Transportation

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Since operating the world’s first cable car in San Francisco in 1873, California has grown to establish a world-class globally connected transportation infrastructure. California’s tremendous economy travels across an extensive shipping, rail and trucking network. The state’s numerous port facilities carry one of the world's largest volumes of ocean trade and passenger transport, representing an essential thoroughfare for the nation's mounting role in Pacific Rim trade. The major ports of the state are located in the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles/Long Beach areas, though over 25 other major commercial ports are situated along the state’s coastline.

California ranks third in the U.S. for total rail miles (5,733 miles/9,226 kilometers), seventh for number of railroads (29), fifth for rail tons terminated (98,126,545), and eighth for rail tons originated (64,818,362). Amtrak serves the state with eight passenger routes, almost all running daily: the California Zephyr (Chicago - Denver - Emeryville, CA (San Francisco)), the Capitol Corridor (Auburn - Sacramento - Emeryville - Oakland - San Jose), the Coast Starlight (Seattle - Portland - Los Angeles), the Pacific Surfliner (Paso Robles - San Luis Obispo - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles - San Diego), the San Joaquins (Oakland/Sacramento - Bakersfield), the Southwest Chief (Chicago - Albuquerque - Los Angeles), the Sunset Limited (Orlando - New Orleans - Houston - Los Angeles), and the Texas Eagle (Chicago - St. Louis - Dallas - San Antonio - (Los Angeles)).

Ranking first in the country for the number of registered civil aircraft, California has nearly 300 airports. International airports include the Los Angeles International Airport, the Oakland International Airport, the San Diego - Lindbergh Field International Airport, and the San Francisco International Airport. Edwards Air Force Base, 90 miles (145 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, is home to the world’s longest runway (7.5 miles/12 kilometers), used for space shuttle landings.

The state’s extensive highway system is comprised of 16,662 miles (26,815 kilometers). Two famous routes include cultural icon Route 66, running from Chicago to Santa Monica since 1926, embodying the American dream and the country’s roadside culture, and scenic coastal Highway 101 running from San Diego north through California, Oregon and Washington. The state takes vehicular safely seriously, with tough vehicle safety laws (especially for children), high seat belt usage rates, and one of the lowest rates of vehicle fatalities in the nation. Struggling to relieve congestion from its numerous roadways, California has established light rail public transportation systems in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose.

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