Rental cars, minivans and SUVs vary in make and price, but one thing doesn't change -- travelers should reserve their vehicle early.
The summer rush can strain Alaska's supply, and having a vehicle opens a lot of sightseeing options that the unvehicled don't have.
Alaska has the same basic highway laws and traditions as the other U.S. states.
Agencies allow their vehicles to be driven on highways all over the state, although some forbid the vehicles' use on rough gravel roads such as the Denali, Dalton, Elliott and Steese highways.
Gas
Early summer prices in Anchorage are $2 to $2.10 a gallon. Fairbanks' prices are usually close to Anchorage's. Gas bought near Denali National Park, in Seward or in rural areas will cost as much as 30 cents a gallon more than in Anchorage.
One-way rentals
Vehicles can be rented in Seward and Whittier near the cruise docks and dropped off in Anchorage and Fairbanks, or vice versa.
Expect to pay about $75 a day for one-way economy or midsize rentals dropped off in Anchorage; it'll be about $100 a day for dropoffs in Fairbanks. SUV rates are about twice as much.
Alternatives for getting to Anchorage include bus service and riding the Alaska Railroad.
A week's rental -- approximate cost
Here are sample rates for Anchorage, Fairbanks and Seward. No discounts have been applied.
| City | Compact | Midsize | Minivan | SUV |
| Anchorage Int'l Airport | $404 | $445 | $481 | $523 |
| Fairbanks Int'l Airport | $363 | $385 | $797 | $621 |
| Seward, near port | $525 | $560 | -- | $980 |
Travelers should compare rates among agencies. Most major agencies have offices in Anchorage, with fewer in Fairbanks and Seward.
Extra charges
Taxes and surcharges vary. For vehicles rented at Anchorage International Airport, drivers pay 29 percent in taxes, and at least one agency adds a $10.29 surcharge for "license recovery." At Fairbanks International Airport, the tax is 10 percent with fees totaling $19. At Seward, the tax is 16 percent.
The agencies also offer damage waivers. As is the case everywhere, vacationers should ask their hometown insurance carriers about what is their policies already cover.
Cars usually have unlimited mileage. Minivans and SUVs may have further charges, such as 25 cents per mile after a certain distance.
