Alaska Transportation

Alaska's road system covers a relatively small area of the state, linking the central population centers and the Alaska Highway, the principal route out of the state through Canada. (Most cities and villages in the state are accessible only by sea or air.) The state capital, Juneau, is not accessible by road, which has spurred several debates over the decades about moving the capital to a city on the road system.

The Alaska Railroad runs between Seward and Fairbanks. The railroad is famous for its summertime passenger services but also plays a vital part in moving Alaska's natural resources, such as coal and gravel, to ports in Anchorage, Whittier and Seward. The railroad offers one of the last flag stop routes in the country.

Alaska has a well-developed ferry system, known as the Alaska Marine Highway, which serves the cities of Southeast Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula. The system also operates a ferry service from Bellingham, Washington up the Inside Passage to Skagway. The Inter-Island Ferry Authority also serves as an important marine link in the Prince of Wales Island region of Southeast. Tourist sea travel is also popular on Alaska cruises.

Anchorage itself, and to a lesser extent Fairbanks, is served by many major airlines. Alaska Airlines--which serves Anchorage, Fairbanks, and regional hubs--is the only major airline offering in-state travel with jet service (sometimes in combination cargo and passenger Boeing 737-400s). Small regional commuter airlines provide the bulk of remaining commercial flights. The smallest towns and villages must rely on scheduled or chartered Bush flying services using general aviation aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan, the most popular aircraft in use in the state.

In areas not served by road or rail, primary summer transportation is by all-terrain vehicle and primary winter transportation is by snowmobile, or "snow machine," as it is called in Alaska.

Sterling Highway