The Scenic Byway In Alaska You Have To Travel At Least Once

People come from all over the world to see Alaska's stunning beauty, but if you live here, it's easy to take the jaw-dropping scenery for granted. One way to renew your appreciation for this beautiful place is by taking a scenic drive. Here's one that's easily accessible year-round: my favorite scenic byway in Alaska!

How long is the Seward Highway? The Seward Highway stretches 125 miles from Seward to Anchorage. Life Magazine named this stretch of road one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world.

It's also known as Alaska Route 9 and Alaska Route 1.

The highway starts at Seward, and is just two lanes wide. The road is located in the center of this photo, and you can see that it's just a few hundred feet from the Gulf of Alaska.

The highway passes through Seward and then travels north to the Chugach National Forest.

You'll enter the Chugach National Forest about five miles into your scenic drive.

This gorgeous national forest encompasses 6,908,540 acres, and of course you'll only see a small part of it, but it's incredibly picturesque.

The road follows alongside tracks for the Alaska Railroad, and the tracks cross back and forth along the way, so you'll go across several bridges.

The road skirts Kenai Lake for about five miles before traveling over Moose Pass.

Moose Pass sits at an elevation of 472 feet. During winter months it can be a little icy.

There's a tiny town here, with around 300 residents.

Tern Lake is another of the many beautiful sights you'll see during the 72-mile journey through this forest.

You'll also pass pretty meadows and witness stunning mountain views.

A little farther down the road, you'll reach Portage, and travel along the Turnagain Arm.

There's pretty much a scenic vista around every turn along this highway.

You'll leave the Chugach National Forest as the road turns north, toward Anchorage.

You'll start to see signs of civilization again as you reach the outskirts of Anchorage.

The highway continues on into the heart of Anchorage before turning east, where it becomes the Glenn Highway.

Turnagain Arm is absolutely stunning, no matter the season.

This is one of my favorite scenic drives in Alaska.

Some of the best sights on the Seward Highway are just minutes from Anchorage. If you’re a local, how easy it is to soak in the beauty!

The best sights on the Seward Highway just make you stop and stare.

It’s no surprise that it constantly tops the list of most beautiful byways in the world!

What are your favorite spots along this scenic byway in Alaska? Do you have a spot you like to go to? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to pack your road trip snacks!

If you're ready to plan a summer road trip, take a look at this one, which will take you to several hidden beaches.