George Parks Highway

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"Alaska Route 3" redirects here. For the Interstate Highway route, see Interstate A-3.
Alaska Route 3 marker
George Parks Highway
George Parks Highway highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by Alaska DOT&PF
Length323 mi (520 km)
Existed1970s–present
Major junctions
South end AK-1 (Glenn Highway) in Gateway
  AK-8 (Denali Highway) in Cantwell
North end AK-2 (Richardson Highway) in Fairbanks
Highway system
← AK-2→ AK-4

The George Parks Highway (numbered Interstate A-4 and signed 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 Parks Highway near

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 metropolitan areas), the principal access to Denali National Park and Preserve and Denali State Park, and the main highway in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The route's Interstate designation is not signed; rather, its entire length is signed as Alaska Route 3.

It is a common misconception that the name "Parks Highway" comes from the road's proximity to the Denali state and national parks; it is in fact in honor of George Alexander Parks, governor of the Territory of Alaska from 1925 to 1933.[1] However, the aptness of the name was recognized when it was chosen.

Mileposts along the Parks Highway do not 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 is not 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 known as the Robert J. Mitchell Expressway in Fairbanks leading to the highway's junction with the Richardson Highway (AK 2).

Interstate Highway System[]

Not to be confused with Alaska Route 4.
See also: List of Interstate Highways in Alaska

Interstate A-4 marker

Interstate A-4

LocationPalmer to Fairbanks
Length323.69 mi (520.93 km)
Existed1976–present

George Parks Highway is part of the unsigned part of the Interstate Highway System as Interstate A-4.[2][3]

Exit list[]

The multi-lane Parks Highway is seen at right as it passes by a downtown Wasilla business.
The highway's bridge over Hurricane Gulch.
Milepost 238 signpost in McKinley Park. The signpost is located in a turnout adjacent to a bridge crossing the Nenana River and near the entrance to Denali National Park.
View of the Parks Highway in early autumn, looking northbound.
The northern terminus of the highway in Fairbanks. View looking easterly from just west of the South Cushman Street overpass.

In the "Mile" column, the first number is the actual mileage of the Parks Highway, and the second mile is based on the mileposts along the highway itself.
All exits are unnumbered.

BoroughLocationmikmDestinationsNotes
Matanuska-SusitnaGateway0.00–
35		0.00–
56		 AK-1 south (Glenn Highway)Interchange, East end of Wasilla freeway section
Trunk RoadInterchange
2.58–
37.58		4.15–
60.48		Fairview Loop / Hyer RoadInterchange
LakesSeward-Meridian ParkwayInterchange
Wasilla3.66–
38.66		5.89–
62.22		West end of Wasilla freeway section
Palmer-Wasilla Highway
Museum DriveTo New Wasilla Airport
HoustonBig Lake RoadTo Big Lake
Denali State ParkEntering Denali State Park
Exiting Denali State Park
DenaliCantwell AK-8 east (Denali Highway)Denali Highway continues a short distance west to the .
Denali National Park and PreserveEntrance to Denali National Park and Preserve
Fairbanks North StarCollegeWest end of Fairbanks freeway section
317.65–
352.62		511.21–
567.49		Geist Road / Chena Pump Road—University of AlaskaInterchange
318.81–
353.81		513.07–
569.40		Airport Way west— Fairbanks International AirportInterchange; Beginning of the Robert Mitchell Expressway
318.81–
353.81		513.07–
569.40		Airport Way eastInterchange; Southbound exit is via Old Airport Road
319.73–
354.73		514.56–
570.88		University Avenue
Fairbanks321.94–
356.94		518.11–
574.44		Peger Road
322–
357.95		518–
576.06		Lathrop Street
Cushman Street / Old Richardson HighwayInterchange; Northbound exit and southbound entrance; Access via 30th Avenue from northbound roadway and via 28th Avenue from southbound roadway
323–
358		520–
576		 AK-2 (Richardson Highway) – North Pole, Delta JunctionInterchange; Northbound exit and southbound entrance
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
  •       Incomplete access

See also[]

  • Blank shield.svg U.S. roads portal
  • Flag of Alaska.svg Alaska portal
  • Tornio Highway

References[]

  1. ^ "Parks Highway". Anchorage Daily News. July 16, 1975. p. 4.
  2. ^ Federal Highway Administration, National Highway System Viewer Archived 2007-08-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2007.
  3. ^ Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Dwight D. Eisenhower Interstate Routes Archived 2009-07-27 at the Wayback Machine, April 2006

External links[]

Route map:

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