In the past, like the present, Lod is located on the border between the Lowlands (Shefela) and the coastal plain. This fact was already noted by the Sages: “From Emmaus to the Lowlands (Shefela), from Lod to the sea, the valley” (Jerusalem Talmud, Shevi’it 9).

The city's location between two different geographical areas determined its function as a crossroads of great importance throughout the ages.

Already in ancient times, Lod was a stop on the sea route (VIA MARRIS), which was the main artery of traffic in the Land of Israel. This route, which connected Egypt with Syria and Mesopotamia (Iraq), continued to Egypt along the northern coast of Sinai; from there, it split into two main routes. The western route went from Ashdod to Yavne, and from there to Jaffa and the rest of the country north of the Yarkon River.  Although this route was short, travelers had to traverse sand dunes and cross the Yarkon River. 

The river often overflowed its banks, making passage impossible. The eastern route ran from Yavne to Lod through the Ono Valley and reached Afek; from there it continued along the slopes of the hills and passed along the Iron River (Wadi Ara).

This route was an important link in the ancient sea route. The eastern route was perhaps longer, but it was easier for convoys to pass through, and therefore traffic was particularly heavy during times of peace. This had a decisive influence on the status and development of the City of Lod, which is located on the eastern route.

Also passing through Lod was the important route that connected Jerusalem to the coastal cities. The road started at the Jaffa Gate, which was “the western gate leading to Lod” (Midrash Eichah Rabbati 1:5), and led through the Valley Gate (Shaar HaGai), the Ayalon Valley, Gezer, and Lod to Jaffa. Caravans passed along these roads, and their owners stopped in Lod, traded there, and contributed to its economic development throughout the ages. Even after the decline in the value of pack animals for transport at the end of the 19th century, when maritime trade replaced land trade and the coastal cities (Acre, Haifa, Gaza, and Jaffa) rose in importance at the expense of the land crossroads, Lod's importance did not diminish.

The city is located on the route between Jaffa and Jerusalem, and this route continued to be important in the 20th century.

When the first railroad in Israel was built (1892), Lod was located on the route connecting Jaffa and Jerusalem. The residents of Lod did not lose out from the change in transportation. On the contrary, the British turned the railway station in Lod into the most important railway junction in the country. Lod continued to be an important transportation hub even after the introduction of air travel. The establishment of an airport adjacent to the city ensured that Lod remained on international road maps.

From: Vakar, Ora, 1977, Lod - Historical Geography, published by Goma and the Lod Municipality - Cherikover.