Alaska State Fair

We will be driving from Seward to the Matanuska Glacier area on August 29th (passing through the Palmer area late afternoon), then to Denali on August 30th (passing through mid afternoon). Will the Alaska State Fair have a significant impact on driving times?

While the fair parking entrances are about a mile off the highway. The Glenn can still get pretty backed up in the mid-late afternoon for all the concert goers and everyone who was leaving during the day. That being said the traffic isn't that bad and you're going on weekdays so it should lighten the load a bit.

To answer your question, it may add 15 minutes on the 29th because you're going with the traffic but shouldn't add too much the next day.

Going to north to the Glacier, you can detour around by staying on the Parks Highway and taking the Trunk Road exit. Take that north to Palmer Fishhook, turn right and then rejoin the Glenn Highway. You could also take the Old Glenn Highway exit just before the Knik River and detour out through the Butte.

Coming south from the glacier headed to Denali, turn right at the first light you hit coming into Palmer. This will be Arctic Avenue. Take that to Trunk Road and turn south and rejoin the Parks Highway.

While the fair parking entrances are about a mile off the highway. The Glenn can still get pretty backed up in the mid-late afternoon for all the concert goers and everyone who was leaving during the day. That being said the traffic isn't that bad and you're going on weekdays so it should lighten the load a bit.

 

To answer your question, it may add 15 minutes on the 29th because you're going with the traffic but shouldn't add too much the next day.

Thanks, I was more concerned about the 30th - good to hear my drive won't be impacted much!

Going to north to the Glacier, you can detour around by staying on the Parks Highway and taking the Trunk Road exit. Take that north to Palmer Fishhook, turn right and then rejoin the Glenn Highway. You could also take the Old Glenn Highway exit just before the Knik River and detour out through the Butte.

 

Coming south from the glacier headed to Denali, turn right at the first light you hit coming into Palmer. This will be Arctic Avenue. Take that to Trunk Road and turn south and rejoin the Parks Highway.

I just printed these instructions out, thanks!