The drive from Anchorage to Seward is one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. The drive follows a road known as the Seward Highway, and it’s designated as a National Forest Scenic Byway and an All-American Road for a reason.
The 127-mile highway starts from Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, follows the shore of the Turnagain Arm and the base of the Chugach Mountains, and ends in Seward, a small, coastal town on the Kenai Peninsula.
I’ve driven the Seward Highway more times than I can count because there are just so many great spots to visit and a ton of pull-outs for safe viewing along this road.
My favorite time to drive this road is during the summer. I love spotting wildlife, like whales and dall sheep, and finding new trails to hike.
In this post, I’m going to share the best stops on an Anchorage to Seward road trip, including scenic areas, cute towns, and my favorite hikes.
- How to Get From Anchorage to Seward
- What is the Seward Highway?
- Seward Highway Driving Tips
- Seward Highway Points of Interest Map
- 15 Great Stops From Anchorage to Seward
- 1. Potter Marsh (Mile 117)
- 2. McHugh Creek (Mile 112)
- 3. Beluga Point Lookout (Mile 110)
- 4. Turnagain Arm
- 5. Bird Creek (Mile 101)
- 6. Girdwood (Mile 90)
- 7. Spencer Glacier (Mile 79)
- 8. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Mile 80)
- 9. Portage Valley (Mile 79)
- 10. Whittier (Turnoff at Mile 79)
- 11. Turnagain Pass (Mile 70)
- 12. Moose Pass (Mile 29)
- 13. Kenai Lake (Mile 23)
- 14. Kenai Fjords National Park (Mile 3)
- 15. Seward (Mile 0)
- Answering Your Questions
How to Get From Anchorage to Seward
If you’re wondering how to get from Anchorage to Seward, you have a few different transportation options. You can travel by train, bus, or car. You could even fly there but then you would miss out on all of the spectacular views on the way!
Anchorage to Seward by Train
You can travel between Anchorage and Seward on the train. The Alaska Railroad has a Coastal Classic Train that travels to Seward and makes one stop in Girdwood along the way. The train ride takes 4 hours and prices start at $124 for an adult one-way ticket.
Anchorage to Seward by Bus
A cheaper way to get from Anchorage to Seward is by bus. The Park Connection Motorcoach offers daily service from May 17 to September 14. During the summer, the bus line operates two trips each day. The morning bus departs at 7 a.m. and the afternoon bus departs at 3 p.m. Travel time is 2 hours and 45 minutes and an adult ticket costs $75 for one-way.
Anchorage to Seward by Car
The fastest way to get from Anchorage to Seward is to drive as it only takes 2.5 hours. Driving by car will give you the flexibility to stop at all of the incredible places and towns on and off of the main highway. You can find a rental car in Anchorage or check Turo.com.
What is the Seward Highway?
The Seward Highway is a 127-mile road in Southcentral Alaska that connects the vibrant city of Anchorage to the charming coastal town of Seward. The Seward Highway holds triple recognition as a USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway, and an All-American Road.
Seward Highway Driving Tips
- You must keep your headlights on at all times
- Maximum speed along the Seward Highway is 65 mph
- Stay aware of low speeds through small communities
- Pull over if there are more than 5 vehicles directly behind you
- Check for road conditions and highway traffic updates
Seward Highway Points of Interest Map
Check out My Google Map to see the best stop along the route from Anchorage to Seward.
15 Great Stops From Anchorage to Seward
The first 50 miles of the Seward Highway is set between the base of the Chugach Mountains and the tide of Turnagain Arm. Once you leave the coast, you will drive through the towering Kenai Mountains until you make your way to the other side of the Kenai Peninsula.
If it’s your first time driving to Seward, it’s helpful to understand where you are along the highway by using the mile marker. Since you’re driving from Anchorage, it’s a bit backward so the start of the Seward Highway begins in downtown Anchorage, which is Mile 127, and ends in Seward, which is Mile 0.
Here are the best stops to make between Anchorage and Seward:
1. Potter Marsh (Mile 117)
Distance from Downtown Anchorage: 10 miles
Potter Marsh is the first stop to make on your Seward road trip. Potter Marsh is part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and I love stopping here for bird viewing because it’s one of the most accessible and scenic wildlife viewing areas in Anchorage and it’s home to over 130 different bird species!
You can also see other wild animals, like moose and bears. It’s not as common, so I felt so lucky to see a moose in the marsh one time. I wish I had my camera with me!
From the parking lot, you can access a 0.5-mile wooden boardwalk that winds through the marshland. As you walk along the boardwalk, you can read interpretative signs about the different local habitats and wildlife species.
2. McHugh Creek (Mile 112)
15 miles from Anchorage
If you love waterfalls, you’ll want to pull into the McHugh Creek Day Use Area parking lot. The area is equipped with picnic tables and bathrooms, making it a great stop anyway. From the parking area, a short walk will lead you to the 20-foot McHugh Creek Waterfall.
If you like to hike, there are also a few trails here within the Chugach State Park. The Turnagain Arm Trail will reward you with some incredible views of Turnagain Arm. There are brown bears and black bears in this area, so make sure you are bear aware.
3. Beluga Point Lookout (Mile 110)
17 miles from Anchorage
Beluga Point is one of the best places for whale watching in Alaska because you can see beluga whales right from the shore! During the fall, the beluga whales follow the salmon from Cook Inlet into the waters of the Turnagain Arm.
It’s a popular spot to see beluga whales up close, but you will have to cross the railroad tracks to get a better view of the shore. The beluga whales follow the salmon and hooligan runs so the best time to visit during high tide.
While waiting for the tide to come in, turn around towards the peaks behind you and see if you can spot any dall sheep! Sometimes they come all the way down to the highway.
4. Turnagain Arm
Alaska is home to the second-highest bore tide in North America and many locals try to surf it! The Turnagain Arm bore tide is formed by the area’s large tidal range as a wave of water up to six feet tall and top speeds of 20 mph rushes in.
You have to be lucky to see this one because a bore tide is a natural phenomenon that happens when the incoming tide forms a wave of water that travels up a river or narrow bay, against the current.
If you happen to be on the Turnagain Arm at the right time, I recommend stopping along the side of the road to watch it because it’s really fun.
5. Bird Creek (Mile 101)
26 miles from Anchorage
If you want to get a glimpse of the local, Alaskan culture, stop at Bird Creek from July to September. During the summer months, you’ll see anglers fishing for wild salmon in the creek. Fishermen line up on both sides of the creek when the silver salmon are running, and it’s a unique sight to see.
Non-locals can fish here too with the proper fishing license, and if you’re not into fishing, this is still a great place to see lots of salmon, and occasionally bears and bald eagles that are also in search of tasty salmon.
6. Girdwood (Mile 90)
37 miles from Anchorage
The town of Girdwood is nestled just 45 minutes south of Anchorage, and it’s my favorite town to visit when I’m looking to get away from the busy city. This mountain town is full of shops, restaurants, and plenty of live music events.
During the winter, ski down the slopes of Alyeska Ski Resort, the largest ski resort in the state. After a long day of skiing, soak it all away at the Alyeska Nordic Spa. During the summer, take the Alyeska aerial tram up the mountain and enjoy panoramic views of Turnagain Arm and the seven glaciers surrounding the city. rab a bite to eat at the restaurant.
Visit Virgin Creek Falls or hike the Winner Creek Trail, one of my favorite day hikes in Girdwood. Then, grab a beer at the Girdwood Brewing Company and enjoy their outdoor seating.
7. Spencer Glacier (Mile 79)
38 miles from Anchorage
I visited Spencer Glacier last year and it was such a fun trip. To get here, you need to hop on the Alaska Railroad Glacier Discovery Train and ride the train to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. You can catch the train at the Portage 2nd Stop, which is nearly 10 miles south of Girdwood.
At the whistle stop, you can get off the train and hike for a few miles to see a great view of the face of Spencer Glacier. You can also kayak on the lake or book a float trip down the Placer River. This trip will take up half of your day so make sure you account for the extra time.
8. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Mile 80)
47 miles from Anchorage
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a 200-acre wildlife sanctuary where you can see bears, moose, wolves, coyotes, lynx, foxes, elk, wood bison, reindeer, porcupine, and more. So, if you only had one day to see wildlife in Alaska this would be the place to go.
You can choose to go on a self-guided walk or drive around the center, or book a guided tour with a naturalist guide or an up-close encounter with brown bears and moose. General admission tickets are $25 per adult.
9. Portage Valley (Mile 79)
48 miles from Anchorage
Exit the Seward Highway onto Portage Glacier Road and drive through a valley of mountains, hanging glaciers, and lakes. This is an incredible recreational area and I think it’s one of the most underrated places on the Kenai Peninsula.
In this one valley, you can hike to Byron Glacier, kayak on Portage Lake, packraft down Portage Creek, take a boat tour on Portage Lake to see Portage Glacier, bike the Trail of Blue Ice, go fishing, camp at one of the many campgrounds, and learn about the history of Portage Valley at the Begich Boggs Visitor Center.
Seriously, there’s so much to do here and I recommend adding the stop to your Anchorage to Seward itinerary.
10. Whittier (Turnoff at Mile 79)
60 miles from Anchorage
If you continue driving through Portage Valley, you will reach the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, a 2.5-mile tunnel that connects to Whittier. The tunnel is the longest vehicle-railroad combined tunnel in North America and it’s the only way to get to Whittier without being on a cruise ship or ferry.
Whittier is the gateway to dozens of glaciers and you can see them on a 26 Glacier Cruise in Prince William Sound. There’s still a lot to do in this small town, but my favorite activities in Whittier are hiking the Portage Pass Trail and jet skiing to Blackstone Bay.
11. Turnagain Pass (Mile 70)
Turnagain Pass is a mountain pass and the highest point on the Seward Highway. It’s a really great spot for backcountry skiing and snow-machining during the winter.
During the summer, the pass is absolutely stunning. The mountains are green and the meadows are covered in beautiful wildflowers, including fireweed, chocolate lily, northern geranium, Nootka lupine, Alaska Indian paintbrush, Sitka valerian, and Nangoonberry.
There are a few trails that meander through the meadows, so get out of the car, stretch the legs, and capture a photo worthy of an Alaska postcard.
There are a few creeks towards the southern end of the pass that are popular for packrafting.
12. Moose Pass (Mile 29)
98 Miles from Anchorage
Moose Pass is a small community with a population of 315 people. It’s surrounded by the Chugach National Forest and home to the start of the Iditarod trail.
There are countless activities to do in the area. Visitors can attend the Moose Pass Summer Solstice Festival, go on a self-guided tour of the Trail Lake Hatcher, or look for Arctic Terns at Tern Lake.
My favorite hiking trails in Moose Pass are Devils Pass and Carter Lake. I also love biking Johnson Pass Trail.
13. Kenai Lake (Mile 23)
104 miles from Anchorage
Kenai Lake is the largest lake on the Kenai Peninsula at 21-square-miles. The lake was formed by glaciers, which creates this blue-green color and it is beautiful, especially when the sun is out.
The lake can be accessed from the Sterling Highway and the Seward Highway and there are plenty of places to pull over on the drive to Seward to take a photo.
The lake also forms the headwaters of the Kenai River, which is a great place to visit for fishing or kayaking trips.
14. Kenai Fjords National Park (Mile 3)
124 miles from Anchorage
Kenai Fjords National Park is an US National Park known for its glaciers, coastal fjords and islands. The park covers an area of 669,984 acres, including the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States.
The only way to access this Alaska National Park by car is by driving down the Exit Glacier Road to the Exit Glacier Nature Center. From the Exit Glacier Area, you can hike to the Exit Glacier Overlook or up to the Harding Icefield.
Other parts of Kenai Fjords can be accessed by boat, where you can cruise around the fjords and islands, and see a lot of wild life, including humpback whales, orca whales, sea otters, sea lions, and more.
15. Seward (Mile 0)
Seward is 127 miles from Anchorage
The last stop on your drive from Anchorage to Seward is the small town of Seward itself! You can easily visit Seward on a day trip, but there is so much to do here that it’s worth staying more than one night.
Besides the national park nearby, you can walk around Lowell Point State Recreation Site, paddle to Tonsina Point, check out the WWII Fort McGilvray bunker at Caines Head State Recreation Site, stay in a public use cabin, kayak to Bear Glacier, visit Orca Island cabins, or take the family to the Alaska Sealife Center.
After a day full of adventure, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars to take care of any hunger pains.
Answering Your Questions
How far is it from Anchorage to Seward?
Seward is 127 miles away from downtown Anchorage,
How to get from Seward to Anchorage after cruise?
To get to Anchorage from Seward after a cruise, you can book a bus with the Alaska Park Connection or ride the Alaska Railroad.
Read More
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Do you have any questions on the best things to do between Anchorage and Seward? Let me know in the comments.
