# Non-Continuous Road Networks? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 16, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784 "2006-07-16T23:28:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/1 "2006-07-16T23:28:14Z")
The genesis of this was the question about driving to Alaska combined with a few other comments over the years. Nearly every point in North America that has roads is accessible by road from nearly everywhere else, though having a large SUV, off-road vehicle, etc., may be appropriate for some of them. Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, and the Yukon are connected to the main Canadian road network, which links all eight “mainland” provinces and PEI, and is tied into the network connecting almost everywhere in the 48 contiguous states of the U.S. And this in turn connects with Mexico and that in turn with the Central American nations. (Border crossing problems are not an issue here; we’re talking merely physically drivable connections.) I noted in that Alaska thread that there was a small road network around Nome, Alaska, connectiong a few outlying settlemetns with Nome, that did not itself connect to any other roads. I indicated I believed there were other examples, and someone noted that only two of the Southeast towns were linked to the Canadian road network, the others having streets in town and perhaps to small outlying areas but without connections to the rest of the North American road network. There were a few other examples from around Alaska as well. There is a hamlet named Stillwater (one of three of that name) in Herkimer County, New York, which has a small road network to neighboring camps, but the only access to those roads is by boat across the reservoir on which it lies; none of them tie to any other roads. At one time the roads of Labrador were not connected by land to anywhere else, accessing them from elsewhere being by ferry. I gather, however, that there is now a connection through Gagnon, QC, and Labrador City. Obviously there will be places like Marthas Vineyard, Catalina Island, and so on, that are only accessible by ferry because of lying on an island. But I am wondering what other examples there are, if any, of segments of road that are not connected to the main highway grid in North America. I have a hunch the answers may be very interesting from a cultural standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2006, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/2 "2006-07-16T23:59:08Z")
A British example, perhaps the only one not on an island, is [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrour\_railway\_station]Corrour, where the remote railway station is linked to a hotel and youth hostel only by private tracks. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/3 "2006-07-17T00:36:25Z")
If you mean places where you have to take a ferry to access, there are various islands. For instance, [Shelter Island, NY](http://tinyurl.com/mnv4l), and [Fishers Island, NY](http://tinyurl.com/36km9), cannot be accessed by road, and Fishers Island cannot be accessed from New York State at all unless you fly (the ferry comes from Connecticut). There’s also [Block Island, RI](http://tinyurl.com/mnv4l), and Nantucket, MA. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/4 "2006-07-17T00:37:09Z")
Juneau, AK and “suburbs” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/5 "2006-07-17T01:38:17Z")
In some strip mining areas of Kentucky (other states, too, I guess) the mine sites are connected by private roads. In fact, there’s plenty of motorized equipment (trucks, bulldozers, etc.) that isn’t even licensed, because they never operate on public roads. Since you can’t get to that private road network, I guess it counts as “not connected to the highway grid.” ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/6 "2006-07-17T01:46:53Z")
You still can’t _really_ drive to Labrador; the [Trans-Labrador Highway](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Labrador_Highway) is barely passable in the winter, and is basically a gravel road over some sections. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/7 "2006-07-17T06:41:00Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] Juneau, AK and “suburbs” [/QUOTE] Ditto for Ketchikan. Also along the Pacific coast are two sections of coastal highway in BC just above Vancouver which you have to take ferries to get to. These ferry rides aren’t very long, mind you; just a few miles across some inlets. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > If you mean places where you have to take a ferry to access, there are various islands. The OP explicitly excluded islands. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/8 "2006-07-17T11:35:47Z")
There are a couple small towns on Lake Chelan in central Washington State that are only accessible by ferry. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/9 "2006-07-17T12:59:47Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] A British example, perhaps the only one not on an island, is [Corrour](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrour_railway_station), where the remote railway station is linked to a hotel and youth hostel only by private tracks. [/QUOTE] Another Scottish example is [Inverie](http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/knoydart/inverie/index.html), in Knoydart (map [here](http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=176625&Y=800015&A=Y&Z=4).) Although it is on the mainland, it can only be reached by ferry across Loch Nevis. There is a road linking Inverie with the neighbouring villages of Sandaig and Airor, but it is not linked to the rest of the UK road network. [Larger scale map giving an overview of the area.](http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=176625&Y=800015&A=Y&Z=5) The [Old Forge](http://www.theoldforge.co.uk/) pub in Inverie claims to be “Mainland Britain’s Remotest Pub”. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/10 "2006-07-17T15:21:24Z")
I used to write software to navigate road networks. When a group of roads is not connected to the ‘main road network,’ it’s called an island, whether or not it’s geographically an island. Teleatlas’ US network has in the low thousands of these islands (Alaska alone has over 400). _This is not counting ferry access - to us, a ferry was as good as a road._ ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/11 "2006-07-17T18:17:36Z")
There are oodles and oodles of small towns in Canada’s Arctic that aren’t connected to anything else – Iqaluit, Churchill, Moosonee, etc. In fact, I think that you can only drive to Hudson Bay at one point: [Chisasibi, Quebec.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisasibi_Settlement%2C_Quebec) ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/12 "2006-07-17T18:31:07Z")
The [Darién Gap](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dari%C3%A9n_Gaphttp://) is the 100-mile section of Panamian jungle where there are no roads between North and South America. Most places in the Canadian Arctic have already been mentioned: Churchill is connected only by a railroad track, and further north small planes are the only way to get in or out. Not exactly what the poster was asking about (since there are acceptable routes through the United States to bypass this) but the only road connecting eastern Canada to Western Canada (through Nipigon, Ontario) crosses a bridge over the Nipigon River, which is currently undergoing construction and has been reduced to one lane. [Cite](http://www.roadinfo.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/construction/maps/Contract.asp?No=6&No=2004-6021http://) ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/13 "2006-07-17T18:33:56Z")
Oof. Link: [Darién Gap](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dari%C3%A9n_Gap) ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/14 "2006-07-17T18:37:08Z")
Oof. I’m an idiot. [Cite for road construction.](http://www.roadinfo.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/construction/maps/Contract.asp?No=6&No=2004-6021) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2006, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/15 "2006-07-17T18:52:05Z")
[QUOTE=Baffle] The [Darién Gap](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dari%C3%A9n_Gaphttp://) is the 100-mile section of Panamian jungle where there are no roads between North and South America. [/quote] There are a few places within Darién, however, that have roads that are not connected to anywhere else, including La Palma, the provincial capital, and El Real. There are a few vehicles in La Palma; the last time I was in El Real, there was only one working car for the approximately 15 km of road. There are a number of other towns reachable only by river or sea, and which have streets which could potentially be driveable, but I am not aware of any vehicles there (Sambú, Jaqué, maybe Pinas Bay or Garachiné). ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/16 "2006-07-18T00:56:50Z")
There are no roads out of [Nunavut](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunavut) (asphalt or gravel) - unless you could ice roads. [Roads in Nunavut](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_roads_in_Nunavut): > [@](#): > > Proponents are pushing for a billion-dollar highway from Churchill, Manitoba to Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut, linking with Arviat, Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet. This highway along the west shore of Hudson Bay would be the first true highway into Nunavut from the provinces, although motorists from the south would have to transport their vehicles by railway from Thompson, Manitoba. > > An ice road from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to Contwoyto Lake, open for just one month per year, is the only surface vehicle access from the North American highway network that reaches across the Nunavut border, but there are no settlements at the end, only diamond mining operations and worker lodgings. Another Wikipedia article, [Highways in Nunavut](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highways_in_Nunavut) states: > [@](#): > > Contrary to popular belief that there are no roads in Nunavut, a few notable roads and highways do exist. An estimated total of 850 km of roads and highways are spread across the vast territory. > > Over the next decade the amount of roads in the territory is expected to increase rapidly as more communities are linked together, and a road link to Manitoba is at planning stage. > > Most vehicles in the Territory are moved from community to community and in and out of the Territory by large barges that move during the summer shipping season. Less commonly, vehicles may be flown in on a cargo plane. Car companies will usually fly vehicles in to test them in arctic conditions. > > There is currently one winter road that provides access to the western portion of Nunavut from the Northwest Territories during the months of February to March. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/17 "2006-07-18T01:51:33Z")
Just for kicks, I told Mapquest to plot a route between my home (in Michigan) and Hilo, Hawaii. Mapquest responded with: “We are having trouble finding a route for your locations. Please try modifying the information you entered.” It then asked me to change either the starting or ending point. I was kinda disappointed. I figured they’d try to send you to the closest accessable point or something. FTR, it apparently is possible to travel from Detroit to Juneau, Alaska by car. [It’s a bit of a hike, however.](http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&un=m&cl=EN&ct=NA&rsres=1&1ffi=&1l=&1g=&1pl=&1v=&1n=&2ffi=&2l=&2g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&1pn=&1a=&1c=Detroit&1s=mi&1z=&2pn=&2a=&2c=juneau&2s=ak&2z=&r=f) ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/18 "2006-07-18T02:32:39Z")
[QUOTE=Diceman] FTR, it apparently is possible to travel from Detroit to Juneau, Alaska by car. [It’s a bit of a hike, however.](http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&un=m&cl=EN&ct=NA&rsres=1&1ffi=&1l=&1g=&1pl=&1v=&1n=&2ffi=&2l=&2g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&1pn=&1a=&1c=Detroit&1s=mi&1z=&2pn=&2a=&2c=juneau&2s=ak&2z=&r=f) [/QUOTE] > [@Mapquest](#): > > 52: BROADWAY becomes ALASKA MARINE HWY / HAINES-SKAGWAY FERRY (Check ferry schedule / fares). > 53: Turn LEFT onto ALASKA MARINE HWY / JUNEAU / AUKE BAY-HAINES FERRY (Check ferry schedule / fares). I like how you have to “turn left” from one ferry onto the next. ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/19 "2006-07-18T04:19:38Z")
It’s only about 60 miles between a linked road (The Klondike Highway in Skagway) and the south side of Berner’s Bay (from which a road, Glacier Hwy, links to Juneau). This makes me wonder if anybody’s ever attempted a overland motor vehicle trip. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2006, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784/20 "2006-07-18T04:45:30Z")
The OP said that of course there are islands - but is there any harm in at least briefly mentioning them? I only ask because I think the San Juan islands in Washington State are pretty cool. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-continuous-road-networks/364784.md?page=2)