Transportation & Infrastructure Guide
Public transit, airports, and getting around in United States
Public Transport
Road Infrastructure
Public Transport
5.8/10Good public transport in major cities like NYC (subway), Chicago (L train), and San Francisco (BART) with frequent service. Bus networks cover most urban areas; Amtrak provides intercity rail but no true high-speed. Limited integration and coverage in suburbs/rural areas; expansions ongoing in 2026 (e.g., LA light rail, BRT lines).
Road Infrastructure
7.2/10Extensive Interstate Highway System (major highways nationwide) with good quality and maintenance in most areas. Urban roads vary; some congestion and aging bridges noted. Ongoing investments via IIJA ($247B committed by 2025) for widening, safety upgrades (e.g., I-40 NC, I-97 MD). Traffic management improving.
Internet Speed
7.8/10Strong broadband with average fixed speeds around 250 Mbps in 2025-2026. Extensive fiber deployment in urban/suburban areas; rural gaps persist but closing via investments. Mobile data excels with high 5G speeds.
Avg: 250+ Mbps • Widespread in cities (50%+ households), expanding rural via BEAD program; gigabit common in metros
Airport Connectivity
9.8/10World-class network with 32,038 total airports, 903 major (large/medium) serving extensive domestic/international routes. Major hubs connect globally; excellent coverage for such a large nation.
Hubs: Atlanta (ATL), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), New York JFK (JFK), Miami (MIA)
Transportation Costs
- Metro Pass
- $100-130/month (NYC, Chicago, DC)
- Bus Trip
- $2.50-3 single ride (most cities)
- Taxi
- $3-5 start + $2.50-3/mile (varies by city)
- High-speed Train
- Acela NYC-DC $100-300; Amtrak intercity $50-200
Mobile Network
Highly reliable networks with top global 5G speeds (200+ Mbps median). Strong signal even in rural areas; minimal outages.
Driving License
Foreign licenses valid 3-12 months (state-dependent) with IDP recommended/required. Right-hand driving. Long-term residents must convert to US state license via tests after validity period.
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