Cortez is located at the intersection of US Highways 491 (formerly 666 running north and south) and 160 (east and west). Highway 491 is a main connecting route between Interstate 70 to the north 141 miles through Moab, UT and Interstate 40 to the south 136 miles at Gallup, NM. As such Cortez is well-situated to serve the west coast.

Cortez is serviced by Great Lakes Aviation with multiple daily direct connecting flights to Denver of about one hour.

The nearest rail service is at Gallup, NM, 136 miles south.

Several entities offer high speed and high volume telecommunications services in Cortez.