Vehicles
Alaska has an unusually high rate of vehicle and aircraft ownership per capita, reflecting reliance on personal transportation across a roadless, spread-out state.
Households without a vehicle
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B08201 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 Residents | 950 | 850 |
- •Alaska has the highest number of registered aircraft per capita of any US state, largely small private planes used for daily transportation.
Public Transit
Public transit in Alaska is limited to bus systems in a handful of larger cities, supplemented by the unique statewide Alaska Marine Highway ferry system.
Workers commuting by public transit
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry Route Length (km) | 5600 | 0 |
- •The Alaska Marine Highway System covers about 5,600 km of coastal routes, serving as a floating highway for communities without road access.
Airports
Air travel is essential infrastructure in Alaska, and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport ranks among the busiest cargo airports on Earth.
Passengers boarded at all commercial airports in Alaska
2011–2025FAA Air Carrier Activity Information System, calendar-year commercial-service enplanements.
Passengers boarded at Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC)
2011–2025FAA calendar-year enplanements.
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Residents per Private Pilot | 58 | 450 |
- •Alaska has roughly one private pilot for every 58 residents, the highest rate of any US state.
Traffic
Traffic congestion is minimal in Alaska outside of Anchorage rush hours, a byproduct of the state's low population density and limited highway network.
Traffic fatalities
1994–2024NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), State Traffic Data.
Fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles
1994–2024NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), State Traffic Data.
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Hours Lost to Congestion (avg driver) | 10 | 51 |
- •Alaska's extremely low population density, about 0.5 people per square km, keeps statewide traffic congestion among the lightest in the nation.
Commuting Patterns
Alaskans enjoy one of the shortest average commute times in the country, reflecting compact communities and limited long-distance highway commuting.
Mean travel time to work
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, aggregate travel time ÷ workers not working at home, B08013/B08012 (2020 not released).
Workers who drive alone
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average Commute Time (minutes) | 19.5 | 26.8 |
- •Alaska's average commute of about 19.5 minutes is roughly a third shorter than the national average of 26.8 minutes.
Infrastructure
Extreme geography leaves about 82% of Alaska communities without road access, forcing reliance on aircraft, ferries, and the Alaska Railroad instead.
Bridges in poor condition
2000–2025FHWA National Bridge Inventory, Bridge Condition by Highway System (as of June each year).
Bridges in good condition
2000–2025FHWA National Bridge Inventory, Bridge Condition by Highway System (as of June each year).
Total highway bridges
2000–2025FHWA National Bridge Inventory, Bridge Condition by Highway System (as of June each year).
Vehicle miles traveled
1994–2024FHWA vehicle miles traveled as published with NHTSA FARS (fatalities ÷ fatality rate per 100M VMT).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Communities Without Road Access (%) | 82 | 1 |
- •Juneau, Alaska's capital, is the only US state capital that cannot be reached by road.