The Crossroads of America
Two of the nation’s most important highways, Interstate 40, which runs from Los Angeles to Raleigh, N.C.; and Interstate 35, which runs all the way from Mexico to Canada, meet in downtown Oklahoma City. Joining them is Interstate 44, running from Wichita Falls, Texas to St. Louis. This intersection of highways ensures Oklahoma City’s status as a transportation hub.
In the City of Oklahoma City alone there are 12,647 miles of streets; a distance equal to driving from Oklahoma City to Valdez, Alaska. When combined with the Federal and State highways that criss-cross the city, residents are rarely more than 15 or 20 minutes from any destination in the area.
Metro mass transportation
The EMBARK transportation system, known as METRO Transit until April 2014, represents City of Oklahoma City's Public Transportation and Parking Department. EMBARK now refers to all the department's services -- bus transit, downtown parking and ferry on the Oklahoma River. It offers more than 20 interconnecting bus routes with convenient service and the flexibility of numerous stops throughout the Oklahoma City metro area. There are also express bus routes between Edmond and Oklahoma City and Norman and Oklahoma City, operated in conjunction with those cities’ own transportation departments. The Oklahoma City bus systems cover 465 miles of the metropolitan area. Read more about the recent changes to Oklahoma City’s transit system.
A free Downtown Discovery bus route explores downtown Oklahoma City. To take a ferry along the Oklahoma River and connect with transit services on the Meridian Corridor or in the Boathouse District, go to http://okrivercruises.com/.
Air Transportation
Oklahoma City’s newly-renovated and expanded Will Rogers World Airport is the primary commercial airport for Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas. Located in the southwest corner of the city, it is easily accessible by interstate, freeway and major traffic thoroughfares. Six major carriers serve the airport (American, Allegiant, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, United) and provide nonstop flights to 19 different destinations.
Rail Transportation
Two major lines provide most of the rail transportation in the greater Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Union Pacific, and Burlington Northern & Santa Fe. The two major lines, together with short lines offering regional service, have more than 4,000 miles of track and provide a statewide railroad network connecting Oklahoma communities with other U.S. cities, markets, and ports.
Passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak's Heartland Flyer, running its 418-mile daily round trip between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, with stops along the way in Norman; Purcell; Pauls Valley; Ardmore; and Gainesville, Texas.
For more information about living in Oklahoma City, visit our Relocation site.
