Umm el Jimal is 85 km north of Amman and about 20 km east of Mafraq, the nearest town. There is no public transport directly to the site.
By car: The most practical option. From Amman, take the road north to Mafraq (about an hour), then follow signs east toward Umm el Jimal. The site is in the middle of the modern village; the ruins are obvious from the road.
By taxi or private transport: A taxi from Amman for the day — round trip with waiting time — is the most flexible option for independent travellers. Negotiate the price in advance; expect to pay roughly equivalent to the cost of car hire for the day. Several tour operators in Amman include Umm el Jimal in day trips combining it with Qasr al-Azraq and other desert sites of the eastern badia.
The site can be combined with a visit to Umm Qais in the northwest, though that makes for a very long day.