The
Alaska Highway (also known as the
Alaskan Highway,
Alaska-Canadian Highway, or
ALCAN Highway) was constructed during
World War II for the purpose of connecting the
contiguous United States to
Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in
Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and runs to
Delta Junction, Alaska, via
Whitehorse, Yukon. Completed in 1942 at a length of approximately , it is long. The difference in distance is due to constant reconstruction of the highway, which has rerouted and straightened out numerous sections. The highway was opened to the public in 1948. Legendary over many decades for being a rough, challenging drive, the highway is now paved over its entire length.