Sterling is situated midway between Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Chicago following US 30. Illinois Route 40 runs north-south through the center of Sterling, connecting south to Peoria and north to Wisconsin. To the south, it is a class 2 route, two lanes with improved shoulders and an 80,000 pound load limit. To the north, Illinois 40 is a Class 3 highway, two lanes with narrower shoulders and an 80,000 pound load limit. Rail roadbed and track is among the finest in the country, with speeds limited by the operator to 80 miles per hour, but with capability of greater speeds.
Sterling has convenient access to local, regional and international airports.
Runways are 6,000' and 3,899' in length. Infrastructure Natural Gas Low cost natural gas supplied by Nicor Gas , is a major Sterling advantage. A survey of eight major midwestem gas utilities indicated that the company was the lowest in cost on the basis of 6,000 and 20,000 mcf per month delivery to industrial customers for firm delivery and non-boiler use. Nicor Gas operates one of the largest underground gas storage aquifers in the United States. Gas injected into the field can be withdrawn for use in peak winter months.