one of the most beautiful stretches of scenery from here as you travel Turnagain Arm, a narrow branch off the Cook Inlet.

The name for these dramatic landscapes was coined by Captain James Cook in the 1770s. He was forced to “turn again” when the inlet proved to be a dead end in his search for the Northwest Passage.

Stop whenever you like, but the Beluga Point lookout is a must. 

This is a quick photo stop with some whale-watching potential if you’re lucky. Beluga whales like to hang out here from mid-July through August as they pass through the inlet. We didn’t see any on our own trip, but it was still a lovely stop. 

It’s also a great spot to watch the bore tide, a rush of water with waves up to 10 feet high. Just don’t do something silly like cross the railroad tracks for better views on the other side.

It’s not worth it, and, more importantly, not allowed. 

You also don’t want to get stuck in the mudflats here. These aren’t the salt flats. Stick to the Anchorage roads that you’re used to or risk getting stuck out there and losing your pants.

It’s a thing that happens, apparently.

Windy Corner at Mile 106

This is apparently THE spot along the Seward Highway to get a good look at some Dall sheep. We weren’t that lucky, but lingering here may be a good idea if you haven’t seen them elsewhere.

Dall sheep are a species of wild sheep known for their bright white coats. They love mountainous regions of Alaska where rocky outcrops provide some protection from predators.

We’ve only been able to see them as little dots on the landscape on our trip to Denali.

On your drive, watch for a pullout on the right side just before Mile 106. Be extra cautious if you’re a solo traveler. There have been cases here where people do stupid things like dart across traffic or slam on their brakes to get a photo of the sheep.

Bird Creek

Enjoy great mountain views and watch folks try their luck at fishing in these waters at Bird Creek.

Fun fact: If you’re here between July and Sep­tem­ber, they’re likely trying to catch some salmon.

There are a few trails that branch off from here, but they’re not super well-marked. The Blue Ridge Trail is the most popular but it’s aggressive.

You’ll climb about 3,200 feet of elevation across 4.4 miles of alpine fields and what I imagine are some incredible mountain views. We didn’t have the energy, but it looks like it might be worth the effort.

Girdwood Brewing Company

You’ve earned some beers here whether you’ve done any hiking or not. Girdwood is a great stop to make that happen. 

Girdwood Brewing Company is well-situated with a backdrop of the Alyeska Resort. You won’t be skiing if you’re here in the summer as we were, but you will enjoy great beers and an on-site food truck if you’re hungry.

We were working with some time constraints, but there’s quite a bit to do with more time in Girdwood.

You can ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska at 2,300 feet or check out a section of the Iditarod National Historic Trail at Glacier Creek.

For a scenic hiking opportunity here, lace up your boots for the Winner Creek Trail, a three-mile jaunt through an American rainforest.

At the time of this guide, the hand tram that used to provide access over Glacier Creek at the end is no longer in operation, but there may be a fix coming for this at some point.

Byron Glacier 

If I can hike 2.3 miles in the rain to check out a big ol’ glacier, so can you.

The hike itself is pretty easy. It’s just over a mile to the glacier’s tip (or tongue?), so if you arrive on a sunny day, it’s all quite nice. 

That said, the rain just made it all more atmospheric. If it’s drizzling when you get there, I’d recommend hitting the trail anyway. Just be careful. It can get slippery out there, especially as you get closer to the glacier. 

Note: You can touch the glacier if you’d like. We saw some travelers crossing the rapids to get to the other side, but I wouldn’t recommend this without the appropriate gear, as they did have to get ankle-deep in icy water. I’m not against water crossings if it’s a sanctioned activity.

Portage Lake Overlook

It was way too overcast for us to see anything resembling Portage Glacier from this vantage point on our drive, but it sure looks spectacular from the photos I’ve seen.

Access this one from Portage Glacier Road on your drive to Seward or back to Anchorage. 

If you’re lingering in Chugach National Forest, pop by the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center nearby.

On top of exhibits about the glaciers in the region, this is where you can learn about booking cruises and boat tours to Portage Glacier.

Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel

While the drive is only about 10 minutes, budget at least half an hour to drive through North America’s longest tunnel.

The one-way tunnel stretches 2.5 miles through Maynard Mountain, but ignore that fun fact if you’re of the claustrophobic sort.

You may have some wait time on either side as this is one-way traffic shared with regional trains. You’ll see the tracks running down the middle of the tunnel.

Check online schedules if you’re pressed for time.

You’ll get dropped off in charming Whittier on the other side, another opportunity to relax and linger if you don’t mind adding to your Anchorage to Seward drive time.

Whittier

We arrived at Whittier on the other side of the tunnel in such crappy weather that we didn’t hang around too long.

It definitely looked like a cute place to explore for a bit and as a great base for adventures along Prince William Sound. Kayaking, fishing, and scenic cruises to see glaciers, waterfalls, and marine life are all popular excursions from Whittier.

For history buffs, the Prince Wiliam Sound Museum is an intriguing stop for WWII history. The U.S. Army chose Whittier for the transport of food and supplies during the war effort just in case the port in Seward was affected somehow.

Note: The tunnel you just read about was essential to that plan.

It would take some time for Whittier to turn into a destination for cruise enthusiasts. During the Cold War, additional structures were put up by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to house soldiers stationed there just in case Alaska was to be attacked.

Whittier pursuits today are much more leisurely.

If you want to stretch your legs, the two-mile Horsetail Falls Trail is just south of town. You’ll climb a little over 500 feet of elevation on this one to a platform with views of the waterfall.

Keep timing in mind if you want to hang around Whittier. On sunny days, I could see how you’d want to spend some more time here, but departures going the opposite direction only happen hourly.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is home to injured or orphaned animals who wouldn’t otherwise make it in the Alaskan wilderness.

On our visit, we met bald eagles with one wing and black bears that were rescued out of septic tanks. While we got lucky with wildlife spotting in Denali National Park, one of the best national parks for wildlife, it was fun to learn more about the animals here. 

READ MORE: Denali is scenic drive from Anchorage. Learn more about how to make it happen!

You can walk or drive the 1.5-mile loop. I recommend walking if you’re able. You’ll be getting in and out of your car anyway for better views of the animals and access to their bear boardwalk, a viewing platform for the park’s brown bears.

The highlights for us were the howling coyotes and the playful wolf pack. I have never seen wolves this close before, or so many porcupines in one place for that matter.

Tern Lake

This is a quick stopover for a lovely lake view.

We didn’t see much in the way of wildlife, but Tern Lake is a popular spot for bald eagles, arctic terns, and a variety of other shorebirds. Beavers, river otters, and muskrats also happen to like this lake.

I’ve seen quite a few photos of the reflective qualities of the lake, but we must not have had the right conditions for it during our trip. In any case, a bit of tranquility was nice, and we had the place to ourselves.

Moose Pass

You’ll be near Moose Pass from here. Moose Pass is a town on Upper Trail Lake known for recreation thanks to the fact that it’s surrounded by the Chugach National Forest.

It’s best explored if you have time to hit some more aggressive trails here. 

The 23-mile Johnson Pass Trail is a popular trek, but again, that’s 23 miles we’re talking about. The Carter Lake Trail, Lost Lake Trail, and Ptarmigan Creek Trail are all scenic options if you’re looking for more athletic Seward Highway stops.

Moose Pass is also home to the start of the Iditarod trail. We didn’t see much in the way of fanfare about this fact, but again, it’s best as a base for adventure.

Exit Glacier

This easily accessible glacier within Kenai Fjords National Park is reached via Exit Glacier Road and an easy 2.2-mile loop.

Fun fact: Stand at the end of the trail long enough to hear an ice fall. It sounded like a dynamite explosion in the distance.

This was one of the most moving experiences we had near the Kenai Peninsula.

As you walk the trail to the overlook, you’ll pass by posted signage to show how far the glacier has retreated over the years. Climate change has dramatically accelerated the glacier’s fate in recent years.

The Exit Glacier Nature Center is a great stop to learn more about climate change and its effects on the park. You can talk more about it with the knowledgeable guides inside.

You can also access the Harding Icefield from here. That trail is 8.6 miles long with nearly 3,200 of elevation gain.

That’s not just something you decide to do on the day of your visit to the glaciers here, so plan ahead if this sounds like something you’d like to do.

Seward

Seward is your last stop. We had a few days for a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise and some general tourism in town and had a lovely time. 

Is it worth going to Seward? Seward is worth visiting if you’re here for more than the town. Kenai Fjords is certainly worth the visit, especially as the world’s glaciers continue retreating.

Seward itself felt like a place that caters to summer tourism, so expect things to feel more expensive here, even by Alaska standards.

Here are a few options for your time in Seward:

• Alaska SeaLife Center: This aquarium and marine mammal rehabilitation facility is a great place to get acquainted with what you may see out on the water in Seward. The adorable puffins are worth a visit alone.
• The Cookery: Many folks consider The Cookery the best eatery in Seward. It was definitely delicious, but expect a super long wait if you don’t roll in with a reservation. Try the halibut carnitas if they’re available on your visit.
• Seward Brewing Company: We waited out about an hour of our wait time at The Cookery at this brewery. I had a smoky cider that was really good and was tempted by the food that kept coming out if we’re being honest.

Once you’re done with Seward and the national park, you’ll likely have to drive from Seward to Anchorage for any return flights.

Return the same way you came or add side trips to the incredible Matanuska Glacier, Cooper Landing, or stops north of Anchorage like the Eagle River Nature Center.

Kenai Fjords is also a connection point to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, but you’ll need to arrange things like air taxis services for that.

The best way to see Alaska is on a road trip.

While Alaskan rail trips can be quite scenic, self-drive options allow you to plan stops based on your interests, even incorporating hiking trails along the way.

The drive from Anchorage to Seward is one of the most scenic drives you can take in the state of Alaska. It boasts numerous opportunities for scenic pullouts, hiking trails, and unplanned wildlife spotting.

I’d love to come back to tackle some of the longer trails, especially while the glaciers are still visible. Unfortunately, time is ticking on some of our most impressive natural treasures.

Planning more U.S. road trips? Check out these guides:

• Plan a Drive From San Francisco to Los Angeles
• Plan the Best Oregon Road Trip
• A Utah Road Trip Through Five Top Parks
• The Best Fall Foliage on a New England Road Trip
• Where to Stop on Trips Through the American South

See more of the country’s best national parks:

• A Guide to the Best of Glacier National Park
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park Is Underrated
• Explore the Best Trails at Utah’s Arches
• Grand Teton: The Only Guide You Need!
• Reasons Why Petrified Forest Is Awesome

Want to see more?