Everything about The George Parks Highway totally explained
The
George Parks Highway (numbered
Alaska Route 3), usually called simply the
Parks Highway, runs 323 miles (520 km) from the
Glenn Highway 35 miles (56 km) north of
Anchorage to
Fairbanks in the
Alaska Interior. The highway, originally known as the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway, was completed in 1971, and given its current name in 1975.
The highway, which mostly parallels the
Alaska Railroad, is one of the most important roads in Alaska. It is the main route between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska's two
largest cities, the principal access to
Denali National Park and Preserve and
Denali State Park, and the main highway in the
Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
It is a common misconception that the name "Parks Highway" comes from the road's proximity to the
Denali state and national parks; it's in fact in honor of
George Alexander Parks,
governor of the
Territory of Alaska from 1925 to 1933. However, the aptness of the name was recognized when it was chosen.
Mileposts along the Parks Highway don't begin with 0 (zero). Instead, they begin with Mile 35 (km 56), continuing the milepost numbering of the
Glenn Highway where the two highways intersect near
Palmer. The
0 (zero) mile marker for the
Glenn Highway is at its terminus in downtown
Anchorage at the intersection of East 5th Avenue and Gambell Street. Thus mileposts along the Parks Highway reflect distance from
Anchorage, which isn't actually on the Parks Highway.
There are two sections of the highway that are built to freeway standards. These include an area near the highway's intersection with the
Glenn Highway in Palmer and a stretch near the highway's junction with
Alaska Route 2 near Fairbanks.
Exit list
Exits in Alaska are not numbered.
| Milepost |
Street |
Notes |
| 35.0 |
Traffic Is Directed Onto Glenn Hwy South |
| 35.0 |
Glenn Hwy North |
Southbound Only |
| 35.92 |
Matanuska Rd. |
|
| 37.58 |
N. Hyer Road |
|
| 38.66 |
Palmer Section Of Freeway Ends |
| 352.65 |
Fairbanks Section Of Freeway Begins |
| 352.65 |
Geist Road |
|
| 353.81 |
Airport Road |
|
| Gap In Freeway |
| 354.73 |
University Ave. South |
|
| 356.94 |
Peger Rd. |
|
| 357.95 |
Lathrop St. |
|
| Freeway Resumes |
| 358.0 |
Steese Hwy N. |
Northbound Only |
| 358.0 |
Traffic Directed Onto Richardson Hwy S. |
Towns and places along the Parks Highway
- Wasilla, mile 42 (km 68)
- Big Lake, via Big Lake Road, mile 52 (km 84)
- Houston, mile 57 (km 92)
- Willow, mile 69 (km 111)
- Hatcher Pass, via Hatcher Pass Road, mile 71 (km 115)
- Talkeetna, via Talkeetna Spur Road, mile 99 (km 159)
- Trapper Creek, mile 115 (km 185)
- Denali State Park, miles 132–169 (km 212–272)
- Cantwell, mile 210 (km 338)
- Denali National Park entrance, mile 237 (km 382)
- Healy, mile 249 (km 400)
- Anderson and Clear Air Force Station, mile 284 (km 456)
- Nenana, mile 304 (km 490)
- Ester, mile 352 (km 566)
- Fairbanks, mile 358 (km 576)
Further Information
Get more info on 'George Parks Highway'.
|
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