Tag Archives: snow

Hilltop Truck Stop, before heading north

Jack takes a break at Hilltop before heading down the road.  This is sped up very fast so you can see the daylight fade.  At some point the camera’s time clock locks up.

Hurry hurry wait

In this one and a half minute video, Jack drives over the pipeline then has to wait in back of another truck while a grader finishes clearing the road.  Then he continues on down the hill – you can see the grader on the left.  (Don’t forget, the video is in HD so don’t watch it blurry!)

How fast is Jack going?

Recently someone asked how fast Jack is driving in these videos.  The answer is, the fastest Jack drives on the Dalton is 55 miles an hour.  His truck is governed at 55, meaning it is programmed to be unable to go faster than that.  The speed limit of the Dalton Highway is 50 miles an hour, so he is given that extra 5 miles an hour in order to let him gain a little speed before going up the steep grades of the hills and mountains.

Of course he drives a variety of speeds.  Things he slows down for are curves, rough patches, frost heaves, and animals.  And when you see him meeting other trucks as a general rule he slows down to about 35.  That is for safety primarily, but also etiquette.

So here’s another video, this one of a night drive, which is what the Haul Road experience consists of most of the time in the winter.  (Don’t forget, the volume is loud.)