Richardson Highway

The Richardson Highway runs 368 miles from Valdez to Fairbanks and is described as Alaska’s first major road. It follows Indigenous trade routes used for at least 5,000 years and was built from 1905 under the Alaska Road Commission.[1]

Route

The highway runs from Valdez, at the Alaska Marine Highway, to Fairbanks. Alaska Route 4 covers Valdez to Delta Junction, and Alaska Route 2 continues to Fairbanks. The source gives conflicting length figures in its text and infobox, and the infobox value of 368 miles is used here.[1]

History

Indigenous trade routes crossed the region for at least 5,000 years. Lieutenant Henry Allen crossed the eastern Alaska Range in 1885, Captain William Abercrombie began a route from Valdez in 1898 and a pack trail to the Klondike was complete by 1901. After the 1902 Fairbanks gold rush, prospectors used the Valdez-Eagle trail and Ahtna routes.[1]

Construction

In 1904 Congress funded road building and Major Wilds Richardson led the Alaska Road Commission, which began a wagon road from Valdez to Fairbanks in 1905 and finished it in 1910. Bobby Sheldon made the first recorded motor trip from Fairbanks to Valdez in 1913, the road was upgraded to automobile standards in 1923 and tolls began in 1933. The southern end was open only in summer until 1950, and the highway was paved in 1957.[1]

Features

Roadhouses stood roughly every 15 to 20 miles, with about 30 operating at one time. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline, built 1973 to 1977, runs mostly parallel to the highway, and Keystone Canyon north of Valdez has notable waterfalls. Parts of the route were designated scenic byways in 1998, 2004 and 2008.[1]

FAQs

How long is the Richardson Highway? 368 miles.

Why is it historic? It is described as Alaska’s first major road.

When was it paved? 1957.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Richardson Highway

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue