And, for the most part, it is. If you fly, a flight from Juneau to Seattle is 909 miles (1493KM) and may take around two hours and 13 minutes. The Bering Strait forms the maritime boundary between Russia and the United States, from 168 58 37 W longitude to about 65 40 N latitude, which is slightly south of the Arctic Circle. [26] It would be a faster, safer, and cheaper way to move freight around the world than container ships, supporters of the idea believed. The Russians are engaged in a plot to encircle the Chinese in British Colombia. No railways exist for over 3,200 kilometers (2,000mi) in any direction from the strait. In this article, we discussed how close Alaska is to Russia and how long it would take to walk between the two. Can you still walk from Alaska to Russia? With the two Diomede Islands between the peninsulas, the Bering Strait could be spanned by a bridge or tunnel. In contrast, the westernmost point of mainland Alaska will be Wales town. Still, it shares a land border with Canada and a maritime border with Russia. The Bering Strait is about 55 miles (90 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point and about 86 miles (138 kilometers) wide at its widest point. Although they are in close proximity to each other, the walk isn't quite so solid getting from the mainlands to the islands, especially in the dead of winter. Fun stories about food, relationships, the great outdoors and more. Perhaps one of the more well-known territories out there is Guam. If you measure by direct distance, then Alaska is closer to Russia. Russia is a large, transcontinental territory, spanning Eastern Europe to Northern and North East Asia. Even if the water was completely frozen, due to being directly under the arctic circle, the climate in the region is intense. So, one can technically walk from Alaska to Russia during the seasonal sea ice. Alaskas north is the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, part of the Arctic Ocean. The ice extent on the Bering Strait is at its lowest point in the last forty years it has been observed. It would link London and New York by rail and superhighway via Russia if it were to go ahead. The islands are separated by a day from each other. The narrowest distance between mainland Russia and mainland Alaska is approximately 55 miles (88.5 kilometres), according to alaskacenters.gov. 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. You can even walk from these islands during winter. Measuring the distance between the towns and settlements of Russia and Alaska makes sense. It has a significant cultural and historical significance for the indigenous peoples of the region, including the Yupik, Inuit, and Chukchi. [26] The Bering Strait tunnel was estimated to cost between $10 billion and $12 billion, while the entire project was estimated to cost $65 billion. Martin on the Yukon River, on the way to Russia. ALASKA NO LONGER REQUIRING TRAVELERS TO PRESENT NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST UPON ARRIVAL. You can also measure between capitals. It is the biggest country in the world by area and encompasses one-eight of Earths inhabitable land mass. Its population is said to include 88 people and COVID-19 tests are available to anyone in the region, according to the Norton Sound Health Corporation. If you calculate the distance between Anchorage and the continental USs largest northwestern city, Seattle, it would be 1448 miles (2330KM). If you measure the distance between these two, the distance is only 2.5 miles (4KM) from each other. Cortney Moore is an associate lifestyle writer on the Lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. So, can you walk from Russia to Alaska? If instead you decided to walk a more sensible 8 hours a day, it would take you 562 . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Up in the north, temperatures get extremely cold and destinations more remote. Legal Statement. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Did you know that Russia and Alaska were so close? If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles) from Russia to Alaska, It takes 5.27 hours to arrive. Can you see Alaska from Russia? And it is the home of the port of Providenia. Finally Understand! The easternmost, Little Diomede, is part of the United States and is known as Krusenstern Island. Secondly is the lack of immigration checkpoints. Other attempts have ended with helicopter rescues. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Walking Diomede is a 29sq km island that is part of Russia and Little Diomede is a 7.2sq km island that is part of Alaska. 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 air travel (bird fly) shortest distance between Russia and Alaska is 4,746 km= 2,949 miles. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Market data provided by Factset. Distance to capitals may be used to determine the political connection between territories at times. In the middle of the Bering Strait are two small, sparsely populated islands: Big. The short legal answer is no - unfortunately. That's not all too. 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. But is it still possible to walk from Alaska to Russia on foot? William Gilpin, first governor of the Colorado Territory, envisaged a vast "Cosmopolitan Railway" in 1890 linking the entire world through a series of railways. All rights reserved. A TikTok user called laubandrew posted a video that explains just how you can actually walk from Alaska to Russia. 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: Is Alaska Bigger Than Texas? On the flip side, the distance is nearly 3,700 miles when measured from Alaska's southeastern border near Annette to the most . [34], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}6547N 16901W / 65.783N 169.017W / 65.783; -169.017, "Bering Strait bridge" redirects here. This translates to 5.27 hours journey if the airplane is traveling at a speed of 560 miles per hour. ", "Bridgebuilding Vladimir Putin wants tunnel to US", Logistics concept for the Chinese growth market, "Report: China Mulls Construction of a High Speed Train to the U.S.", "China mulls high-speed train to US: report", "Russia unveils plans for high speed railway and superhighway to connect Europe and America", "Russian, China's trans-Asia programs complementary: railway chief", "Russia Considering Tunnel Between Asia and North America", Alaska Canada Rail Link - Project Feasibility Study, The Bridge Over the Bering Strait by James Cotter, A Superhighway Across the Bering Strait, The Atlantic, InterBering.com An alaskan company promoting a tunnel under Bering Strait and a railroad between North America and Asia: InterBering LLC, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bering_Strait_crossing&oldid=1140772599, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 18:33. The first island is called Big Diomede, which is 25 miles off the coast of Russia, and the second island is called Little Diomede, which is about 16 miles off the coast of Alaska. Alaska and Russia are extremely close to one another. One of those islands is controlled by Russia, and the other is controlled by the United States. So, one can technically walk from Alaska to Russia during the seasonal sea ice. 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. 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. 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. You may like this article: Whats The Longest River In North America? Right now, that area of the ocean is very turbulent so it rarely freezes. It is named after Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer in service of the Russian crown. (Jean-Erick PASQUIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images). The Little Diomede belongs to Alaska, while the Big Diomede belongs to Russia. You can even walk to Russia during winter. How cold is the water in the Bering Strait? How Far Is Russia From Alaska? The proposal was for a 90-year lease, and exclusive mineral rights for 8 miles (13km) each side of the right-of-way. It is virtually impossible for a westerner to receive permission to arrive on the Russian shores of the Bering Strait . In 2012, a four-member South Korean expedition team reached the U.S. state of Alaska from Russias Chukotka Peninsula and crossed the Bering Strait on foot in six days. There is an Bering strait between Alaska and Chukotka (Russia), and it's width is about 86 km. 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. How to Plan the Perfect Trip to the Appalachian Mountains Home to the 2,194-mile Hiking Trail and Gorgeous Small Towns. This is where you can see Russia from Alaska. And The Different Types Explained. How long does it take to go from Alaska to Russia? Two Russian nationals sought asylum in Alaska on Tuesday when they landed by boat on St. Lawrence Island, leaving lawmakers from the state asking the . Whats The Longest River In North America? The Alaskan island of Big Diomede and the Russian Little Diomede Island is only 2.5 miles (4KM) wide from each other. At homeUnited StatesHow long does it take to walk from Alaska to Russia? [clarification needed][12] In Lin's design, concrete covers all structures, to simplify maintenance and to offer additional stiffening. "[17], The straight distance between Russia and Alaska is 82.5 kilometres (51.3mi). Related: 20 Reasons Alaska Is Actually Worth Visiting (Despite Being The State No One Cares About). How much would a bridge from Alaska to Russia cost? But of course, if you're looking to get as close to Russia as possible while still being in the U.S., there's no need to go to tiny islands out in the Pacific Ocean. We have not heard of any adventurers who have received permission to arrive or depart from the remote shoreline of Russia. Alaskas capital city is Anchorage, and some other of the larger cities in Alaska include Juneau and Fairbanks. The tides and currents in the area are not severe. However, in the past decade, the wind from the north has only been able to freeze some large chunks of ice, leaving some large channels of open water. .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. They took 21 days to ski across the Bering Strait and complete this expedition. Such as Latvia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and North Korea. [18], The depth of the water is a minor problem, as the strait is no deeper than 55 meters (180ft),[12] comparable to the English Channel. If measured by direct distance, Alaska is closer to Russia. Debunking Common Myths On Vehicle Branding And Advertising, What Happens If You Put Gas In A Diesel Engine? Top 12 Things People Know Of AK, Alaskas Pika Township & Marmot Village | A Truly Rare Hike. From the Brooks Range to McCarthy, Homer, and everywhere in between, every nook and cranny of Alaska is her always her new favorite place. Do Pilots Actually Avoid Flying Over the Bermuda Triangle? Thus, even less time for Bering strait to have the chance to freeze over and be covered in a thick sheet of ice. This journey would be about 53 miles across the Bering Strait, but it is not a practical or safe way to travel. How far is Russia from Alaska by plane? Is it possible to cross from Alaska to Russia legally? Contents1 Has anyone ever walked from Alaska [] A new user to TikTok has gone viral for saying theres a way to walk to Russia from the U.S. Laub Andrew made his TikTok debut with a "geography lesson" on Feb. 22, which shows the two Diomede Islands out in the Bering Strait. From mainland Russia to mainland Alaska, the closest gap between them is only 55 miles (88KM). [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. The distance between these islands is about 2.5 miles. #funfacts #usa #russia - YouTube Skip navigation Sign in it can freeze over and allow for travel with the shortest distance being JUST 2.4 MILES.. He can be reached on Instagram at aaronspray. Political tensions between the two countries are incredibly high. To determine the answer to this question, you may also need to consider several calculation methods, first is the direct distance. [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. The only remotely feasible option for a normal tourist would be to take the one-hour flight between Nome, Alaska, and Providenya, Chukotka. You might remember Tina Feys impression of 2008 Vice Presidential candidate (and Alaskan!) Even more amazingly, in the dead of winter, the 2.5 mile stretch of water between the two islands could freeze over. The answer to how close Alaska is to Russia changes with every other option. Published on March 9, 2021 International travel is a lot simpler than it sounds. But that hasn't happened. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The narrowest distance between the mainlands of Russia and Alaska is a little less than 55 miles. The closest distance between mainland Alaska and mainland Russia is just 55 miles. Yes. Additionally, the Bering Strait has intense currents, cold water, and very choppy seas. That is because Alaska is closer to these countries. Can you swim to Russia from Alaska? The place to go to is, of course, Alaska. It shares land borders with over 14 countries. Perhaps it's just easier to get an expedition cruise from Vladivostok in Russia to Anchorage in Alaska or one could just take a chartered flight. Despite the cold northern latitude, due to the strong currents, the ice does not freeze in the winter (so it is not possible to walk across the Bering Strait). You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Can u walk from Alaska to Russia? Big Diomede island is only 2.5 miles (4KM) from Little Diomede island. Interestingly, Big Diomede is owned by Russia and Little Diomede is owned by Alaska. be sure to learn some essential Russian phrases, the remanents of which are preserved in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve in Alaska, Most-Visited & The Least-Visited National Parks: Great Smokey Mountains Vs. Gates Of The Arctic, 20 Reasons Alaska Is Actually Worth Visiting (Despite Being The State No One Cares About), expedition cruise from Vladivostok in Russia to Anchorage in Alaska, This Is The Best Way To Visit Alaska's Beautiful & Remote Aleutian Islands. On the other side are also only incredibly remote parts of Russia. Distance from Russia to Alaska is 4,746 kilometers. So, depending on the time of the year, you might actually be able to walk from the U.S. to Russia. The journey may take you 36 hours to complete. In Bering Strait, lies two small islands known as Big Diomede and Little Diomede. The Bering Strait is a narrow body of water that separates the easternmost point of the Russian mainland from the westernmost point of the North American mainland. Since there has been a gradual decrease in atmospheric interaction, the Bering Strait is almost completely ice-free. 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. For example, if you can see Russia from Alaska and what sea separates Alaska and Russia. 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. Two years later, Joseph Strauss, who went on to design over 400 bridges, and then serve as the project engineer for the Golden Gate Bridge, put forward the first proposal for a Bering Strait rail bridge in his senior thesis. During the last glacial maximum, what is today Russia and the United States were linked via the Bering Land Bridge - the remanents of which are preserved in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve in Alaska. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. WITH PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINES, ICELAND ALLOWING RESIDENTS TO SKIP QUARANTINE. In Russias southeast lies the Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan, which sets the maritime boundary between Russia and Japan, and North and South Korea. The more than 100-kilometer (60mi) tunnel would run under the Bering Strait between Chukotka, in the Russian far east, and Alaska. The Man Who Tried to Walk from Alaska to China. [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]. There are two reported cases of humans walking from Alaska to Russia in modern history. Andrea Romano is a freelance writer in New York City. Water temperatures on the surface average from 34 F (1 C) in the north to 41 F (5 C) in the south. However . You cannot drive from Russia to Alaska. (Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2018/Gallo Images/Getty Images). [23], In 2016, the Alaskan road network was extended westwards by 50 miles (80km) to Tanana, 460 miles (740km) from the strait, by building a fairly simple road. Long highways aren't a novel innovationone 30,000 mile one already . You can travel from Alaska to Russia, but not through the Bering Strait. Closed doesn't mean foreigners can't go there, but it does mean that more permissions are required, free travel is not allowed, and strict protocols must be followed when one gets there. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. People often wonder how far is Russia from Alaska? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, You can even walk to Russia during winter. If you were to run into trouble for any reason, you would be stuck out there without rescue. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Ice bridges between the two islands were more common during winter months decades and even centuries ago. From Qatar, you then fly into Moscow. Since there are no immigration checkpoints between the Big and Little Diomede islands, you cannot get this done. If you still insist on driving, that means you will be entering Russia illegally, which is a crime. 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. But due to the treacherous surface, it usually takes over two weeks to cross the frozen Bering Strait. The flight will be multi-leg, starting from Anchorage to Seattle, before you take a direct flight to Doha, Qatar. And, you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska.". The Bering Strait tunnel will cost $10 billion to $12 billion and the rest of the investment will be spent on the entire transport corridor, the plan estimates. The distance from Guam to the city of Khasan, a city near the southeastern tip of Russia, is about 2,172 miles, according to MapDevelopers. And What Should You Do, How Long Does Asphalt Take To Dry? 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. And, as the state's former Governor Sarah Palin once told ABC News, "they're our next-door neighbors. If the crossing is chosen as a bridge, it would probably connect Wales, Alaska, to a location south of Uelen. I have worked as a travel journalist for many years, and exploring new places is my greatest pleasure in life. 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. Otherwise, if one would like to cross legally it is very very difficult. Though they aren't states, the U.S. controls multiple territories out in the Pacific Ocean that can get you much closer to Russia than anywhere in the continental United States. [26] They estimated it could carry about 3% of global freight and make about $7 billion a year. One can only try to walk over during the polar night so the ice does not melt. You then enter Russia by passing through their immigration checkpoint and getting a visa stamped on your passport. 13 Beautiful Winter Drives Around the United States, 6 Best East Coast Road Trips for Fascinating History, Beautiful Beaches, and Delicious Seafood, Stand on a Glacier With This Breathtaking Virtual Tour of Kenai Fjords National Park, Skijoring Is Like Waterskiing Except With Snow and Horses and I Tried It at This Montana Resort, How to Plan an Epic Ice-climbing Adventure in Ouray, Colorado, The Most Beautiful Winter Train Rides in North America, 10 Mountains You've Never Heard of but Need to Ski This Winter, Northern Lights, Explained: What They Are and How to See Them, 15 Volcano Hikes in Stunning Destinations Around the World, 28 Best Beaches on the East Coast From Maine to Florida, 8 Places in the United States Where You May Spot the Northern Lights, How to Plan the Perfect Adirondacks Vacation in Any Season Charming Towns and Gorgeous Hikes Included. A TikTok user called laubandrew posted a video that explains just how you can actually walk from Alaska to. The theory believes that the Bering Strait was dry land during the ice age, allowing prehistoric humans and animals to physically migrate to North America. For the last eight years, she has been a lifestyle journalist for. The closest parts of American land to Russian land are the American Little Diomede Island and the Russian Big Diomede islands. However, at the narrowest point, they are separated by the Bering Strait. A Bering Strait crossing is a hypothetical bridge or tunnel that would span the relatively narrow and shallow Bering Strait between the Chukotka Peninsula in Russia and the Seward Peninsula in the U.S. state of Alaska.The crossing would provide a connection linking the Americas and Eurasia.. With the two Diomede Islands between the peninsulas, the Bering Strait could be spanned by a bridge or . The map above will give you a good representation of how far apart both countries are. Recommended Fly Juneau to Helsinki, train Fly from Juneau (JNU) to Helsinki (HEL) Take the train from Tikkurila to Pietari 24h 38m However, in actuality, there may be more issues to contend with. In recent modern history, there have been three recorded instances of humans successfully walking over the Bering Strait from Russia to Alaska. Detainment and deportation because of undocumented immigration are inevitable. Is Russia 55 miles away from Alaska? For travelers who are intent on exploring the Diomede Islands, a private boat ride is your best bet if you have the appropriate travel visas and permits and can actually find someone who can legally transport you. You can technically see Russia from Alaska. [1] Tunnel names have included "TKMWorld Link" and "AmerAsian Peace Tunnel". This is because both islands are separated by the international date line. In fact, they are much closer than you think. However, there is a water body that separates the two countries by a distance of just 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometres). 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]. In 2015, another possible collaboration between China and Russia was reported, part of the Trans-Eurasian Belt Development, a transportation corridor across Siberia that would also include a road bridge with gas and oil pipelines between the easternmost point of Siberia and the westernmost point of Alaska. However, due to the gradual ongoing melt of the Chukchi Sea, it is nearly impossible to walk on the fragile sheet of ice. Natives of Big Diomede in Siberia and Little Diomede Island in Alaska cross over to the other island by boat occasionally. This makes matters even worse as it is the last closed part of Russia to foreigners. Bering Strait, also known as the gateway to the Artic, is a marine gateway located between Alaska and Russia. In 2006, two people were last recorded to cross the Bering Strait in around 14 days. Yes, you can technically see Russia from Alaska. Can you still walk from Alaska to Russia? It is not currently possible to walk from Alaska to Russia. This is an extremely short distance compared to the direct distance between Alaska and the continental US. (Image: NASA) Alaska is a state within the United States of America located in the far northwest of North America. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. To the west, Alaska shares a maritime border with Russias Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, with the Bering Strait between them. Can you still walk from Alaska to Russia? Alaska is the largest state in the United States, more than twice the size of the USs second largest state, Texas. [12] Lin contrasted this cost to petroleum resources "worth trillions". International travel is a lot simpler than it sounds. If you climb up to the highest point of Little Diomede Island in Alaska, you can see up to 37 miles (60KM) of distance. [14][15][16] In 2005, investor Neil Bush, younger brother of US President George W. Bush and son of President George H. W. Bush, traveled abroad with Sun Myung Moon of the Unification Church as he promoted a proposal to dig a transportation corridor beneath the Bering Strait. The closest distance between Russia and Alaska is only 2.5 miles (4KM) between the Diomedes islands. 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. Big Diomede is under Russian control whereas Little Diomede is technically in the USA. [12], Although there are no icebergs in the Bering Strait, ice floes up to 1.8 meters (6ft) thick are in constant motion during certain seasons, which could produce forces on the order of 44 meganewtons (9,900,000 pounds-force; 4,500 tonnes-force) on a pier.[10]. "To make matters even crazier, Big Diomede Island is 21 hours ahead of Little Diomede Island, which means that if you were to walk from the United States to Russia, you'd literally be walking into the next day. 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 explanation is mostly hypothetical, but it's an interesting way to show just how close North America is to the Asian continent. Traveling between Russia and Alaska. The other was in 2006 when an English and an American trekker managed to cross into Russia - they were immediately arrested by the Russian police for entering the country illegally. The strait is also subject to human migration theory, of how humans used Beringia to cross from Eurasia into North America as a land bridge. But did you know that there is a shorter distance betwe. Second, you can also consider between major cities, and finally, between the capitals. Fly, or float are your two options. Lets dive deeper into this topic to know more. Russia and Alaska are separated by sea, with no land connection between them. How Many Axles Does A Car Have? Although, it's probably not recommended to walk to these islands. From mainland Alaska, it is impossible to see Russia. (Guide), Can You Drive To Barrow In Alaska? The Diomede Islands in the Bering Strait are separated by the International Date Line with Russia's Big Diomede Island being 21 hours ahead of Alaska's Little Diomede. The stretch of water between the two closest points from Alaska to Russia is about 2.5 miles. [33], China's Belt and Road Initiative has similar plans, so the project would work in parallel for both countries. This excludes the cost of new roads and railways to reach the bridge. Market data provided by Factset. I don't think you can do that from any European country. The Russian government will likely not grant any Westerners access anytime soon. Andrea Romano is a writer and editor in New York City. The largest easternmost city in Russia in Vladivostok. The distance between Uelen and Wales is about 62miles (99KM). The Bering Strait is named after the Danish explorer Vitus Bering, who was the first European to sail through it in 1728. The Bering Sea is one of the most dangerous patches of water for small craft in the world. (Guide), What Do 60 Degrees Feel Like? Bering Strait freezes because of the atmospheric interaction direction and speed of the wind and the air temperature over the water. 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. Theoretically speaking, you may be able to drive from Russia to Alaska. To the east lies the Bering Strait, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Sea of Japan, creating maritime borders between the US, Japan, and North and South Korea. For anyone living in the continental United States, it's easy to feel like Russia is extremely far away.