Alaska is notorious for its vast and rugged terrain, making transportation an important factor in traversing the state. Residents of Alaska have access to a variety of transportation options, including both public and private services. Public transportation includes ferries, buses, and railroads that serve major cities as well as smaller towns. The Alaska Marine Highway System offers ferry services from Bellingham in Washington State to many towns throughout southeast Alaska, such as Juneau and Sitka. On land, the Alaska Railroad serves various locations between Fairbanks to Seward on the Kenai Peninsula. Additionally, the Anchorage People Mover provides bus services within Anchorage while connecting other communities in Southcentral Alaska with the city center. For those who prefer private transportation, air travel remains a popular option with several major airports located across the state or smaller regional airports connected with hubs like Seattle or Anchorage. Travelers can also take advantage of car rental companies situated in various locations that allow them more flexibility over their travels around Alaska.
The typical American commute has been getting longer each year since 2010. The average one-way commute in Alaska takes 18.8 minutes. That's shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
How people in Alaska get to work:
- 68.5% drive their own car alone
- 12.4% carpool with others
- 4.4% work from home
- 1.5% take mass transit