Interview with Thomas, a Professional Photographer: 3 Months on the Road in Canada & Alaska

Roadtrip Canada is a promise of scale: long distances, raw weather, and the kind of light that makes photographers quietly obsessed. In this interview, Thomas Hucteau—traveler and professional photographer—looks back on his three-month loop through Canada and Alaska. He talks about why he left when he did, how he planned without over-planning, what it’s like to live out of a vehicle for weeks, and the moments that stayed with him: gravel roads in fog, wildlife encounters, and the pull of the far North. If you’re dreaming of wide-open spaces and a roadtrip Canada and Alaska that feels real, this is the kind of testimony that helps.

“I wanted to build a real photo library—and live the trips I’d been dreaming about.”

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

My name is Thomas Hucteau. I’m almost 26 and I live in Toulouse. I studied engineering (design/calculation), but for the past two years I’ve been working as a photographer. I exhibit my work, enter competitions, shoot event reports, and sometimes work with magazines. Right now, I’m doing Christmas markets to present my prints, and I’ve also produced calendars and greeting cards as part of my projects.

When did you leave, and what was the reason behind the trip?

I came back from my latest trip at the end of August after three months in Canada and Alaska. Over the last two years, I’ve been building a combined photography-and-travel project: cycling to the North Cape, Australia, then Canada and Alaska. I chose to go before fully settling into work because it felt like the right moment—and because I knew I wanted to live these roadtrips in my life.

The goal was twofold: collect strong images to build a substantial photo library (to enter contests more seriously, and approach publishers more easily), but also simply to do the journeys I’d been carrying for years.

Why Canada and Alaska?

I’ve always been drawn to big spaces: the U.S., Canada, Australia. I wanted to see them “before it’s too late.” I also love cold destinations—after the North Cape, Alaska felt like the obvious next step.

I saw sea ice for the first time in Deadhorse. It’s a fascinating region: black bears, grizzlies, bison, caribou… And I still dream of going even farther north—Greenland, Svalbard, maybe one day the North Pole.

Planning: “I define the strict minimum—then I adapt every day.”

Was your route fully planned in advance, or did you improvise?

When I plan a route, I really define the strict minimum. I leave for three months because that often matches the typical tourist visa timeframe. Then I book flights and the rental car.

The longest part is making a list of everything I want to see, then building a framework: stages, driving times, and how long I want to stay in each place. Once there, I follow that framework roughly. Sometimes I’m ahead, sometimes behind; I constantly adapt—detours, shorter stays, following my mood, and working with the weather.

Sleeping in the car gives you huge freedom. The only real constraint is keeping an eye on the loop so you can close it in time.

Vehicle choice: “Renting is simpler—and safer for breakdown risk.”

What vehicle did you use, and why?

So far, for all my trips I’ve rented a car locally. It’s simpler than shipping your own vehicle by boat, and it feels safer in terms of mechanical issues.

Budget-wise, for three months you should expect roughly €3,000 for the rental. I’ve driven a Dodge Charger and Challenger in the U.S., a Toyota Corolla in Australia, and for Canada and Alaska I had two 4x4s: a Jeep Cherokee and a big Ford Explorer—which I absolutely loved. Each time, the car matches the spirit of the country, and since I’m passionate about cars, it’s a real pleasure.

Highs, lows, and what the North teaches you

Your best memory from this trip? And the worst?

Once you’re home, the euphoria makes the bad memories fade. With time, I forget the tough hours driving on gravel in fog, punctures with “civilization” more than 200 km away, or spending hours on a flat spare tire.

In Alaska I hiked in Denali National Park, in the Canadian Rockies, and I also went to see the Chris McCandless bus. That was a powerful moment: about 40 km of difficult walking, with cold and dangerous river crossings. Reaching Bus 142 after days in the tundra, alone with myself—those are moments that stay forever. And of course, I’ll never forget the wildlife encounters I was lucky enough to have.

Across all your travels, what place did you prefer?

After three car roadtrips and two months cycling in Scandinavia, it’s hard to choose. I’m drawn to wide open spaces, but Nordic landscapes still pull me more strongly.

I’d say arriving at the North Cape in Norway after roughly 1,800 km by bicycle was simply magical. And driving the gravel tracks of the Dalton Highway in Alaska and the Dempster Highway in Yukon—those places and landscapes are truly impressive.

Advice for future Planet Riders

What advice would you give to future riders?

For me, a roadtrip is the best way to travel: so much freedom. Planning three months on the road can feel intimidating at first, but it’s absolutely doable.

After every trip you learn, the next one becomes smoother and more comfortable—but the key is to start. Once you’ve decided to go, the hardest part is already behind you. Live your dreams.

Planet Ride pro tip (fatigue & safety)

One rule we use when building long-distance itineraries: on remote gravel highways (Dalton/Dempster-style), plan your day around real average speeds and recovery. If you’ve already driven several hours, avoid “pushing” the last stretch in fog, crosswinds, or low light—this is when mistakes happen and when a puncture becomes a serious logistical problem. A slightly shorter stage often protects the whole trip.

See more of Thomas’ work

Want to explore Thomas’ photography in more detail? Visit his website, his blog, and follow his Facebook page.

Alongside his travels, he also offers custom prints, calendars, and greeting cards—feel free to reach out.

Mini-FAQ (Canada & Alaska roadtrip)

Do you need a 4x4 for a roadtrip in Canada and Alaska?

Not everywhere, but for iconic northern gravel routes (like the Dalton Highway in Alaska or the Dempster Highway in Yukon), a high-clearance vehicle is a comfort and resilience upgrade—especially with changing weather.

How long should you plan for a real roadtrip Canada loop?

Thomas’ benchmark is three months, which gives room for weather delays, detours, and longer stays. Shorter trips work too, but the North rewards time and flexibility more than tight schedules.

What’s the biggest practical risk on remote northern roads?

Distance compounds everything: a puncture, fog on gravel, or a flat spare can become hours of stress when you’re far from services. Build slack into your plan and keep your daily driving realistic.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This interview remains a solid reflection of what a long, self-driven northern trip feels like: distance, weather, and freedom shaped by a simple framework. What must be checked before leaving: entry requirements, road access/conditions on remote highways, and current rules for overnighting in vehicles and protected areas—these can change from season to season.