The key east-west road serving Coatesville is US 30, which bypasses the city to the north on a freeway and provides access to Lancaster to the west and Philadelphia to the east. US 30 Business runs east-west through the heart of the town on Lincoln Highway. PA 82 is the main north-south road in Coatesville, running along Strode Avenue, Lincoln Highway, and North 1st Avenue, and heading north to Elverson and south to Kennett Square. PA 340 passes to the north of the city while PA 372 begins at PA 82 in Coatesville and heads west on Valley Road to Parkesburg and Atglen.

A general aviation airport, Chester County G. O. Carlson Airport, allowing private and corporate aircraft to easily access town, is located about 3 miles (4. 8 km) west in neighboring Valley Township. The nearest airport with commercial air service could be the Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia.

Coatesville is served by the Coatesville Amtrak Station, which serves Keystone Service trains along the Keystone Corridor. Until 1997, the station also served SEPTA’s R5 regional rail line from Philadelphia.

Two bus services serve Coatesville. The Transportation Management Association of Chester County’s Coatesville Link serves multiple tourist attractions between Coatesville and Parkesburg while Krapf’s Transit’s Route A connects Coatesville with Downingtown, Exton, and West Chester.