Driving from California to Alaska through Canada
I am going to be driving from California to Alaska going through Canada. I have a the updated CDL and my birth certificate. Will that documentation allow me to make my trip?
Best Answer
If you're a US citizen, you don't need a US passport to enter Canada, but people who have traveled with only a birth certificate have reported being delayed at the Canadian border and having their vehicles searched.
If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification.
No matter your mode of travel, we recommend you carry a valid passport for all travel abroad, including visits to Canada from the United States.
By law US citizens must enter the US using a passport or other WHTI compliant travel document (by land or sea).
U.S. Passports
U.S. Passport Cards
Enhanced Driver's Licenses
Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)
Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry*, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST
Military Identification Cards (for members of the U.S. armed official maritime business)
But there is no actual penalty in the law for not doing so. If the US border officers can verify that you are a US citizen, they will have to let you in. But you can count on being delayed (again) and probably having your vehicle thoroughly searched (again). You can also count on a verbal dressing-down from the CBP officer for not having proper documents.
As a truck driver you can use a FAST card even if you aren't driving your truck, provided you're traveling alone (or everyone with you is also a FAST member). But as I understand it Canada also requires you to present your passport along with the FAST card (the terms are a bit vague about this).
I can't recommend trying to travel outside the US without a passport, or at least a passport card for travel to Canada. I think it's worth it just to save the several hours of delay and uncertainty at the border crossings.
Finally, if you're unable to enter Canada for some reason, you can still travel to Alaska using the Alaska State Ferry, boarding in Bellingham, WA.
Pictures about "Driving from California to Alaska through Canada"
How many days does it take to drive from California to Alaska?
How long it takes to drive to Alaska from different parts of the United StatesStarting CityDistanceDriving TimeLos Angeles, CA3,395 miles60 hours (8 days)Chicago, IL3,580 miles60 hours (8 days)Dallas, TX3,896 miles66 hours (9 days)Nashville, TN4,056 miles67 hours (9 days)6 more rows•Mar 10, 2020Is driving to Alaska Safe?
Yes, driving to Alaska is generally safe. There are normal road hazards, but with normal careful driving and some planning, you should have a safe trip. If you do run into trouble, people along the highway tend to help each other out.Can you drive to Alaska without passing through Canada?
No, you can't drive to Alaska without passing through Canada. This is because only one road connects Alaska to the rest of the world, and that road passes through Canada. There are four routes through which you can go to Alaska from the US. You also need to know a few things about driving to Alaska.Can you drive to Alaska from California without going through Canada?
You can drive to Alaska from anywhere in the United States except Hawaii. From the majority of USA, you need to take the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek in British Columbia except California, Oregon and Washington State where the Dease Lake Highway is a better route to Yukon.Driving The ALCAN Highway | Through Canada to Alaska
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Helena Lopes, Pedram Farjam, Andre Furtado, Quintin Gellar