Modesto sits on State Route 99, the spine of the Central Valley, about 90 miles east of San Francisco and 70 miles south of Sacramento. Driving is by far the simplest way to arrive; the trip from the Bay Area takes about an hour and a half outside rush hour.
Modesto City–County Airport has commercial flights to Las Vegas, with most travellers flying into Sacramento International (SMF) or San Francisco/Oakland and renting a car. Amtrak's San Joaquins service stops at the Modesto Transportation Center downtown, connecting Sacramento, Stockton, and Bakersfield. Greyhound also stops there. Local public transport on MAX buses is limited; a car is almost essential for exploring.