An independent guide for Alaskans
Moving Out of Alaska: The Complete Guide to Moving to the Lower 48
Practical, sourced guidance for the whole change: deciding, planning, shipping or driving the ALCAN, and settling in somewhere new.
The five phases
From deciding to settling in
- 1DecideLeaving Alaska is rarely just a logistics question.
- 2PlanA move from Alaska needs more lead time than most interstate moves.
- 3Ship & DriveThis is the part that makes an Alaska move unlike any other.
- 4Money & LegalAlaska has no state personal income tax and pays the PFD.
- ★MilitaryOrders out of JBER, Fort Wainwright, Eielson, Fort Greely, Clear or a Coast Guard station come with their own rules.
- 5Arrive & SettleThe truck leaves, and a new chapter starts.
Free planning tools
- Personalized Move RoadmapA dated, week-by-week plan filtered to your household.
- AI Moving ChecklistA personalized, dated checklist from your destination, date and home size.
- Cost EstimatorRough ranges for full-service, container or driving the ALCAN.
- ALCAN Trip PlannerDay-by-day route outline, border reminders and an emergency kit.
- Mover Lookup & Safety ChecklistVerify a mover's USDOT number with FMCSA before you sign.
Start with these guides
- How Moving From Alaska to the Lower 48 Actually WorksFour realistic ways to get a household from Alaska to the contiguous U.S., and how to choose between them.
- Driving the ALCAN Out of AlaskaWhat to expect on the Alaska Highway, and how to plan a safe drive to the Lower 48 in any season.
- Crossing the Canadian Border When You Life After AlaskaWhat to know before you pull up to the Canadian border with a carload of your life.
- Shipping Your Car From Alaska to the Lower 48Ports, paperwork, prep and the ship-drive-or-sell decision.
- The PFD and Leaving AlaskaHow the Permanent Fund Dividend works in the year you leave, and why timing and intent matter.
- Moving Pets Out of AlaskaHow to get dogs, cats and other animals to the Lower 48 safely, whether you fly, drive or sail.
Where are you headed?
State-by-state guides are on the way. For now, estimate your costs for any destination.
Mover Safety Center
Check before you sign
Look up a mover's USDOT number, learn the difference between movers and brokers, and spot the red flags of a moving scam.
Open the Safety CenterLeaving Alaska, one email at a time
A short series of practical emails timed to your move, from the first big decisions to your first weeks in the Lower 48.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to move out of Alaska?
It depends on how much you're moving and where. Downsizing, using a self-pack container, or driving the ALCAN can all lower costs. Compare methods with our cost estimator and get written estimates.
Do I have to drive through Canada to leave Alaska?
No. Your belongings can ship by sea to the Tacoma–Seattle area, and you can fly. Only road routes cross Canada.
Do I still get my PFD if I move?
It depends on official residency and intent rules for the qualifying year and the time you apply. Read our PFD guide and check with the PFD Division.