The condition of the road varies during the course of the Summer Season (May-September), and travel is not advised during the Winter Months (November-April). If you do choose to drive down the McCarthy Road in the Summer you should keep the following in mind: It is a 60-mile gravel road. There are many potholes and frost heaves along the way. There are narrow sections of road and soft shoulders. Sharp rocks and old railroad spikes can cause flat tires, you should always travel with a spare. Landslides have been known to occur on certain sections of the road, blocking progress. Travel is slow going, and you shouldn’t go any more than ~35 miles per hour. Always allot more time to travel the road than you think you need, we recommend 2-3 hours from Chitina (where the road begins) to McCarthy. If you have questions about alternative transportation options in and out of the McCarthy/Kennecott Area, you can refer to our Transportation Page.