Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel (Whittier Tunnel)

The main way to see and experience the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is to drive yourself—and most travelers do rent a car if they want to go through the tunnel. There are some group tours offered from Anchorage to Whittier, or of Prince William Sound, that will use the tunnel during the tour route.

• It can sometimes take drivers one full hour to get through the tunnel since there can be wait lines to get into it—you may want to plan for more time in the summer, too. It only technically takes around 10 minutes to drive once you’re allowed through.

• Vehicles are allowed in from the Whittier side every hour on the hour, and on the Anchorage side every hour on the half-hour mark, but keep in mind it only opens to allow people through for 15 minutes at a time.

• If you want to get to Whittier by vehicle, the tunnel is the only way to get there.

Most travelers set off from Anchorage: Start by heading south on Seward Highway for about 50 minutes, then turn onto Portage Glacier Road and continue until you reach the tunnel’s entrance. If you don’t want to drive yourself, but still want to go through the tunnel, consider hiring a private car service to take you through, or join a tour that includes travel through the tunnel.

Usually heading to the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in the early slot times will help you avoid the crowds and the long lines that can be waiting, especially if you’re taking the tunnel into Whittier. Just make sure to check the schedule ahead of time to make sure the tunnel is open to use that day.

While stopping in Whittier, a Prince William Sound cruise offers a close view of glaciers and the surrounding Alaskan wilderness. Afterward, pop into the Prince William Sound Museum for a deep look into the history of the city—don’t miss the Dynamite Kings exhibit that features the story of the Whittier Tunnel.