Shawnee is about 35 miles east of Oklahoma City on I-40, a straightforward drive of under an hour. The Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City is the nearest airport with regular commercial service — major carriers connect it to Dallas, Denver, Chicago, and other hubs. A rental car from Oklahoma City is the practical way to reach Shawnee, as there is no regular public transportation between the two cities.
Amtrak's Heartland Flyer, connecting Oklahoma City with Fort Worth, Texas, does not stop in Shawnee. The old Santa Fe rail line through town is freight-only.