The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner

Connects: Fairbanks to Circle, AK
Routes#: Alaska 2 & 6
Length: 161 miles
Road Surface: 40% paved, 60% gravel
Season: Open all year
Highest Pass: Eagle Summit, 3,685 feet
Map (1 detailed pdf file available):
Fairbanks, AK to Circle, AK

The Steese Highway, a designated Scenic Byway, connects Fairbanks with Circle, a small settlement on the Yukon River, 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle. The Steese Highway was completed in 1927 and named for Gen. James G. Steese, U.S. Army, former president of the Alaska Road Commission.

The first 81-miles of the Steese Highway are improved pavement. From pavement end it is wide gravel road into Central, where there is a short stretch of paved road. From Central to Circle, the highway is a narrow, winding gravel road.

This drive is especially colorful in late August and early September when the leaves turn. Acres of fireweed offer bright splashes of color in the summer and fall. Attractions along the Steese Highway include gold mine camps and mining artifacts, and Chatanika River and Chena River state recreation areas.

The MILEPOST® Quick Reference Log
Miles from Fairbanks (F) shown.

F 0 FAIRBANKS.
F 8.4 Trans–Alaska Pipeline Viewpoint.
F 9.5 Gold Dredge Number 8 National Historic Site.
F 11 Junction with Elliott Highway at FOX (pop.417 ); groceries, 24-hour gas, diesel at Fox General Store. Access to the Turtle Club restaurant, known for its prime rib.
F 28 Chatanika Gold Camp; dining, lodging, saloon, Chatanika Schoolhouse Museum.
F 28.6 Chatanika Lodge; restaurant, saloon and lodging.
F 39 Upper Chatanika River State Recreation Site; camping.
F 45.5 Long Creek Trading Post; gold mining equipment, groceries, liquor store, camping.
F 57.4 Junction with U.S Creek Road to Nome Creek Valley; camping, gold panning.
F 60 Cripple Creek BLM Campground.
F 81 Gravel begins, pavement ends.
F 85.5 Twelvemile Summit, elev. 3,190 feet.
F 107.1 Eagle Summit Wayside.
F 107.3 Eagle Summit, elev. 3,685 feet.
F 127.8 CENTRAL (pop. 96). Circle District historical Society Museum.
F 161.2 H.C. Company Store; food, groceries, gas, diesel.
F 161.4 CIRCLE (pop. 104), located on the Yukon River; camping.