Trucking Jobs in Alaska

May 3, 2012

You think you have it bad with driving problems, how would you like to drive your truck on 414 miles of gravel road through ice and heavy snow? That is what happens if you haul your load on Alaska's Dalton Highway like Ice Road Truckers do.

This road goes over the famous Atigun Pass, which is 4,739 feet high and is located in the Brooks Range in Alaska. It is the point where the Dalton Highway crosses the continental divide and is Alaska's highest maintained roadway. Truckers on this road may be subject to avalanches during the winter and its weather conditions have forced many drivers off the road. One driver, John Taylor, who has driven the road approximately 2,990 times and states that at times his speed is 5 miles per hour.

The loads hauled over this route are mainly for the North Slope oil fields. They include such things as fuel, cars, groceries, heavy machinery, and equipment. This oil field is one of the largest in the U.S. and these goods have to be trucked over 414miles (a 14 hour trip) to reach this destination.

There are specific areas of this highway that are considered extremely dangerous. One of these is at Mile 75. It is called Roller Coaster Hill for a reason. The highway veers into a huge climb covered with ice. Other conditions that may be encountered are: snow gusts at 100 mph hour, blizzards, white outs, ice storms, and temperatures often reaching -40 degrees Celsius, all of which may strand a truck for a number of hours.

With this, the question arises "Why on earth would anyone take a trucking job under such conditions?" The answer is the money. With a salary of $120,000+ average for a 3-month season there are a number of hardy men do this hauling.

Various truck driving jobs are available in Alaska with Auto Truck Transport, Con-way Truckload, Covenant Transport, The Mason & Dixon Lines, and USA Truck. Depending on the company, owner operators, company drivers, and recent graduate, jobs are available. Some even offer training. These companies can be found on their Internet sites.

There is no doubt that this is a job only for people who are able to work under stressful and hazardous conditions. Things such as flat tires and other breakdowns can occur with no immediate roadside assistance. However, there are drivers who have worked here for many years and would not dream of going "down" to the states to work.

The majority of ice road truckers have a cabin or a home in Fairbanks or one of the other Alaskan cities. Cities in Alaska provide restaurants and recreational facilities just like the rest of the U.S., however there are differences not only in weather conditions, but daylight hours as well. People who live there love its vastness and the unique traditions of the residents. For those who like to fish, some of the most beautiful salmon in the world is caught in this area, and there is excellent hunting for a variety of game.

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Trucker To Trucker, LLC 13330 SR 17 Grovertown, IN 46531