Transportation
Industry
Snapshot | Economy/Cost of
Living
Education
| Recreation & Entertainment
| Geography & Climate
History | Suggested Reading List
Delaware's central location on the Atlantic seaboard assures easy access to major eastern hubs. The
main artery through the state is Interstate 95, running from Philadelphia at the northern border to the
Maryland border south of Newark. The spur I-295 connects with the New Jersey Turnpike, which leads to
New York and New England. Major U.S Highways include 1, 9, 13, 40, 113, 202, and 301. Many state
highways innervate the First State.
Delaware is the only state lacking commercial air service. However, its infrastructure does
accommodate commercial and corporate aircraft in a number of public and private airports. Two of the
largest airports are New Castle Airport
(ILG) and Sussex County Airport (GED).
Passenger rail service to Delaware is provided by Amtrak,
whose Boston-to-Newport News "Regional" route passes through Wilmington and Newark.
Norfolk Southern operates the
major Class I freight railroad running through Delaware. CSX
Corporation operates a Class I railroad through northern New Castle County. Short line operators
include Delaware
Coast Line Railway and Maryland & Delaware Railroad.
Despite its diminutive size, Delaware offers a few fine public transportation options to its
commuters. Wilmington is home to the DART
First State, which provides statewide transportation services including over 320 buses and over 60
bus routes. Additionally DART First State offers commuter rail services in New Castle County to and
from Philadelphia. Philadelphia is also connected to Delaware via its Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) transit agency, with the
R2 Regional Rail line connecting to the New Castle County cities of Claymont, Wilmington, Churchmans
Crossing, and Newark.
Delaware's location along the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay presents water transportation and
freight options. The Port of Wilmington
is a major Mid-Atlantic import/export gateway for maritime cargoes and trade, offering a full-service
deepwater port and marine terminal handling over 400 vessels annually. It is the busiest terminal on
the Delaware River. Three ferries also operate in the First State. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is a 17 mile (27.3 kilometer), 80 minute crossing over
Delaware Bay between Lewes and Cape May, New Jersey. The Woodland Ferry crosses the Nanticoke River and is the last cable-operated ferry in
the state. The Three Forts Ferry provides
service between Fort Mott in New Jersey, Fort Delaware State Park on Pea Patch Island, and Delaware
City in Delaware.
Intercity bus lines serving Delaware include Greyhound
and Peter Pan Bus Lines.
Related Resources
Back to Destination Delaware
|
