Tacoma is divided by I-5, an interstate highway extending from the Canadian to Mexican borders. Additionally, State Highway 16 extends from Tacoma west to the Kitsap Peninsula.
Airports
18 miles south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and 6 miles from Tacoma, the Tacoma Narrows Airport is a municipally-owned airfield capable of handling corporate commuter flights.
Public Transportation
Pierce Transit is the major public transportation provider, serving Tacoma and Pierce County, with daily express commuter buses to Seattle and Olympia. In 1996, voters approved a 10-year transportation plan for the Regional Transit Authority (RTA). This plan includes developing, improving and coordinating a mix of transportation services -- high-occupancy-vehicle expressways, regional express bus routes, commuter rail, light rail, and bicycle paths.
Ferry Service
Washington State Ferries provides service between Pt. Defiance Park and Vashon Island. The state ferry system is the largest ferry system in the United States, consisting of more than 25 boats and handling over 600 trips daily.
Rail
Tacoma is served by Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific. In addition the City of Tacoma owns 125 miles of railroad trackage between Tacoma and the cities of Morton and Chehalis.
Commercial bus service
Tacoma also serves as a stop on the Greyhound bus service.
