While visiting Rochester, Minnesota, there are several options for getting from one place to another.
Three main highways go through the city. These include US Highways 14, 52, and 63. Interstate Highway 90 and State Highway 30 skirt the southeastern edge of the city. Although it doesn't enter the city limits, County Highway 22 circles most of Rochester.
A network of skyways, subterranean walkways, and subways link most of the city's downtown buildings, allowing residents and visitors to avoid harsh winter weather conditions.
First Transit is the public bus transportation service operated by Rochester Public Transit.
Rochester International Airport is situated a few miles south of Rochester's downtown district, offering direct flights to several major air hubs.
Through much of its history, Rochester has been connected to the Twin Cities by rail. Although it is not currently in place, there have been a series of studies regarding a proposed Twin Cities-Rochester rail link.
Rochester was founded along a transportation route. As the Zumbro River wasn't wide or deep enough for riverboat transport, delivering mail, freight, and people, land routes were developed. The Dubuque Trail was the largest and most traveled route, and there were several smaller routes as well. These became stagecoach routes, connecting Rochester to other cities and towns in the Minnesota Territory
Travelers along the Dubuque Trail would stop in Rochester for water and a night's sleep. The general route of the trail follows what is now US Highway 52, and the Walker Stage Line carried immigrants and mail between Saint Paul and Dubuque over this trail until it was supplanted by the railroad.
The first passenger train to serve Rochester traveled on tracks laid by the Winona & St. Peter Railroad in 1864, propelled by two steam engines, the Winona and the Rochester. In addition to the W&SPR, the Chicago & North Western, Winona & Western, Wisconsin, Minnesota & Pacific, and the Chicago Great Western battled for rail dominance of area transportation routes.
The Chicago & North Western and the Chicago Great Western had stations in Rochester. Constructed in 1864, the Chicago Great Western depot was originally a Winona & St. Peter depot, and then a Winona & Western depot. In 1903, The Chicago Great Western separated the depot building into two pieces and moved it to 2nd Street Southeast, where it served as a bus depot for ninety-four years, before being returned to its original location in 1997.
The last passenger train stopped operations in Rochester in 1963.
For a time, Rochester was served by two streamlined passenger cars, the Red Bird and Blue Bird, which connected the city with the Twin Cities. The Red Bird operated from 1920 to 1925, providing non-stop transportation from Rochester to the Twin Cities, while the Blue Bird stopped at several towns along the way, operating from 1929 to 1931.
Websites representing any mode of transportation within the City of Rochester are appropriate for this category. These may include those representing the proposed new rail transport, city taxi services, bus transportation, airports or air transportation, or others.
Recommended Resources
Offering specialized and personalized travel services, the Rochester, Minnesota travel agency has been in operation for more than thirty-five years, offering travel planning services for personal, business, and corporate clients. Other services provided by the agency include Disney travels, all-inclusive resorts, sea cruises, with land and sea combinations available, and worldwide destinations. Hours and contacts are posted.
http://www.adlersrochestertravel.com/
Locally owned and operated, the private car service is operated out of Rochester, Minnesota, offering smoke-free vehicles and chauffeurs, free Wi-Fi, complimentary bottled water, and no extra fees for meeting and greeting at baggage claim for airport pickups. General information about the company is given, and its hourly and airport transfer rates are stated. Reservations may be made online, and contacts are posted.
http://www.goldcrownlimo.com/
Locally owned and operated by the Fliehr Family, the taxi service is open 24-hours a day, and dispatched from the Rochester Airport. General information about the agency and its qualifications and standards are discussed, and taxis may be booked in advance through the site. Its services include airport cab and shuttle services, Amtrak transportation, and regular transports to various attractions.
http://www.medcitytaxi.com/
RCL is a family-owned bus company that began service in 1966 when the City of Rochester had been without bus service for several months, and it expanded beyond Rochester in 1978. Its history is told, and its transit and commuter services are highlighted. Charter bus services may be requested through the site, a gallery of photographs show its equipment, and employment opportunities are published to the site.
https://rochestercitylines.com/
Rochester International Airport
Situated three miles southwest of downtown Rochester, Minnesota, the airport is owned and operated by Monroe County. The airport’s master plan, arrivals, departures, and airlines serving the airport are featured, along with the destinations available, a true cost calculator, information about flying local, and online ticket sales. Parking options, rental cars, taxis, shuttles, rideshare services, and information about curbside pickup and drop-off are put forth.
https://flyrst.com/
RPT is the City of Rochester’s Public Transportation service, which offers public transportation services to the city. Its routes consist of forty weekday fixed routes and eight Saturday routes, as well as specialized or para-transit services for people who are unable to use fixed routes. Bus fares, delays and detours, and its ZIPS Paratransit Service, and real-time bus tracking are available, along with transit planning data.
https://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/public-transportation
Providing taxi services to Rochester and the surrounding areas, the service offers GPS dispatching, 24-hours a day service, 365 days a year, and metered cabs with credit card processors. Its services are highlighted, including its Rochester Shuttle Service, along with its rates, online advanced bookings, gift cards, and employment opportunities. A downloadable app is available for smartphones, as well.
http://www.yellowcabofrochester.com/
