In its early years, driving the Alaska Highway, none of which was paved, was an adventure that required a great deal of preparation. To aid in that preparation, this 20-page brochure was published by the Canadian Government Travel Bureau - it was 6 x 9 inches in size. It includes comments such as:

• "Motor cars in poor condition and older models, namely cars that are more than 10 years old, must be entered on a commercial Vehicle Permit, with either cash or guarantee bond for export." Any trailers had to also be driven with a commercial Vehicle Permit and cash/bond, with other requirements for trailers over 15 feet in length.

• To avoid paying duty, you could only bring into Canada 2 day's food, 300 miles worth of gas, and 6 rolls of film and 12 flashbulbs.

• "A visitor does not need a Federal permit to possess rifles, shotguns or fishing tackle in Canada."

• "Because of the lack of proper equipment at small establishments along the Alaska Highway, repairs for tubeless tires are generally not available."

• "It is also advisable that the underpart of the gasoline tank be protected with a piece of rubber tire or inner tube against the flying gravel."

• "The cost of gasoline on the Alaska Highway ranges from 47 cents at Dawson Creek to 68 cents at Coal River, British Columbia, halfway along the highway. From that point the price declines to 51 cents at Whitehorse and gradually increases again to 68 cents at Beaver Creek."

• "Prices of accommodations and food compare with those in the U.S. and main sections of Canada. In the smaller lodges a room may be obtained for $3.50 and $4.00 per person per night, up to $10.00 or $12.00 for a double room at the larger inns and hotels. Breakfast, lunch and dinner may be purchased at prices ranging from 75 cents to $3.00."

You can read the entire brochure (11MB) on our download site at Dropbox.

More Alaska Highway History

Click on the map to greatly enlarge it