Competitive airfares and expanded flight schedules have positioned Manchester Airport as a viable alternative to Boston's Logan Airport. In 2004 a 74,000 square foot addition to the airport was completed. Nine airlines provide daily flights out of the airport, which is the largest commercial passenger and air cargo airport in northern New England. Non-stop flights are available to several major cities in the U.S. that offer worldwide connections.
Manchester, encircled by major highways, is the focal point of New Hampshire's interstate road system. Major north-south routes include the Frederick E. Everett Turnpike and Interstate-93, which carry traffic from Boston, through Manchester, and on to Concord. East-west arteries include U.S. Route 101, which runs east to Portsmouth on the coast, west to Keene, and southwest to Nashua. A bypass loop of I-93, named I-293, encircles the city to the west and south and handles some of the commuter traffic to the suburbs.
Several bus lines service Manchester, including Vermont Transit Lines and Concord Trailways. Shuttle and limousine service to Logan International Airport, 90 minutes away, is also available.
Manchester's main north-south streets run parallel with the Merrimack River while east-west streets run perpendicular to the river. The Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) maintains access within the metropolitan area with 14 bus routes; special services are available for those who are physically unable to use the fixed-route scheduled buses.