10-Day Alaska Summer Itinerary
This sample 10-day itinerary offers a relaxed journey through Southcentral Alaska, giving you more time to experience some of the state's most iconic destinations. From Denali and Talkeetna to Seward, Homer, and Girdwood, it combines scenic drives, wildlife, glaciers, and memorable local experiences while keeping driving days comfortable and enjoyable.
Like all of our sample itineraries, this is simply an example. Every trip we create is personalized, so we'll tailor your itinerary to your interests, travel style, budget, and the amount of time you have available.
Exploring Denali National Park
Denali flightseeing
Scenic drives through Alaska’s mountain landscapes
Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise
Homer and Kachemak Bay
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Glacier experiences
Wildlife viewing
Time in Alaska’s small coastal communities
Itinerary Highlights
Popular Additions:
Brown bear viewing in Katmai National Park
Guided salmon or halibut fishing
Helicopter glacier dog sledding
Kayaking in Kachemak Bay
At a Glance
Duration: 10 days in Alaska (+ arrival/departure travel days)
Best for: Travelers who want to see Alaska’s highlights with more time to explore
Starts/Ends: Anchorage
Driving: Approximately 1100 Miles
Overnight Stops:
Anchorage (1)
Talkeetna (1)
Denali (2)
Palmer (1)
Seward (2)
Homer (2)
Girdwood (1)
Route Map
Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Approximate driving time: 40 Minutes (plus time for stops)
Welcome to Alaska! After arriving at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, pick up your rental car and head to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a chance to begin exploring Alaska's largest city before setting off on tomorrow's drive north.
If the weather is clear, consider visiting Glen Alps Overlook for views across Anchorage, Cook Inlet, and the surrounding mountains. You could also spend some time exploring downtown Anchorage or one of the city's parks before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
After a good night's rest, you'll be ready to begin your Alaska adventure.
Day 2: Anchorage to Talkeetna
Approximate driving time: 2.5–3 hours (plus time for stops)
Today you'll leave Anchorage behind and head north to the town of Talkeetna. Along the way, consider taking the scenic detour to Hatcher Pass, where you can explore the historic Independence Mine and enjoy one of Alaska's most picturesque mountain landscapes.
Continue to Talkeetna, a small town known for its local shops, galleries, and relaxed atmosphere. If the weather is clear, you may catch your first views of Denali along the drive or from town itself.
Spend the afternoon exploring Talkeetna before enjoying dinner at one of the town's locally owned restaurants and settling in for the night.
If you're interested in seeing Denali from above, Talkeetna is one of the best places in Alaska for a scenic flightseeing tour. Read our guide to Denali flightseeing tours.
Day 3: Talkeetna to Denali
Approximate driving time: 2.5–3 hours (plus time for stops)
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Talkeetna before continuing north toward Denali National Park. If you didn't have a chance to visit yesterday, stop by the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station to learn more about Denali, the area's mountaineering history, and the national park.
As you continue north, consider stopping in Denali State Park. On a clear day, Denali State Park offers some of the best views of the Alaska Range and Denali, and if you'd like to stretch your legs, there are several hiking trails to choose from.
After arriving in the Denali area, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring before dinner. You'll spend the next two nights here, giving you plenty of time to experience one of Alaska's most iconic national parks.
Learn more about what to see and do in our guide to visiting Denali National Park.
Day 4: Denali National Park
Approximate driving time: 30 minutes (plus time for stops)
Today you'll begin by visiting the Denali Visitor Center, where you can learn more about the park's history, wildlife, and the different ways to explore. The rangers can provide helpful information about current conditions, hiking options, and what to expect during your visit.
The first 15 miles of the Denali Park Road are open to private vehicles, allowing you to explore at your own pace with opportunities for scenic stops and short walks. If you'd like to travel farther into the park, the East Fork Transit Bus is a great option for experiencing more of the park road while keeping an eye out for Alaska wildlife and enjoying the incredible scenery.
For travelers looking for a more active experience, guided hikes and other outdoor adventures are also available in the Denali area. We'll help choose activities that match your interests, comfort level, and the type of experience you're hoping to have.
Day 5: Denali to Palmer
Approximate driving time: 3.5–4 hours (plus time for stops)
Today you'll leave Denali and begin making your way south toward Palmer. Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel through the Alaska Range and into the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.
Along the way, there are opportunities to stop at scenic viewpoints, stretch your legs, and enjoy the landscapes that make this part of Alaska so special. Depending on your interests and timing, we can help you choose worthwhile stops to include along the drive.
If you're interested in glacier dog sledding, Palmer is one of the best places to add this unique Alaska experience. Read our guide to helicopter glacier dog sledding.
After arriving in Palmer, settle into your accommodations and enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by mountain views. This overnight stop breaks up the longer drive south and allows you to experience more of Alaska beyond the main destinations.
Day 6: Palmer to Seward
Approximate driving time: 3–3.5 hours (plus time for stops)
Today you'll continue south toward Seward, following one of Alaska's most scenic highways. The Seward Highway winds along Turnagain Arm, offering dramatic mountain and coastal views. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including mountain goats on the cliffs above the road and, if you're lucky, beluga whales in the waters below.
Continue over Turnagain Pass and descend toward the coastal community of Seward. Take your time with this drive and enjoy the viewpoints and landscapes that make this route one of the highlights of the Kenai Peninsula.
Once you arrive, spend the evening exploring Seward's charming waterfront. The harbor area is home to local shops, restaurants, and a scenic coastal trail with views of Resurrection Bay.
Day 7: Exploring Seward
Approximate driving time: 30 minutes
Today you'll explore one of the highlights of the Kenai Peninsula with a boat tour through Kenai Fjords National Park. The waters around Seward are home to an incredible variety of marine wildlife, and you may have the chance to see sea otters, whales, sea lions, puffins, and other species while learning more about the area's glaciers and coastal ecosystem.
After your cruise, consider visiting Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. A short, accessible trail leads toward the glacier, offering a chance to see the landscape shaped by ice and learn more about the glacier's retreat over time.
Planning your visit to Seward? Read our guide to the best things to do in Seward.
Day 8: Seward to Homer
Approximate driving time: 3.5–4 hours
Start your morning in Seward with coffee from one of our favorite local cafes. On a clear day, enjoy your coffee outside while taking in views of Mount Marathon before beginning the drive south toward Homer.
Continue along the Kenai Peninsula through small communities and scenic landscapes. In Cooper Landing, consider stopping along Kenai Lake to enjoy the turquoise waters and take a break from the drive. The area is also known for its connection to the Kenai River, one of Alaska's most famous salmon fishing destinations.
As you continue toward Homer, the landscape opens up with views across Cook Inlet. On a clear day, you may be able to see the volcanic peaks of the Aleutian Range rising across the water.
Arrive in Homer with time to explore the famous Homer Spit, a unique stretch of land extending into Kachemak Bay. Browse the local shops, enjoy views of the bay, and choose from several excellent restaurants featuring fresh seafood and local ingredients.
Planning your time in Homer? Read our guide to the best things to do in Homer.
Day 9: Exploring Homer
Approximate driving time: 30 minutes
Today is yours to enjoy Homer at your own pace. This is one of the best places in Alaska to slow down and choose an experience that matches your interests. You might take a flight to Katmai National Park for the chance to view brown bears, kayak in Kachemak Bay, explore the historic village of Seldovia, or spend the day on a guided fishing charter.
You can also spend time exploring the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile stretch of land extending into Kachemak Bay. Browse local shops, enjoy a meal with views of the harbor, walk along the beach, and take in the unique atmosphere of this coastal community.
Learn more about visiting Brooks Falls in our guide to bear viewing in Katmai National Park.
Day 10: Homer to Girdwood
Approximate driving time: 3.5 - 4 hours (plus time for stops)
Today you'll leave Homer and begin the drive north toward Girdwood. Take your time along the way and enjoy the changing landscapes as you travel from the coast of the Kenai Peninsula back toward the mountains.
A great stop along the way is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, located just before reaching Turnagain Arm. This nonprofit sanctuary provides a home for Alaska's orphaned and injured animals and offers the chance to see many of the species native to the state up close, including bears, moose, muskox, and caribou.
Continue along the scenic shores of Turnagain Arm before arriving in Girdwood, a small mountain community known for its outdoor activities, restaurants, and year-round access to the Chugach Mountains.
Day 11: Departure
Approximate driving time: 1 hour
After breakfast, begin the drive from Girdwood back to Anchorage for your flight home. Depending on your departure time, you'll have a little extra time to pack your bags, enjoy one final Alaska morning, and make your way to the airport.
We hope this sample itinerary has given you a glimpse of what ten days in Alaska can look like. Every trip we create is personalized, so we'll tailor your itinerary to your interests, travel style, budget, and the amount of time you have available.
Ready to start planning your Alaska adventure?
If this itinerary feels like the kind of trip you're looking for, we'd love to help you create one that's uniquely yours. Visit our Design Your Trip page to answer a few questions, and we'll begin creating a personalized itinerary built around your interests, travel style, budget, and the amount of time you have available.