Alaska caravan trip- Question about fuel cost and interest to EVERYONE

[artvonne]

I don't think there's a cheaper way to go to Alaska than taking the coach.
happy coaching!
buswarrior

  I dont think that there is. Not if you want to see anything and stay a while.

[Seayfam]

Hi guys!
I live in Alaska, and I have been traveling back and forth for about 10 years. If the majority of people are coming from central US, I would suggest going in at Alberta. You can stop at Yellowstone WY. Then Glacier N.P. MT. From there I would suggest going up Hwy 93 to Radium Hot springs and through the Canadian Rockies. "This is a must see"
Going back and forth to Boise ID. it costs about $200.00 more than going Washington and into B.C. And there are a bunch of tourist attractions along the way.

Once you get on the Alaska Hwy, I would plan a overnight stay at Liard Hot springs mile 495 Alaska Hwy. You will need a well deserved soak in the springs about this time, and you don't want to drive afterwords. "I tried that once"
The springs are natural and outdoors with nice boardwalks, the campground is nice also with good separation from other campers.

When you get to Alaska, if you don't have the money to travel all over AK, My recommendation is skipping Fairbanks and going down to the Kenai peninsula. I live in Homer Alaska at the tip of the Kenai peninsula, and it's probably the most beautiful place in Alaska you can drive a bus too. Fuel prices here today are 4.10 gal. Diesel.
If you guys make it to Homer, look me up, I have a boat and would like an excuse to go fishing. "Free to bus nuts"

As far as fuel goes, It's going to be expensive! My bus has 760 gal capacity, I buy bulk, and don't stop along the way.

Good luck! I hope to meet some of you busnuts!

Gary


PS.  If you have problems in Alaska, I'll do my best to help.

[artvonne]

My bus has 760 gal capacity, I buy bulk, and don't stop along the way.
Gary

  Man, if you thought mentioning 100 gal aux. tank caused trouble, that Okie guy is gonna ream you a new one when he reads this. 

[buswarrior]

maybe litres? That would be more conventional.

760 litres is 201 USgallons.

760 USgallons would be closing in on 6100 lbs.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[luvrbus]

BW, I know a guy that goes to Alaska every year in a MCI he has a 530 gal aux tank plus what the main tank hold so he close to 700 gals we had to move his tank to rear it was causing problems in the middle bay ( doors bending ) that was 10 years ago and he still goes every year

good luck

[buswarrior]

Wow, I wonder what the weight on the front axle was with it in the middle bay?

That's why we roll our own!
Do it your way!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[luvrbus]

BW, way to heavy lol

[Seayfam]

maybe litres? That would be more conventional.

760 litres is 201 USgallons.

760 USgallons would be closing in on 6100 lbs.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Take a look at my pics of the tank in my blog listed in my sig.  The aux is 560 us gal and the main is 200 us gal. The aux is mounted in the bay right in front of the drivers.
I hardly notice a difference full or empty. My bus is heavy either way. I figure I save approximately $1,000 one way Idaho to Homer AK.

Gary

[Chopper Scott]

Love that bus Gary!!

[wal1809]

I love that auxiliary tank too.  It took me some time to find it as it is so dern huge.  I'll take you up on the fishing in a few years.

[gmorton]

I live in Anchorage and would love to host all of those headed to the "Great Land" for a BBQ brisket feed.  I pastor a great church in the midtown Anchorage area with nice sized parking lots, perfect spot for connecting for dinner with our Alaska bus nuts!  Let me know when you are coming!  We might even be able to find some moose meat for those with discriminating taste! 

[happycamperbrat]

I live in Anchorage and would love to host all of those headed to the "Great Land" for a BBQ brisket feed.  I pastor a great church in the midtown Anchorage area with nice sized parking lots, perfect spot for connecting for dinner with our Alaska bus nuts!  Let me know when you are coming!  We might even be able to find some moose meat for those with discriminating taste! 

gmorton, thank you for the offer! That will certainly be taken into consideration

Hi guys!
I live in Alaska, and I have been traveling back and forth for about 10 years. If the majority of people are coming from central US, I would suggest going in at Alberta. You can stop at Yellowstone WY. Then Glacier N.P. MT. From there I would suggest going up Hwy 93 to Radium Hot springs and through the Canadian Rockies. "This is a must see"
Going back and forth to Boise ID. it costs about $200.00 more than going Washington and into B.C. And there are a bunch of tourist attractions along the way.

Once you get on the Alaska Hwy, I would plan a overnight stay at Liard Hot springs mile 495 Alaska Hwy. You will need a well deserved soak in the springs about this time, and you don't want to drive afterwords. "I tried that once"
The springs are natural and outdoors with nice boardwalks, the campground is nice also with good separation from other campers.

When you get to Alaska, if you don't have the money to travel all over AK, My recommendation is skipping Fairbanks and going down to the Kenai peninsula. I live in Homer Alaska at the tip of the Kenai peninsula, and it's probably the most beautiful place in Alaska you can drive a bus too. Fuel prices here today are 4.10 gal. Diesel.
If you guys make it to Homer, look me up, I have a boat and would like an excuse to go fishing. "Free to bus nuts"

As far as fuel goes, It's going to be expensive! My bus has 760 gal capacity, I buy bulk, and don't stop along the way.

Good luck! I hope to meet some of you busnuts!

Gary


PS.  If you have problems in Alaska, I'll do my best to help.

Gary, the trip sounds absolutely beautiful! Thanks for the suggestion

Inspired from the 'brat's comment on another thread:

For a multi-vehicle caravan, there might be some savings by fueling them all on the same fuel account, as if you were a fleet.

Call a couple of your local national fuel retailer's fleet fuel account representatives and see what the volume thresholds might be.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Will do! Thanks for the suggestion