By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | November 2025
🛣️ Highway-by-Highway Brief (What To Know Right Now)
Glenn Highway
- This highway links Anchorage with Eagle River and the Mat-Su/Wasilla/Palmer corridor. In winter conditions … snow, freezing temps, early-season ice … it’s a common spot for crashes when drivers treat it like a summer road. Alaska Public Media+2Army Home+2
- Bridges and overpasses along the Glenn tend to ice up first when temps hover near freezing, even if the rest of the road looks fine. Army Home+1
- With shoppers and early Black Friday traffic on top of it, expect slowdowns, cautious driving, and possible merging/build-up at on-off ramps.
Parks Highway
- The Parks connects the Mat-Su Valley northward (and beyond). In winter, certain stretches, particularly remote or less-frequently traveled segments, can feature icy patches or packed snow, especially after a cold snap or snow event. https://www.webcenterfairbanks.com+1
- Travelers should beware that conditions along the Parks can vary quickly. Parts might be decent, while other miles are slick.
Seward Highway
- This coastal/peninsula route is beautiful and dangerous when winter weather lands. Hazardous curves, low visibility during snow or freezing rain, chance of ice patches, and even avalanche risk in mountainous sections are part of the package in winter months.
- In snow-heavy periods, sections like Turnagain Pass and Moose Pass are especially problematic after heavy snow or mixed precipitation.
Sterling Highway
- Once you leave Seward Highway and head toward the Kenai Peninsula via Sterling, the risks don’t vanish. Pavement conditions along Sterling can dip into “poor” frost heaves, rough pavements, and areas with limited maintenance in heavy snow events have been reported. https://www.webcenterfairbanks.com+1
- Plus, wildlife (moose, caribou, etc.) and narrower shoulders make winter driving on Sterling even more “Alaska-style.” Army Home
✅ What That Means Right Now (Memaw’s Reality Check)
- Glenn: Treat every overpass, bridge or shaded stretch like an ice rink. Just ’cause the main driving surface is dry doesn’t mean you’re safe.
- Parks: Expect variable conditions: some miles might feel OK, others could be icy, especially if snow fell overnight or temps are near freezing. Keep alert.
- Seward: Don’t let scenic views fool you. If there’s snow or freezing temps, narrow curves and mountain terrain turn into danger zones.
- Sterling: Roads may be rough, icy, or under-maintained. Slow down, watch for wildlife, and be ready for uneven pavement or frost-heaved sections.
Also: driving at holiday-rush speeds on any of these roads in winter is a combo recipe for disaster.
🧊 Memaw’s Highway Survival Tips (For All Highways)
- Always assume bridges, overpasses, shaded spots = ice potential. They freeze first.
- Slow and smooth wins. Let other folks speed, you take it easy.
- Leave lots of extra time. Winter roads + holiday traffic = you’re more likely to need the buffer.
- Be ready for a “wiggle room” moment. Part of the road could be fine, next stretch could be slick or rough (especially on Parks or Sterling).
- Watch for wildlife, especially on Seward and Sterling; deer, moose, or caribou don’t read the speed limit.
- Keep your vehicle winter-ready. Good tires (studded if needed), lights cleared, gas topped up, and winter-kit in the back if things go sideways. Alaska 511+1
