The Alaska Highway, 1943

Technically, the Alaska highway is known as the Alcan project - a coined word and an ugly one. Few like it. To the tough men who built it, the highway is known simply as The Road. (Don Menzies, The Alaska Highway (Edmonton: Stewart Douglas, 1943))

The Alaska Highway is a route full of history and controversy. It was initially constructed during World War II and connects the 48 contiguous States of the US to Alaska through Canada. Work on the highway was completed in 1942; at the time it was 2,237 km long, but it is becoming increasingly shorter because of rerouting.

Although it is not official, the Alaska Highway is considered to be part of the Pan-American Highway, which goes all the way south to Argentina. For many of us it is strange to think that you would be able to drive all of that distance as normally we would look for cheap airline tickets if we were to cover that distance. But it is possible and for those looking for the road trip to end all road trips this is for you, as it offers a chance to see the US, Canada and Alaska.

The map below was printed by the Alberta Travel Bureau in 1943.

Map of the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek, B.C. to Fairbanks, Alaska, 1943

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