Ice roads are seasonal winter routes over frozen rivers and tundra that serve as the only overland link between many Alaska communities in the cold months. The longest on record was plowed on the Kuskokwim River in February 2020 and reached 355 miles.[1][2]
| Longest recorded | 355 miles, Kuskokwim River, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Typical length | About 200 miles (Kuskokwim average) |
| State programme | Safe Ice Roads for Alaska (SIRA) |
| Local match | 9.03% |
| Crews begin | Usually January |
| Ice near Bethel | 3 to 4 feet (2020) |
Why they matter
Many Alaska communities depend on winter trails, ice roads and seasonal routes as their only overland travel in the colder months, using them to reach jobs, food, medical care and subsistence hunting grounds. On the Kuskokwim, the road lets people travel by snowmachine and vehicle in a region that otherwise relies on unpredictable winter air travel.[1][2]
The 2020 Kuskokwim road
In February 2020 crews plowed the Kuskokwim River ice road to 355 miles, its longest ever and longer than most traditional highways in Alaska. The average ice road there had been about 200 miles. Crews left Bethel on February 7 and reached Sleetmute by February 15, and Red Devil, about 10 miles south of Sleetmute, gained an ice road for the first time. Ice was 3 to 4 feet thick near Bethel and about 2 feet near Sleetmute, and one stretch took nearly two days of bulldozing rough ice before plowing could start.[1]
State support and upkeep
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities funds ice road development, maintenance and operation through the Safe Ice Roads for Alaska programme, using the Surface Transportation Block Grant or the Recreational Trails Program, with a 9.03 percent local match. A grader was transferred to Napaimute, and the Kuskokwim road was being extended to Tuntutuliak. Maintenance remains a continuing challenge, and more traffic can mean more stranded drivers and more work for search-and-rescue groups.[1][2]
FAQs
How long was the longest Kuskokwim ice road? 355 miles in February 2020.
Who funds Alaska ice roads? The state transportation department through the Safe Ice Roads for Alaska programme, with local matching funds.
Why are ice roads important? They are often the only overland winter link between rural communities.
Sources
Key facts
- Plowed February 2020
- Funded through SIRA
Quick checkHow long was the longest Kuskokwim ice road?Show answer
355 miles
Sources
- KTOO / KYUK. The Kuskokwim River’s 355-mile ice road is its longest ever. 2020-02-22 (accessed 2026-11-14)
- Alaska DOT&PF. Ice roads. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue