This may make more sense, as people travel more between these cities. This also means that there is no road, no immigration offices and no way to legally exit or enter any of the countries. In 1987, long distance swimmer Lynne Cox swam from one island to the other in about two hours, although this was in the middle of August. So, one can technically walk from Alaska to Russia during the seasonal sea ice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2521 E Mountain Village Dr Ste B #780Wasilla, AK 99654, Copyright 2023 - The Alaska Frontier - All Rights Reserved, After living over 14 years in Alaska, Megan McDonald can confidently state that theres not much of the state on the road system that she hasnt visited. .The stretch of water between these two islands is only about 2.5 miles wide and actually freezes over during the winter so you could technically walk from the US to Russia on this seasonal sea ice. The last were Karl Bushby, and his American companion Dimitri Kieffer who in 2006 walked from Alaska to Russia over the Bering Straight in 14 days. The islands are not easily accessible, as they can only be reached by boat or plane, and there are no regular commercial flights or ferry services to the islands. If you climb up to the highest point of Little Diomede Island in Alaska, you can see up to 37 miles (60KM) of distance. Cortney Moore is an associate lifestyle writer on the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. [9] At the same time the road on the Russian side was extended by building the 2000-kilometer (1250 mi) Kolyma Highway. There have only been two such reported crossings. ALASKA NO LONGER REQUIRING TRAVELERS TO PRESENT NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST UPON ARRIVAL. We often think of Russia as being far away and on the other side of the globe, but at their closest points Russia and Alaska are only 53 miles apart! The Bering Strait is also an important transportation corridor, with several ports on both the Russian and American sides of the strait. From mainland Russia to mainland Alaska, the closest gap between them is only 55 miles (88KM). The bridge would also likely be divided by the Diomede Islands, which are at the middle of the Bering Strait. [3] The project was presented to the government of the Russian Empire, but it was rejected. If you were to run into trouble for any reason, you would be stuck out there without rescue. You then enter Russia by passing through their immigration checkpoint and getting a visa stamped on your passport. [27], Other observers doubt that this will be cheaper than container ships, bearing in mind that the cost for transport from China to Europe by rail is higher than by container ship (except for expensive cargo where lead time is important).[29]. Theoretically speaking, you may be able to drive from Russia to Alaska. Top 12 Things People Know Of AK, Alaskas Pika Township & Marmot Village | A Truly Rare Hike. You can even walk to Russia during winter. And, as the state's former Governor Sarah Palin once told ABC News, "they're our next-door neighbors. The narrowest distance between the mainlands of Russia and Alaska is a little less than 55 miles. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. [33], China's Belt and Road Initiative has similar plans, so the project would work in parallel for both countries. 1 The Bering Strait Bridge Representational image The Bering Strait crossing is one way to move from Russia to Alaska that is 620 miles long. This is because both islands are separated by the international date line. My name is Jeyn Dashner and I am the founder of WanderFever. Alaska and Russia are separated by a body of water called the Bering Strait, according to alaskacenters.gov. It is not possible to see continental Russia from Alaska across the open ocean. The channels clear of ice can become clogged with moving chunks of pan ice - so in those times, it would be theoretically possible to jump from chunk to chunk. [1] Tunnel names have included "TKMWorld Link" and "AmerAsian Peace Tunnel". [20], The nearest major connecting highway is the M56 Kolyma Highway, which is currently unpaved and around 2,000 kilometers (1,200mi) from the strait. But, you could certainly get a lot closer than that, and depending on where you're standing, you can actually see parts of Russia from land in Alaska. Can you still walk from Alaska to Russia? The water in the Bering Strait is very shallow, with an average depth of just 50 feet (15 meters). The short legal answer is no - unfortunately. ALASKA NO LONGER REQUIRING TRAVELERS TO PRESENT NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST UPON ARRIVAL Big Diomede is an 11.2-square-mile island that is a part of Russia and Little Diomede is a 2.8-square-mile. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Andrea Romano is a freelance writer in New York City. The stretch of water generally begins freezing over in the fall and by March, each year, it is covered in a thick sheet of ice. You cannot see continental Russia from continental Alaska; but if you were to be standing on Little Diomede (or Krusenstern Island), you could look across the water to see Big Diomede, (or Ratmanov Island.). (Guide), What Do 60 Degrees Feel Like? Distance From Russia to the United States: During the Cold War, the border here between America and the USSR was known as the "Ice Curtain." How far is Russia from Alaska? But the longer answer is that is it extremely difficult and dangerous but it has been down - by hiking, swimming, and rowing. If you lived 10,000 years ago, you could have walked across using the land bridge that once connected the two lands. That is because Alaska is closer to these countries. Secondly is the lack of immigration checkpoints. You cannot drive from Russia to Alaska. (Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2018/Gallo Images/Getty Images). In the picture below you can actually see the Diomede Islands, which from this vantage point the bigger island is actually Russia. Cox is the most notable of them all. However, since 2018, due to the ongoing melt of the Chukchi Sea, Bering Strait has gradually been passing its tipping point. We also discuss if Alaska is closer to Russia than the United States and also if you can travel from Alaska directly to Russia. Oct. 6, 2022, 12:58 PM PDT. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. These facilities are not available in the Bering Strait. . How Far Is Alaska From Continental United States? Obviously there was a land bridge in the Ice Age, and I imagine ice could have completely filled it in the Little Ice Age. If you calculate the direct distance between Ketchikan to Blaine, Wacom county, Washington, you are looking at about 1000 miles (1609KM) of direct distance. The eastern point of mainland Russia is Chukotsky District. However, it is impossible to walk over it because of the geographical and environmental conditions. So, can you walk from Russia to Alaska? Russian officials have recently made statements threatening to reclaim Alaska, which the U.S. bought from Russia in 1867, but it's possible President Vladimir Putin isn't interested. Can you walk from Alaska to Russia? One of those islands is controlled by Russia, and the other is controlled by the United States. But since they are parts of two different countries, the two islands are also in completely different time zones. [32] It is unknown who is expected to pay for the construction, although China has in other projects offered to build and finance them, and expects the money back in the end through fees or rents. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. On a clear day you may be able to see the Diomede Islands directly across from Wales, Alaska. The stretch of water between these two islands is only about 2.5 miles wide and actually freezes over during the winter so you could technically walk from the US to Russia on this seasonal sea ice. Some people may approach the question of distance between Russia and Alaska by simply identifying the closest possible distance. You may like this article: Is Alaska Bigger Than Texas? However, this railway is meant for freight and is too curvy for high-speed passenger trains. The Russians are engaged in a plot to encircle the Chinese in British Colombia. How Legit Is CheapOair Website? In Bering Strait, lies two small islands known as Big Diomede and Little Diomede. . Photo: Jerry Lamont. The closest distance between mainland Alaska and mainland Russia is just 55 miles. Even folks in Alaska don't feel close to Russia as Alsaka is massive and the parts of the state that are close are incredibly remote. Still, it is somehow more connected geographically to other countries, such as Canada or Russia. In that case, the Russian island of Big Diomede and the Alaska Little Diomede island are only 2.5 miles (4KM) wide from each other. [22], On the U.S. side, an estimated 1,200 kilometers (750mi) of highways or railroads would have to be built around Norton Sound, through a pass along the Unalakleet River, and along the Yukon River to connect to Manley Hot Springs Road in other words, a route similar to that of the Iditarod Trail Race. This is the distance between the Chukchi Peninsula in Russia and the Seward Peninsula of Alaska. You can travel from Alaska to Russia, but not through the Bering Strait. Alaska is one of those interesting places where it is part of the United States. How far is Russia from Alaska by plane? Although, it's probably not recommended to walk to these islands. Alaska is a state within the United States of America located in the far northwest of North America. Natives of Big Diomede in Siberia and Little Diomede Island in Alaska cross over to the other island by boat occasionally. You can physically take a boat from Alaska to Russia; however, it's not safe. Alaska has a subarctic climate, while Russia has a more diverse range of climates due to its large size. So, depending on the time of the year, you might actually be able to walk from the U.S. to Russia. The best is to probably take a flight, which will fly you from Anchorage to Moscow. In the other direction, the distance from Cape Alva in Washington state the city farthest west in the U.S. to Anadyr, Russia, which according to RussiaTrek, is the easternmost city in Russia, is about2,515 miles away. This is because the distance between the Big and Little Diomedes is only 2.5 miles (4KM). Russia is the biggest country by size in the world and spans from eastern Europe to Northeast Asia. You may theoretically drive from Russia from Alaska, although it may not be doable in a real situation. [10] Ten years later he organized the Inter-Continental Peace Bridge, Inc., a non-profit institution organized to further this proposal. Did you know that Russia and Alaska were so close? Proposed in 2007, the plan included provisions to build a 103-kilometer (64mi) tunnel under the Bering Strait, which, if built, would become the longest tunnel in the world,[25] surpassing the 60-kilometer (37mi) Line 3 (Guangzhou Metro) tunnel. However, at the narrowest point, they are separated by the Bering Strait. Follow her on Twitter @theandrearomano. According to a report in the Beijing Times in May 2014, Chinese transport experts had proposed building a roughly 10,000-kilometer (6,200mi) high-speed rail line from northeast China to the United States. The Bering Strait is between the Chukchi Peninsula in Russia and the Seward Peninsula of Alaska. (Hot Or Cold). The flight will be multi-leg, starting from Anchorage to Seattle, before you take a direct flight to Doha, Qatar. So technically, you can jump from one ice chunk to another, but it is still as dangerous. ", RUSSIAN AIRLINE AEROFLOT CREATES SPECIAL SECTION FOR PASSENGERS WHO WON'T WEAR MASKS. "Which means that in the winter when the water freezes, you can walk from the United States in only 20 minutes.". The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance between Russia and Alaska is 4,746 km= 2,949 miles. Can you walk between Alaska and Russia? Fox News Flash top headlines are here. If you drive from Alaska to the continental US, you may see 1768 miles (2845KM) of driving, which may take 33 hours. This is closer to the distance between Anchorage and Moscow, which is 4342 miles (6988KM). The Diomede Islands, which are located in the middle of the Bering Strait, are about 2.4 miles (4 kilometers) apart. However, it is possible to see some of the Russian islands in the Bering Strait from certain parts of western Alaska. The largest easternmost city in Russia in Vladivostok. No railways exist for over 3,200 kilometers (2,000mi) in any direction from the strait. It feels for both the Russians and Americans that the other country is a world away. (Image: NASA) It is located between the Chukchi Sea to the north and the Bering Sea to the south, and connects the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. [12], The weather also poses challenges to exposed steel. Roads on either side of the strait would likely have to cross tundra, requiring either an unpaved road or some way to avoid the effects of permafrost. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. [10] At that time he made a feasibility study of a Bering Strait bridge and estimated the cost to be $1 billion for the 50-mile (80km) span. Is Russia 55 miles away from Alaska? Can you walk from Alaska to Russia? The two land masses are separated by the Bering Strait , but scholars have theorized that this area was once a "land bridge" that connected the continents of Asia and North America. Second, you can also consider between major cities, and finally, between the capitals. In April 2007, Russian government officials told the press that the Russian government would back a US$65 billion plan by a consortium of companies to build a Bering Strait tunnel.[2]. However, if measured by the distance between the capital, the city of Anchorage is closer to Washington DC than Moscow. But if one does do it, be sure to learn some essential Russian phrases before going! The islands are about 2.4 miles (4 kilometers) apart and are divided by the International Date Line. If we use this criterion, Alaska is closer to the continental US than Russia. He is passionate about traveling and opening up the world for other intrepid explorers. By Julia Ainsley. In the video, laubandrew notes the close proximity of two islands in the Bering Strait that mark the division between Russia and the United States. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You may like this article: Whats The Longest River In North America? In 1958, engineer Tung-Yen Lin suggested the construction of a bridge across the Bering Strait "to foster commerce and understanding between the people of the United States and the Soviet Union". Can you walk across Alaska to Russia? And, for the most part, it is. The closest distance between Russia and Alaska is only 2.5 miles (4KM) between the Diomedes islands. The distance between these islands is about 2.5 miles. As President and co-founder of Alaska-based boutique media agency HuMu Media, she spends her work time writing, photographing, and traveling, and her off time writing, photographing, and traveling. Alaska may be about 1000 miles (1609KM) directly away from the continental United States. We just want it to run and , Your email address will not be published. This is because you need to leave Alaska from any point of exit with immigration and then enter Russia from any point of entry with immigration. Apart from this, crossing Russia to Alaska without special permission is illegal. The fastest direct flight from Alaska to Russia is 5 hours 45 minutes. But is it still possible to walk from Alaska to Russia on foot? The Man Who Tried to Walk from Alaska to China. Big Diomede island is only 2.5 miles (4KM) from Little Diomede island. According to AlaskaCenters.gov,the distance between mainland Alaska and mainland Russia is merely 55 miles. To determine the answer to this question, you may also need to consider several calculation methods, first is the direct distance. But certainly, there are other parts of the U.S. that can get you much closer to Russia besides points in Maine and Washington state. Russia and Alaska are divided by the Bering Strait, which is about 55 miles at its narrowest point. However, it would be extremely difficult to do so because of the harsh geographical and environmental conditions. The proposal was for a 90-year lease, and exclusive mineral rights for 8 miles (13km) each side of the right-of-way. How much would a bridge from Alaska to Russia cost? On the flip side, the distance is nearly 3,700 miles when measured from Alaska's southeastern border near Annette to the most . It is virtually impossible for a westerner to receive permission to arrive on the Russian shores of the Bering Strait . No, because there is not a single stretch of land connecting the two countries, although Russia is visible from Alaska. But, you could certainly get a lot closer than that, and depending on where you're standing, you can actually see parts of Russia from land in Alaska. The distance between these two cities is 909 miles (1493KM). Still, it shares a land border with Canada and a maritime border with Russia. There is an Bering strait between Alaska and Chukotka (Russia), and it's width is about 86 km. In 1998, Russian Arctic explorer Dmitry Shparo and his son Matvey became the first recorded humans to successfully cross the Bering Strait from Uelen in Russia to Cape Thompson, Alaska. There is no permanent settlement on Big Diomede island, with only a weather station. However, due to the gradual ongoing melt of the Chukchi Sea, it is nearly impossible to walk on the fragile sheet of ice. For ice to be able to sustain the weight of a car, it needs around 8-12 inches of ice. From the Brooks Range to McCarthy, Homer, and everywhere in between, every nook and cranny of Alaska is her always her new favorite place. Fun stories about food, relationships, the great outdoors and more. The stretch of water between these two islands is only about 2.5 miles wide and actually freezes over during the winter so you could technically walk from the US to Russia on this seasonal sea ice. No, the water between Russia and Alaska is only about 2.5 miles wide and actually freezes over during the winter so you could technically walk from the US to Russia on this seasonal sea ice.