Loads to Alaska – Wow, they are paying $6k to $30k for loads to Alaska! How hard can it be? We have seen so many posts over the years. Drivers asking, “What does it take? Is it worth it?” I had one of our members write up his journey and conclusion.
Some things he left out are insurance, will your policy cover you? What if you break down? Who is going to save your equipment or your life? Remember that there are only two months of summer, April and May, and it has been known to snow even then. Also, Alaskan winter is unreal cold and ice – Winter temperatures in Alaska range from 0°F / -18°C to -30°F / -35°C from November to March.
Now, I will leave you to Steven Ozgpwicz story, but one final caveat… If it was easy – Everyone would be doing it!
My name is Steve. I own Ozzieco trucking out of Jacksonville Florida. I was asked to do a quick blog about my experiences running a load out of the lower United States to Alaska through Canada. Whether it’s worth it, is it too much of a hassle and what would be involved if you decided that you wanted to try it.
The first piece of advice I would give anyone that has decided to do a run loads to Alaska is make sure you’re dealing with a “customs broker.” Your standard every day broker has no idea what he’s doing when it comes to running through Canada into Alaska! You’ll save yourself a lot of hassle by making sure that you are using a customs broker.
If the broker that got you the load is not a customs broker, they can work in conjunction with one to make the paperwork much easier. When you go to cross the border into Canada, obviously you are going to need your passport. You will also need the BOL for the load and you will also need proof of bond. This is a requirement by Canada to prove the load has been paid for and that you are not going to run it into Canada and sell it before you get to Alaska. It should be paid by the broker.
The first piece of advice I would give anyone that has decided to do a run loads to Alaska is make sure you’re dealing with a “customs broker.”
No matter where you cross into Canada there is only one road called the Alaska highway that goes from British Columbia and Yukon border. This road is absolutely terrible! There is also a small fee I believe around $60 or $70 when you cross into the Yukon that you have to pay. From this point, you still have about 1,000 miles to Alaska and like I said the road is not good. Parts have been washed out and re-done with stone. Most of it is full of potholes. It is a one lane road each direction for most of the way, but this will not be your biggest problem.
Your biggest problem from this point on is going to be fuel. Depending on the type of truck and size of your fuel tank… fuel becomes a definite problem from this point. I had a normal pick up with a 35 gallon tank and I carried two 10 gallon cans of fuel in the bed just for safety. I was able to stop at mom and pop gas stations all the way up and stay full but it was a fight. The upside of this part of the drive is once you get into the Yukon. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. The wildlife is beautiful, but it’s hard to get past all the problems.
Your next problem is when you cross into Alaska. They are not part of LFTA, they will require you to register your truck and trailer in Alaska. Now, if you wait to do it until you get there, it will cost you $500. I believe you can do it online for much much cheaper.
In conclusion on loads to Alaska, do not plan on running for 500 or 600 miles a day. You will not do it. This trip will take you a minimum of two days longer than any trip of the same mileage in the lower United States. I personally will not do it again! It was not worth the money, the time or the wear and tear on my vehicle and my trailer. Would I go up there as a vacation? Absolutely!
For those of you that are thinking about doing a trip like this, I hope this article helps you to decide whether it’s something that you want to take on and if you do, please be safe. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful country.
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