Heading to the Arctic Ocean Next Week

[Astro Jeep]

I am heading to Tuktoyaktuk next week to camp near the Arctic Ocean for a while. I am experienced in living out of a Jeep on a long-term basis, but for those who have traveled the Dempster, do you have any advice? My biggest concern is the distance between fuel stops and if diesel is generally available. Over the next few days, I plan on doing a deep dive into the logistics aspect, but if you have advice, I would appreciate it.

Sponsored

 

[wibornz]

This is what I did. I had 19 gallons of extra fuel on the Jeep going to Deadhorse/Prodhue Bay Alaska. I was able to make it to Coldfoot for fuel. 254 miles. The cost of fuel was $7.59 a gallon. I filled the cans up at Costco for $3.42 a gallon. I filled up at Coldfoot and then filled up again in Deadhorse for $7.59 a gallon again. I was not able to make it back to Coldfoot on the return journey. I was out of fuel 13 miles from Coldfoot. I filled the Jeep up out of the cans and was able to skip the expensive fuel at Coldfoot and get gas in Fairbanks. So the extra fuel can save you, from running out of fuel or save you in my case, $79 for a fill up. I also used the fuel in Canada, because the swing if fuel prices were as much as .90 cents per liter at times from one station to the next. So having the ability to pass a fuel station was also helpful. It also made it so I was able to skip a fuel fill up in Canada as it gave me enough range to get into Alaska and by pass a tank of fuel from Canada.

 

[Astro Jeep]

This is what I did. I had 19 gallons of extra fuel on the Jeep going to Deadhorse/Prodhue Bay Alaska.

This right here is why I asked. Of course, I knew about tow hitch-mounted external baskets, but it never crossed my mind to use one for fuel on this trip. I removed my back seats about three years ago and installed a Goose Gear floor, but I wasn't looking forward to putting fuel cans inside with me. Thank you, Sir. This is how I will make it happen.

 

[shane h.]

This is my dream trip once retirement finally gets here, so I'm all in on these threads. Let us know how it goes.

 

[wibornz]

This is my dream trip once retirement finally gets here, so I'm all in on these threads. Let us know how it goes.

We are heading back to Alaska in 2027 for the summer.

 

[shane h.]

We are heading back to Alaska in 2027 for the summer.

If the job re-offers an early out package in 2027, I'm taking it. I may hit you up

 

[TIMEOUT]

We went to Inuvik (no road past there, had to fly to Tuk) about 20 years ago in a 3500 Dodge with a heavy truck camper. There is fuel at Eagle Plains which is about half way, doubt there is anything new now. Back then, the talk was all about the bad road and getting a flat tire due to sharp rocks. They may have improved the road since then because of all the construction traffic due to the oil activity. It is certainly a great trip - have a great time.

 

[dstevens]

It is a good idea to run lower tire pressures to prevent flats? With KO2s I've had two flats in the last 18 months from just a plain gravel road where small rocks got pushed straight through the tread.

 

[GATORB8]

This right here is why I asked. Of course, I knew about tow hitch-mounted external baskets, but it never crossed my mind to use one for fuel on this trip. I removed my back seats about three years ago and installed a Goose Gear floor, but I wasn't looking forward to putting fuel cans inside with me. Thank you, Sir. This is how I will make it happen.

Just as a consideration if you are buying jugs anyways and decide not to do NATOs, I use the VP Racing jugs for the boat and the shape may work better depending on your rack.

 

[Astro Jeep]

We went to Inuvik (no road past there, had to fly to Tuk) about 20 years ago in a 3500 Dodge with a heavy truck camper. There is fuel at Eagle Plains which is about half way, doubt there is anything new now. Back then, the talk was all about the bad road and getting a flat tire due to sharp rocks. They may have improved the road since then because of all the construction traffic due to the oil activity. It is certainly a great trip - have a great time.

@dstevens It is a good idea to run lower tire pressures to prevent flats? With KO2s I've had two flats in the last 18 months from just a plain gravel road where small rocks got pushed straight through the tread.

@dstevens I am definitely airing down. I run split rim double deadlocks, and figure I will run the whole road at 20psi. I am in no rush to get there. I am on my third set of Nitto Ridge Grappler's and love them. I trail the crap out of them, and they keep on going.

@TIMEOUT Thank you for the info!

 

[Astro Jeep]

Just as a consideration if you are buying jugs anyways and decide not to do NATOs, I use the VP Racing jugs for the boat and the shape may work better depending on your rack.

I appreciate that info. I will look into those.

 

[Bob Burd]

It's only 242mi between Coldfoot and Prudhoe Bay. A friend and I drove it in a Suzuki Samurai, no fuel cans. It was 1992 and not technically legal then, but no enforcement. No problem fueling at the Arco in Prudhoe Bay.

 

[wibornz]

Just as a consideration if you are buying jugs anyways and decide not to do NATOs, I use the VP Racing jugs for the boat and the shape may work better depending on your rack.

I have two of the VP Racing Jugs. they are to tall. The tailgate will clear them while strapped to the basket. There is now way they are clearing the trail gate if the fill hose is on either making it a hassle to get into the back of the Jeep.. I also think they would be harder to strap down securely..

A picture showing that the regular cans barely clear the tailgate.

Remember the fuel cans have to be strapped down and able to stay upright while going over rough roads. I ratchet strapped my gas cans tight and ran a cable through the handles so they could not be stolen. Fuel per ChatGTP can cost as much as $9 per gallon along the Dempster HYW. So caring extra fuel could also mean saving some money by filling the cans prior to the high cost fuel stop and you may end up saving someone else that Is not as prepared as yourself..

 

[NMPirate]

Last year TrailRecon and The Story Till Now did that trip and have great videos on Youtube. Looks like a great time. Wish I could pack it up and go.

 

[ArmyRN]

I drove the Dempster to Inuvik not too long ago, but before the road to Tuk opened up. Eagle Plains is about 250 miles in, and your first gas stop.

They call it the Dempster "Highway", but think gravel/dirt road. Aired down and not paved, you won't be getting your normal "highway" MPG. Carrying extra fuel is smart.

If you don't have the latest issue of the Milepost, order it. Now. It truly is the Bible for travel in Western Canada and Alaska.

https://shop.themilepost.com/products/the-milepost-2025

And for those folks that aren't familiar with Alaska and Canada, the Dalton Highway is in Alaska, and the Dempster Highway is in Canada. Two totally different roads, but similar in some ways, and both lead to the Arctic Ocean.

Sponsored