In the 48 contiguous states, what is the farthest distance between two
state capitals? I imagine it's going to be out west. I need the
distance in miles between them. Including the next closest will earn
another $2.00 tip.

Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by omnivorous-ga on 07 Nov 2006 08:31 PST

Two states with borders touching (contiguous states)?

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Clarification of Question by quizamajig-ga on 08 Nov 2006 14:10 PST

I asked it wrong! Sorry, I mean the SHORTEST DISTANCE between two state capitals!

Dear quizamajig-ga;

Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question.

Using the tool provided by ?HOW FAR IS IT?? that calculates distances
between two points in nautical miles and other measurements I
determined that the shortest distance between State Capitals is the
distance between Philadelphia, PA and Trenton, NJ. The distance
between them is 25 miles (40 km) or 21 nautical miles.

HOW FAR IS IT?
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=philadelphia%2C+pa&place2=trenton%2C+nj

On a technicality, the second closest is the distance between
Annapolis, MD and Washington, DC. That distance is 28 miles (45 km) or
24 nautical miles.
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=annapolis%2C+md&place2=washington%2C+dc

As for the second closest distance between ?formal? State Capitals,
the nod goes to the distance between Providence, Rhode Island and
Boston, Massachusetts. The distance between them is 41 miles (66 km)
or 36 nautical miles.
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=providence%2C+ri&place2=boston%2C+ma

In case you are interested, it appears that the FARTHEST distance
between two ADJOINING state?s Capitals is the distance between
Sacramento, California and Phoenix, Arizona. That distance is 629
miles (1013 km) or 547 nautical miles.
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=SACRAMENTO%2C+CA&place2=PHOENIX%2C+ARIZONA

This map, courtesy of the University of Arizona may help you visualize
the distances between US State Capitals.
http://www.ed.arizona.edu/ward/Latitude/USmap.jpg

I hope you find that my answer exceeds your expectations. If you have
any questions about my research please post a clarification request
prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher



INFORMATION SOURCES

HOW FAR IS IT?
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
http://www.ed.arizona.edu/

SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINE USED:

Google ://www.google.com


SEARCH TERMS USED:

None. I utilized a known online tool to help calculate the distances.

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 11 Nov 2006 08:15 PST

Indeed the commenter below caught me in an embarrassing faux pas. In
correcting my mistake I must point out that this changes the list
changes a bit:

Closest State Capitals:

Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. 
The distance between them is 41 miles (66 km) or 36 nautical miles.
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=providence%2C+ri&place2=boston%2C+ma

Second closest State Capitals:
 
New York, New York and Trenton, New Jersey:
The distance between them is 53 miles (85 km) or 46 nautical miles.
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=new+york+%2Cny&place2=trenton%2C+nj

Coming in at a very close third place is the distance between Dover,
Delaware and Annapolis, Maryland. The distance between them is 55
miles (88 km) or 47 nautical miles.
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=dover%2C+de&place2=annapolis%2C+md

I apologize for the error and extend my thanks to the sharp-eyed
commenter for keeping me honest.

Tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 11 Nov 2006 16:56 PST

I stand humbly convicted. It's rare for anyone to make the same silly
mistake twice in as many days like I did. Here's what I believe (and
sincerely hope) is the accurate and final answer:

Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. 
The distance between them is 41 miles (66 km) or 36 nautical miles.
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=providence%2C+ri&place2=boston%2C+ma

The second closest State Capitals are Dover, Delaware and Annapolis,
Maryland. The distance between them is 55 miles (88 km) or 47 nautical
miles.
http://www.indo.com/cgi-bin/dist?place1=dover%2C+de&place2=annapolis%2C+md

Again, I am very sorry for the error. To the commenters below: as soon
as I crawl out from under my rock I will put on my blindfold you may
fire when ready.

Tutuz-very embarrassed-Dad

Answer exceeded my request, providing plenty of background and source information.

Thank you.

The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg, not Philadelphia, although
Philly is the largest city in the state.

Um...the capital of New York is not New York City either.  It is Albany.