If you're looking for hot springs, you are coming to the right place.  Alaska and the Yukon have several mineral hot springs.

From Fairbanks, there are three developed hot springs within driving distance.

• Chena Hot Springs is the closest.  The scenic sixty miles of paved road (96 kilometers) from Fairbanks takes about an hour to drive, unless you stop along the way to fish, eat, or take pictures.  I've seen moose every time we've driven to Chena Hot Springs.
  
  The resort is open year-round, has an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, and hot tubs, as well as a whirlpool hot tub outside on their redwood deck.  All the water is piped in from the natural hot springs.  The sulfur in the water may cause damage to jewelery.  Be sure to leave your valuables in your locked car.  The small dressing room is open, and the floor is always wet.  Lockers are available to store your clothes.  You must provide your own locks.  The showers are hot water piped in from the springs.
  
  The area has other activities as well, volleyball, basketball, horse shoes, picnic areas, hiking, and ATVing.  RV parking is available with electric hookups, water, and a dump station.
  
  Next to the pool, overnight lodging a bar, and meals are available.  You can stay in the hotel or in one of the rustic trapper cabins.
  
  On our last visit, we could buy one $8 admission to the pool that is valid for the whole day.  Children under six are free.  Massage therapy is available, but we didn't take advantage of it.
  
  

  Chena Hot Springs Resort
  P.O.Box 58740, Fairbanks, AK, 99711
  Phone: (907) 451-8104 Fax: (907) 451-8151
  Toll Free: 1-800-478-4681 (US)
  
  Website:  http://www.chenahotsprings.com/
  E-mail:  chenahs@polarnet.com
  
  

  Chena Hot Springs has a private, gravel airstrip right next to the lodge.  It is surrounded on three sides by mountains, and I wouldn't recommend that an inexperienced pilot land at this one. 
  
  
  
• Circle Hot Springs (near the Arctic Circle) is about 162 miles from Fairbanks on the Steese Highway.  The road is paved until you get to the turnoff to the Hot Springs.  The last 9 miles are gravel.
  
  We haven't been there since we sold our Cessna 170B.  We could fly up, land on the strip next to the lodge, a van would come and rescue us from the mosquitoes, and drive us to the Olympic-sized outdoor pool.  After our swim, we'd fly home the same day.  Photo
  
  If you drive, I'd recommend you stay overnight.  There is lodging, meals, a bar, and RV parking available.  This resort is open year-round, but in the winter, sometimes the road is closed because of avalanches or heavy snowfall.
  
  The Circle Hot Springs 3600-foot gravel airstrip is maintained by the State of Alaska.  The elevation is 956 feet and is unattended.  In spite of the name, Circle Hot Springs is south of the Arctic Circle.
  
  Arctic Circle Hot Springs Resort
  Central AK 99730
  (907) 520-5113
  
  
  
• Manley Hot Springs is 152 miles up the Elliot Highway, a total of 163 miles from Fairbanks.  Only the first 30 miles are paved, 122 miles is gravel.  I've never swam in these hot springs, although I've landed on their grass strip.  The record high temperature for Manley is 93 F.  reported in July, 1969.
  
  The Manley Hot Springs gravel and grass airstrip is privately maintained, elevation 270 feet, and 2700 feet long.
  
  The only developed hot springs at Manley is privately owned and you can swim for about $5. Call ahead to be sure.
  
  Manley Roadhouse offers lodging, cabins, a bar, and home-style cooking.
  
  
  

If you are driving up the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek, B.C.,

• Don't miss Liard Hot Springs at Milepost 477, about two hours north of Watson Lake.  My family likes to stay overnight in the campground.  It's free to use the springs.  Camping is about $15.
  
  
• Takhini Hot Springs is near Whitehorse.  Turn onto the Klondike Highway at Milepost 894.8 and drive about 4 miles (6 kilometers) to Takhini Hot Springs Road, and then it's six miles (9.7 km) to the springs. The springs are open year round, and the water contains mainly iron, calcium, and magnesium, but no sulfur. The last time we were there, the restaurant overlooked the pool. Camping is available. We stayed at a hotel in Whitehorse and drove over for a swim and back to the hotel in one evening.

When you drive to any of these places, keep your headlights on at all times for safety.

As far as I know there's only one road from Canada to Fairbanks, the Alaska highway.  If you're asking about routes between Montana and Dawson Creek, B.C.  , I'd pick the shortest route.  It's a long drive, and you'll see plenty of scenery along the way.

Should we go to Seattle, Washington, and then north?

Keith drove up the Cassier Highway in a van, and he said he'd *never* do it again.  The route from Washington just adds unnecessary miles to your trip.  The only reason to go to Seattle is if you are getting on the ferry.  I'm assuming you are on a limited budget, and that you don't have time for side trips.  If I'm wrong, then by all means go the long way.  *grin*

You could go from Miles City, MT, to

Regina --> Saskatoon --> Edmonton --> Grande Prairie --> Dawson Creek

The roads in Canada are good, and they have really nice camp sites.

Use your Milepost!  It has great maps.  You could check out Map Quest.

Edmonton has a HUGE mall, purportedly the world's largest. 

Be sure to stop at Liard Hot Springs, Mile 477 on the Alaska Highway.  It's free to use the springs.  Camping is about $15.

Fuel

Gasoline in Fairbanks is $1.45 per gallon.  Canada measures gasoline in liters.  One gallon U.S. is approximately 3.8 liters.  One liter is .26 gallon.  So if you pay $1.00 for a liter of gas, that's $3.80 Canadian.  However, the exchange rate for US Dollars to Canadian dollars gives you more Canadian dollars.

Canadian Currency Exchange

According to this site, the currency exchange rate is 1 USD = 1.5877 CAD.  This rate changes daily.  You will not get that rate at gas stations and shops along the way.  For the best rate of exchange, convert your dollars to Canadian money at a bank.

(I knew I should have paid more attention in math class!)

Canada uses Kilometers to measure distance.

A website for figuring distances is here.

Road Conditions

My parents have driven a motorhome from Indiana to Fairbanks three times.  The last trip was 2000.  Our family also drove up in a car pulling a boat in 1961, and down with a truck pulling a camper in 1965.  My Dad tells me that the roads are eminently better now than they were years ago.

Fairbanks

Internet Access

Let me know when you get here, and we'll have lunch.  The Noel Wien Library has free Internet access.  It's on the corner of Airport Way and Cowles (right down the road from McDonald's).

or

We can meet at Cafe Latte.  There's a computer there, too.  It's on Sixth Avenue between Cushman and Lacey Street.  Cafe Latte has great coffee and home-baked goodies, sandwiches, and soups.  If Wendy or Jennifer is working, have them call me and I'll come right down.

Motorhome Parking

The library has a huge parking lot.  Next to Cafe Latte is a big parking lot.  It belongs to the city for their parking.  There is limited parking on the street for a motorhome.  Motorhome parking is available next to the Catholic Church just over the Cushman Street bridge. 

Alaskaland has overnight parking for motorhomes that don't need hookups.  It's a good place to spend your first night when you are tired and don't feel like driving all over looking for something.  There is an overnight charge for parking there.  Alaskaland is on Airport Way, too, (right down from McDonald's *grin*)

Directions

When you pass Eielson AFB, you are bout 30 miles south of Fairbanks.  Then you'll pass through North Pole.  Don't get off at the Mitchell Expressway if you want to go into Fairbanks.

Library, Alaskaland, or Fast Food

When you get to town, turn left on Airport way to go to

• Noel Wien Public Library
• Shopper's Forum Mall (no groceries)
• Alaskaland
• Salmon Bake
• Movie Theater
• McDonald's
• Wendys
• Burger King
• Pizza Hut
• Chinese Food
• Univeristy Center Mall
• Safeway Grocery Store
• Fred Meyer Super Center

All these businesses are right on Airport Way, but you will have to get onto the access road at one of the traffic lights.  Except for the library, you can drive past the place you want, and then turn onto the access road at the next stop light.

Cafe Latte

Turn right on Noble street if you want to check out Cafe Latte.  Sixth is one way, so you will need to turn left on 7th and go around the block.  Turn right on Lacey.  Turn right on Sixth.  Cafe Latte is in the middle of the block.

If you want more detailed directions to somewhere, let me know.  I drove by River's Edge campground this week.  It wasn't open yet, and the whole place was piled with snow.  The sun is up until around 9:30 p.m. now so the snow might be melted by the time you get here.

I wish you success and smooth driving!