Denali Highway Open For Summer Travel One Week Before Last Year

 Open For Business! Summer of 2025 

Sure Sign Of Spring: DOT Announces You Can Drive On The Denali Highway 

Paxson DOT crew at 12 Mile on the Denali. (Photo DOT, David Hoffmeister) 

During the winter, the Denali Highway and the McCarthy Road are not plowed by DOT. And the Department of Transportation website, 511, shows them as closed in winter to road travel.  

But spring has come. The snow has melted. The DOT trucks have been out – and the 135-mile long Denali Highway, from Paxson (in the Copper Valley) to Cantwell (on the Parks Highway) is open for the summer season. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2025 CONTACT: Grace Keller, (907) 451-2309, grace.keller@alaska.gov

The Denali Highway is Now Open for Public Travel Travelers are encouraged to check road conditions at 511.alaska.gov before traveling (Fairbanks, Alaska) –The Denali Highway is now open for travel. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) will perform regular maintenance now through October 1. Beginning in mid-April, Cantwell and Paxson crews worked from either end of the 135-mile Denali Highway, meeting in the middle on May 5. Maintenance teams conducted snow removal and thawed culverts to restore the highway to good driving condition. Drivers should use caution and reduce speed, as conditions may include soft spots and rough patches. An advisory 35 mph speed limit is in effect. Travelers should watch for maintenance crews and are encouraged to prepare for remote travel by bringing emergency supplies including food, water, first aid kits, spare tires, and weather-appropriate gear. Seasonal weight restrictions are in effect and can be here. The Denali Highway, which connects the Parks and Richardson Highways, plays a vital role in Alaska's outdoor economy - supporting recreation, tourism, access, and seasonal travel across 135 miles of scenic, rugged terrain. As one of Alaska's seasonal roads, it closes each winter due to heavy snowfall and reopens in spring after crew's complete snow removal and culvert thawing. These routes often pass through remote areas with minimal services, and travelers should be prepared for self- sufficiency.  Before traveling the Denali Highway, visit 511 or call 511 for the latest conditions.