Shortest paths in the Tower of Hanoi graph and finite automata

We present efficient algorithms for constructing a shortest path between two states in the Tower of Hanoi graph, and for computing the length of the shortest path. The key element is a finite-state machine which decides, after examining on the average only 63/38 of the largest discs, whether the largest disc will be moved once or twice. This solves a problem raised by Andreas Hinz, and results in a better understanding of how the shortest path is determined. Our algorithm for computing the length of the shortest path is typically about twice as fast as the existing algorithm. We also use our results to give a new derivation of the average distance 466/885 between two random points on the Sierpinski gasket of unit side.