Sparks sits just east of Reno in the Truckee Meadows, and I-80 runs right through the middle of the city along the Truckee River. The interstate connects Sparks with downtown Reno to the west and continues east toward Fernley and the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center, where USA Parkway runs south from I-80 through the industrial park. Pyramid Way runs north through the city toward Spanish Springs and Pyramid Lake, and Vista Boulevard climbs north from I-80 toward Wingfield Springs. McCarran Boulevard loops through the west side of Sparks, and Prater Way and Victorian Avenue run east-west through the older parts of town.
Pyramid Way is the city's busiest road, backing up at rush hour as commuters head between Spanish Springs and I-80. The I-80 interchanges at Pyramid, McCarran and Vista slow during commute hours, and the drive east to the industrial center adds a long stretch of interstate to many commutes. Breakdowns pile up on those routes, especially in summer heat and winter wind. Many streets in Spanish Springs and Kiley Ranch are recent enough that a precise address saves time.
Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a short drive southwest, and many Sparks residents use its lots. Buses connect Sparks with Reno along the main corridors, but most people drive. Trains moving through the rail yard can block a few crossings briefly.
The Union Pacific rail yard runs along the south side of the city, and Victorian Square, the old downtown, hosts big summer events that crowd the streets around it. The Sparks Marina park draws its own crowds on summer weekends.