Springdale sits in the middle of the Northwest Arkansas corridor, between Fayetteville to the south and Rogers and Bentonville to the north, and I-49 runs along its western side. US 412 crosses the city east-west along Sunset Avenue, connecting west to Tontitown and Siloam Springs and east toward Beaver Lake and the town of Huntsville. A newer bypass north of town heads west toward the regional airport, easing some of the truck traffic. US 71 Business follows Thompson Street through the heart of the city.
Thompson Street, Sunset Avenue and the I-49 interchanges carry the heaviest traffic, especially at shift changes when plants and warehouses let out. Old Wire Road and AR 265 run north-south on the east side, Elm Springs Road and AR 112 serve the west, and Emma Avenue anchors downtown. Truck traffic is heavy on every major road because of the poultry and logistics industries, and breakdowns at busy intersections or along the I-49 exits are common.
Northwest Arkansas National Airport is northwest of town, reached by I-49 and the bypass, and its parking lots are a frequent no-start location. Springdale Municipal Airport serves private aviation. Ozark Regional Transit covers some routes, and the Razorback Greenway trail runs through downtown, but most people drive, often between shifts and across the region for work. Many households share one or two vehicles across different shifts, so a car that's down even for a day can leave someone without a way to work.