Car rental in USA Alaska

Tips for scoring a cheap car to rent in Alaska

Do you need a cheap car rental in Alaska? With Economybookings, you can easily compare multiple providers to find the best possible deal, no matter what you plan to do in The Last Frontier. No matter if you’re planning a trip to see North America’s tallest mountain, explore the United States’ end of the Arctic Circle, or chart a new course along the state’s ruggedly beautiful fjords, a quick comparison can save you time and money.

• Compare pickup locations – Select the broader city instead of a specific location to unlock more deal options, including off-airport savings.
• Slightly adjust pickup times and dates – Even changing your booking by an hour can reveal lower rates.
• Choose the right car for your needs – For more rugged excursions into the mountains, deserts, and rural coastal areas, a sportier four-wheel drive vehicle can help navigate through rougher terrain. But if you mostly plan on exploring cities like Portland and Eugene, a compact car can help you save time on finding parking and money on fuel costs.
• Book early – Typically, summer season (May-September) is Alaska’s busiest, thanks to the warm weather, the “Midnight Sun,” and the full parade of cruise ships at sea. But whenever you’re planning your Alaska trip, it’s a good idea to reserve in advance to secure better rates and availability.

Tips when renting a car in Alaska

• Rent a car if you plan to go beyond the cities to reach smaller towns and more remote areas, as mass transit options are very limited outside the Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau metro regions.
• Avoid rush hour traffic on the Glenn Highway, as it’s the one major road connecting Anchorage to suburbs in the Chugiak-Eagle River and Mat-Su regions.
• Picking up your rental car at airports like Anchorage (ANC), Fairbanks (FAI), and Juneau (JNU) provides the best vehicle selection and access to major roads.
• Choose a mid-size or compact car for easier parking at attractions, resorts, and towns, and to maximize fuel efficiency for day trips.
• Alaska currently has no emission zones or congestion pricing programs, and only the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel on the Portage Glacier Highway charges tolls.
• Always inspect the car and take photos before and after your rental.

Driving tips in Alaska

• Drive on the right and overtake on the left.
• Headlights flash as a polite signal (e.g., to let you pass), not as aggression.
• On freeways faster drivers tend to drive in the left lanes, while the right lanes move more slowly.
• Use parking apps like ParkMobile or SpotHero to find and pay for metered spots in popular areas.
• Note parking signage: Many street parking spots in downtown areas have time limits during the day, and some residential areas restrict street parking to permit holders.
• Popular gas stations: Crowley, Shell, Chevron, and Tesoro.
• Keep your license, rental papers, and insurance with you at all times. (Due to ongoing US federal immigration raids, you may also want to keep your passport or proof of valid passport within easy reach.)
• The Glenn Highway connects Anchorage to its suburbs and most of the rest of the state, so it may experience traffic on weekends and during major holidays.

Speed limits

In Alaska, most major highways operate with a 65 mph (105 km/h) speed limit, including the Parks Highway between Fairbanks and Willow, the Richardson Highway between Valdez and North Pole, the Alaska Highway between the US-Canada border and Delta Junction, and the Glenn and Seward Highways in Anchorage.

However, other highways may have lower posted speed limits of 60 mph (97 km/h), 55 mph (89 km/h), or 50 mph (80 km/h). And for other roads, expect speed limits of 25 mph (40 km/h) in residential districts, and 20 mph (32 km/h) in business districts and on smaller alleys. Always watch for posted signs, as limits can vary.

Road signs

US road signs tend to follow international standards and are usually clear and well-placed. They’re primarily in English and use symbols for quick understanding. Speed limit signs are in miles per hour (mph). In Alaska, look out for signs marking one-way only streets, bus-only lanes, shared bike lines, and designated school lanes, which may have time-based restrictions and speed limits.

Toll roads and fees

As of 2026, Alaska only has one toll road: the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel that carries the Portage Glacier Highway under Maynard Mountain, about 56 miles southeast of Anchorage. Drivers can expect to pay a toll of $11-$38 (depending on vehicle size), and the toll covers a full round-trip journey to and from Whittier.

If you plan to drive to any of Alaska’s state and national parks and public lands, note that many of these parks charge vehicle entry fees. For instance, Denali National Park charges $15 for a standard pass and a heightened surcharge for international visitors. (If you’re an international visitor who plans to visit multiple national parks, it might be worth paying $250 for the full annual pass.) At Alaska State Parks, expect to pay $5-$10 per vehicle and $10-$45 per night if you plan to camp at the park.

Discover Alaska by car

Considering how vast and rural Alaska is, renting a car opens up a whole lot more of the state to explore. Beyond the busy streets of Anchorage and Fairbanks, you can venture to massive mountains, rugged coastlines, and pristine forests. From the Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Circle, and from Denali to Tongass, Alaska is picture-perfect for road trips. A rental car lets you explore areas that buses and trains don’t reach.

When to Visit

Alaska has plenty to offer year-round, but many areas are affected by seasonal conditions. Winter can be a great time to play in the snow and see the Northern Lights, but some areas outside the large cities may have restricted access or be closed entirely due to the very harsh winter weather this far north. This is a major reason why summer is Alaska’s peak travel season, as many more parks and attractions are wide open to explore.

For the best road trip weather, the May-September summer season is probably your best bet for open and safe roads. If you’re trying to avoid peak tourist traffic, the tail end of the summer season (in August and September) might work out well, when US students return to school and fall colors start to appear. Whenever you plan to hit the open road, make sure to pack water and sunscreen, and to check weather forecasts before leaving.

Languages & Communication

English is the primary language spoken in Alaska, but the state is highly multicultural and home to diverse communities. As you explore, you may encounter Alaska Native indigenous communities who continue to preserve and utilise their own languages. Under Alaska law, Inupiaq, Siberian Yupik, Central Alaskan Yup'ik, Alutiiq, Unangax, Dena'ina, Deg Xinag, Holikachuk, Koyukon, Upper Kuskokwim, Gwich'in, Tanana, Upper Tanana, Tanacross, Hän, Ahtna, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian are recognised as official state languages alongside English, and you might encounter some native speakers when travelling into indigenous communities.

With all of that said, Alaska is very well-equipped to welcome global visitors, with most signage and services available in English, and staff are often experienced in assisting various non-English speakers.

Currency & Payments

Alaska uses the US Dollar (USD, or US$). Credit and debit cards are usually widely accepted, with contactless payments commonly used at gas stations, parking meters, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are readily available throughout cities and surrounding areas, making it easy to withdraw cash in these areas, but keep in mind that bank branches and ATMs can be much harder to reach in rural regions. And when travelling across the border to Canada, keep in mind that they use the Canadian Dollar (CAD, C$, or CA$).

Top driving routes in Alaska

As the United States’ largest state by size, Alaska is an amazing state for road trips. Whether you aim to climb North America’s tallest peak, reach the Arctic Circle, or view the continent’s largest collection of fjords, these top driving routes highlight some of the best day trips and weekend getaways across the state:

• Anchorage – As Alaska’s most populous city, this is your best bet for a cool urban experience with fascinating museums, colourful art galleries, tasty restaurants, and comfy full-service hotels and resorts.
• Denali National Park and Preserve – Perhaps Alaska’s most famous national park, this is where to go for North America’s tallest mountain at Denali (which the US government lists as Mount McKinley, at 20,310 feet or 6,190 metres above sea level) and critical habitat for local wildlife like moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and wolves.
• Lake Clark National Park and Preserve – Where the Chigmit Mountains meet Cook Inlet, this park astounds in biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes, including two active volcanoes, multiple hanging glaciers, and the 45 mile-long (or 72 km) Lake Clark. (Note that this park is primarily accessible via air taxi or bush plane.)
• Kenai Fjords National Park – This park spans across some 40 glaciers that originate high above the coast, and this is a prime location for spotting orcas, humpback whales, California gray whales (during spring migration), puffins, and sea lions at sea.
• Juneau & Glacier Bay – The state capital is a treasure trove of fascinating 19th century gold rush history and centuries-old indigenous culture, and it’s the ideal launchpad for adventures at the nearby Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve that covers some 3.3 million acres of majestic mountains, glaciers, fjords, and temperate rainforest.
• Fairbanks – At the heart of the state is Fairbanks, the perfect place to bask in the Midnight Sun during summer, catch the Northern Lights (also known as aurora borealis) during their very long winter nights, chill out at the Aurora Ice Museum, and soak up some healing vibes at Chena Hot Springs.
• Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve – This may not be the easiest park to reach, but the journey (by car via the Dalton Highway, or via bush plane from Fairbanks to the nearby town of Bettles) is very worthwhile for anyone hoping to venture north of the Arctic Circle and discover a vast natural wonderland of towering mountains, boreal forest, and undisturbed tundra. (Due to the harsh climate and the limited availability of amenities, it’s best advised to visit this park during the summer season.)