Taking a Model 3 to Alaska

[GuyHall]

In 2014 I drove a Model S to Alaska (my Tesla Tijuana to Tundra Tour - T5). It should be a bit easier with a Model 3, so I'm thinking about going for it again. So a couple questions for the community.
1) Has anyone else taken an EV from the lower 48 to Alaska. I consider the ferry cheating...
2) Would anyone like to buy my M3 when I arrive (as I have two M3's available to me) for list price, less miles driven up.

Guy Hall
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Chief Strategy Officer, Sacramento Electric Vehicle Association,
President Emeritus, Sacramento Electric Vehicle Association,
Board Secretary Electric Auto Association, Director Sacramento Clean Cities Board
Board Secretary Northern California Reno Tesla Owners Association
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[GuyHall]

A few photos from my Alaska T5 trip.

 

[AlaskaMatt]

Guy,

Your trip to Alaska looks amazing! We recently purchased a Model S 70D and might be driving it to Anchorage this fall. Can you provide any more insight on your route and how you made the trip? Originally I figured we would have to use the ferry but your posts have given me hope the entire drive is doable!

On another note, I might be interested in your M3. However, I really wanted the dual motor M3 which I am doubting is one of the two you have but maybe is?

Lastly, if you come through Anchorage at all you should stop and say hi! It would be great to chat with you and checkout you M3 after the drive. Depending on the dates you could potentially even stay with us.

Sincerely,

Matt

 

[WhiteBearAK]

As I am looking at ordering my Model 3 soon I have been thinking along the lines of how to get it up here.

Some state that Tesla will ship it up since it is further than 160 miles from a delivery center other say I have to ship it up myself, and here you show that you can actually drive it up.
Downside of driving it up the AlCan must be that you have to protect coat the car before you leave the lower 48 (or Canada).

 

[PLUS EV]

I wouldn't recommend driving the Alaska Highway in a brand new car even if you do get it coated. Even in the summer there are long stretches that are under construction and are basically gravel roads. I also wouldn't recommend making that trip unless you are highly experienced in EV travel. It's about a 9 out of 10 on the degree of difficulty scale and even if everything works out well, it would be extremely slow.

Taking the ferry from Bellingham to Skagway would be another (less) slow option, but even driving the 800 miles from Skagway to Anchorage in an EV would be difficult.

I would think Tesla would deliver directly to Anchorage, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a surcharge for delivering to AK or HI. Should be an easy question for your delivery specialist to answer.

 

[WhiteBearAK]

Thanks for that answer, and it is pretty much in line with what I have been thinking. I have driven the AlCan from Anchorage to California 15 years ago and as you say large stretches were pretty miserable to drive. Then of course my delivery would be when snow is on the road making it even more "interesting".

 

[GuyHall]

As I am looking at ordering my Model 3 soon I have been thinking along the lines of how to get it up here.

Some state that Tesla will ship it up since it is further than 160 miles from a delivery center other say I have to ship it up myself, and here you show that you can actually drive it up.
Downside of driving it up the AlCan must be that you have to protect coat the car before you leave the lower 48 (or Canada).

I did coat XPEL wrap protect my S when I drove the AlCan. No dings. Don't know if I was luck or the wrap protected.