Under governor Sarah Palin, travel expenses have plummeted. Governor Frank Murkowski spent more than half a million dollars on travel in his last year in office.

Palin spent less than $115,000 on travel in her first year in office. One factor that contributes to this decrease in expenses has to do with governor Palin flying Alaska Airlines instead of the former governor's executive jet, which she ordered sold.

Toward the end of his single term, Murkowski toured east Asian capitals, which most likely helped to boost the costs of his travel expenses.