I have driven several times in 1970's, and the best time was in the March time frame. Everything was frozen solid, and it was brutally cold, but the road was smooth as, well, ice. Road repairs for potholes consisted of filling them with water. In general it was so cold the ice was sticky. Under normal conditions ice, under the pressure from the contact patch under the tire, turns to water and thus the slickness. When it is cold enough that does not happen and the ice is not instantly slippery. Go too fast and lose traction though and it is not easy to recover.

But, you are traveling in the summer and this time of year the road used to be overrun with loggers. If it is still gravel it is truly brutal on the car, as the trucks turn the road into washboard that just shakes the car to hell. You find it difficult to pass trucks (nothing rumored about them chucking rocks at you as you get close enough to pass - it is constant) and the speed they travel does not coincide with a friendly frequency for your car.

I would get some good quality tires, and not load the vehicle down with extra weight on the off chance you are going to ruin a tire. If you get really bad mileage, you might want to bring some fuel. But if you get 350 miles to a tank, I would not worry. I don't remember but I think almost every station on the road carries Diesel.

Now if you have a few bucks, take the road to Prince Rupert and catch the Alaska State Ferry to Haines. Cuts a lot of wear and tear off the car and the trip is spectacular. You will stop a dozen times at small towns along the inland waterway and see mountains that fall to the sea all around you. Beautiful forests and just unreal scenery. The trip from Haines to the Alaska border is a few hundred miles and some, or most, should be paved by now.

The ferry system used to allow you to camp out on the deck, which was great. You claim a folding chair in the early evening and kind of camp out. I did this with buddies going up, and then years later with my wife and dog coming back (dog had to stay in the car, but you get to go down and take the dog for a walk at every port, which is usually about every 4 hours). The scenery was spectacular. Did I say the scenery was spectacular?

I also found the cost was worth not wrecking the undercoat, door panels, hood and windshield - an actual bargain.

Take your time. If you are going alone, really take your time. Good luck and I am envious.

Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)