Cedar City is located in the southeast Great Basin, and is about 20 miles (32 km) north of the northeastern edge of the Mojave Desert. Its elevation of 5,840 feet (1,780 m) gives it a much different climate from nearby Utah's Dixie, but it retains its cultural ties to St. George - the two cities, for example, share a daily newspaper.

The city is located on the western edge of the Markagunt Plateau, in a high desert valley with no ocean drainage. Interstate 15 connects the city with St. George (50 miles) and Las Vegas (180 miles) to the south, and to Interstate 70 (70 miles) and Salt Lake City (250 miles) to the north. State roads connect Cedar City with Panaca, Nevada near US 93, Kanab, Utah via US-89, and to US 50 and US 6 in Nevada. Similar to St. George, the city enjoys an excellent location on the west's regional transportation network. Los Angeles is 439 miles (707 km) south and San Diego is 500 miles (800 km) south on Interstate 15, Phoenix is 465 miles (748 km) south via Interstate 15 and US-93, and Denver is 580 miles (930 km) east via Interstates 15 and 70. Cedar City is located at 37°40'57" North, 113°4'28" West (37.682606, -113.074402).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.1 square miles (52.0 km²), none of which is covered with water.

A branch line of the Union Pacific Railroad services the city, connecting to the railway's main line at Lund.

Cedar City Regional Airport offers flights via SkyWest Airlines.