Deadhorse is several miles from the Arctic Ocean. An oil company road leads north from town, but permits are required to travel on the road. The best thing to do is to sign up for a guided tour of the oilfields and the Arctic Coast. These will be available in Deadhorse, after you arrive. These tours start from Fairbanks and are limited to ten participants.
Tours cover the oilfield operations, the pipeline, and feature wildlife viewing along the coast.
You should make note of available places to purchase gasoline, and where to stay and eat along the way. This is a long, long haul, on an aggravating gravel road, with semi trailers having the right of way. The Dalton Highway begins 83 miles north of Fairbanks, and runs to to Deadhorse and the oilfields of Prudhoe Bay. This narrow, gravel highway travels through rolling, forested hills, across the Yukon River and Arctic Circle. You'll ride over the rugged and majestic Brooks Range, and descend the long slope to the Arctic Ocean.