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The Next Frontier: How to Plan the Ultimate Alaska Road Trip

By U.S. News & World Report

To fully appreciate the wonder of Alaska’s vast, pristine and rugged wilderness, plan a road trip to the Interior and Southcentral regions of the state. While many travelers opt to visit by cruise ship, independently driving these scenic routes and byways is the best way to experience the northern territory. On a drive to remember, you can marvel at the dramatic scenery and extraordinary beauty of the Last Frontier, explore more remote areas and meet with passionate residents to learn more about local customs and cultures. Plan to spend a week traveling from Fairbanks to Anchorage, Alaska, and arrange side trips by boat or plane for another unique perspective of the state’s spellbinding natural scenery. Read on to start plotting your road trip.

[See: 10 Reasons to Visit Alaska This Fall.]

Start in Fairbanks, Alaska

Known as the Golden Heart of Alaska, and located about 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks is considered the gateway to the Interior and Far North and is the ideal base camp to begin your Alaskan adventure. In town, visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North, with its contemporary Alaskan art, history, wildlife and artifacts. The Riverboat Discovery, a paddlewheel cruise along a tributary of the Yukon River, is also a worthwhile tour operated by a local family that’s worked on these rivers since 1898. Highlights include a visit to see the champion sled dogs and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher and a visit to the Chena Indian Village to learn about the ancient Athabascan Indian culture.

Fairbanks is also one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights during aurora season, from Aug. 21 to April 21. If the skies are clear, you may catch a nightly light show that you’ll never forget. From Fairbanks, head to Denali National Park (by car or train), travel to the Arctic Circle or visit Chena Hot Springs, with its healing mineral waters and numerous outdoor activities.

Tack on a Side Trip

The six-hour Alaska Marine Highway ferry ride across Prince William Sound allows you to travel by boat with your car from Valdez to Whittier, Alaska, while enjoying coastline views surrounded by mountains, glaciers and marine wildlife.

Meanwhile, the half-day Major Marine Tours catamaran cruise, departing from Seward, Alaska, sails through the beautiful fjords. Typically shrouded in a light mist, the focus of the cruise is on wildlife viewing. Watch as majestic humpback whales surface and plunge into the chilly waters fed by glaciers in the Harding Icefield. Listen closely, and you might even hear their mesmerizing sounds. On the expedition, you can also enjoy a chorus of seals serenading visitors along the jagged rocks in Resurrection Bay, watch sea otters playfully romping in the water or listen quietly to the eerie cracking of blue glaciers as they calve into icebergs.

[See: America’s Ultimate 7 National Parks Road Trips.]

Drive from Fairbanks to Chitina and McCarthy

Most of the highest summits in North America are in full view as you travel along the Richardson Highway and the Saint Elias Mountains, the world’s highest coastal mountain range. With snow-capped peaks and dramatic colors intermingled with the glistening and surreal icy blue glow of the glaciers, you’ll want to stop at every scenic overlook. There are also many viewing points of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System on this route.

From the small fishing town of Chitina, famous for its access to the Copper River, take a shuttle (rental cars are not allowed on this unpaved road) to the remote town of McCarthy. Better yet, for a jaw-dropping 35-minute aerial view, book a small plane with Wrangall Mountain Air for a true adventure. This thrilling ride through the peaks and valleys of the Saint Elias Mountains and over rivers and the Kennicott and Root glaciers will be one of the highlights of your trip. You might even see Dall sheep, bear and moose from high above.

Plan to stay two evenings at nearby Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Located in an old mining town that is now a National Historic Landmark, Kennicott became a ghost town in 1938 when the mill was suddenly closed and abandoned. While in town, cross a glacier hike off your bucket list with a moderate half-day or more strenuous full-day outing with St. Elias Alpine Guides and hike the massive Root Glacier to gaze at its impressive icefall. Then, take the Kennicott Mine Tour to learn the fascinating backstory of this former copper mining town. In the evenings, relax on the front porch of the lodge before dinner, overlooking the mountains and glacier, followed by a hearty feast served family-style and prepared by the lodge’s talented culinary staff.

Stay in Girdwood, Alaska

Alyeska Resort, a luxury property and one of the state’s premier lodges, is also the largest ski resort in Alaska. Located in the quaint town of Girdwood and just an hour’s drive from Anchorage, Alyeska Resort offers an ideal place to hang your hat at the end of the day. Make a reservation here for at least one evening after your catamaran cruise in Seward and en route to Anchorage. And for a memorable dining experience, ride the tram to the top of Mount Alyeska and dine at Seven Glaciers restaurant, an AAA Four Diamond restaurant. In the morning, take the road less traveled and hike Winner Creek Trail. Hidden behind the tram, the trail through the forest to Winner Creek Gorge is worth exploring; from there, you’ll discover a different kind of tram, a hand-operated version to continue onto the trailhead on the other side of the gorge.

Finish Your Trip in Anchorage

End your road trip in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. With many hotels, museums and restaurants, Anchorage makes it a cinch to ease back into your routine. It’s also a great home base for daytrips, such as the Spencer Whistle Glacier Stop on the Alaska Railroad, just two hours north and reachable only by train. Don’t leave without visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn the significant historical and cultural imprint of Alaska’s indigenous people.

[Read: America’s Top 7 Scenic Fall Road Trips Under $500.]

Plot When to Take Your Trip Wisely

The best time to visit Alaska is late spring and summer, when the temperatures are warm and the midnight sun shines for nearly all hours of the day. With the short window, it’s wise to make travel arrangements far in advance. Labor Day weekend signals the end of the season, especially in the remote areas, when tour and wilderness guides depart for warmer climates and hotels, restaurants and other attractions close. When the sounds of the migrating geese are heard overhead and the clear cool night skies are filled with dancing northern lights, it’s a sure sign that fall, and very quickly, winter, are just around the corner, ushering in a very different travel experience.

More from U.S. News

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The Next Frontier: How to Plan the Ultimate Alaska Road Trip originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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