⚠️ Independent Parking Guide - Not Affiliated with Daytona 500
Secure Your Spot for The Great American Race
Monday, February 2, 2026 - Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Doors: 10:00 AM
Show: 02:30 PM
Age Restriction: All ages
Dress Code: Casual & Comfortable
Parking Capacity: 25000 spots
ℹ️ This is an independent parking guide. We are not affiliated with Daytona 500. Information is provided for visitor convenience only.
Regular: Free (Lot 7) - $60 (Lot 3)
Premium: $75 - $125
VIP: $200+
The Daytona 500 is the most prestigious race in NASCAR, held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Known as 'The Great American Race', it serves as the season opener for the NASCAR Cup Series. The 200-lap, 500-mile event draws over 100,000 fans & features high-speed stock car racing on the famous 2.5-mile tri-oval track.
1801 W International Speedway Blvd
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
This independent guide provides comprehensive parking information for Daytona 500. We research and compile parking options, pricing, and tips to help make your event experience stress-free.
Please note: We are not affiliated with Daytona 500 or its organizers. This is an independent informational resource created to help event attendees find the best parking options.
Clear bag policy is strictly enforced
Coolers must be soft-sided & no larger than 14x14x14 inches
Ear protection is highly recommended
Sunscreen & hats are advised for day races
Everything you need to know about parking at Daytona 500
Look, let’s be real for a second. The Daytona 500 is arguably the biggest event in motorsports. The Great American Race. The engines, the flyover, the energy—it’s absolutely electric. But there is ONE thing that can turn that excitement into total dread pretty fast: The Parking Situation.
If you’ve never been to the World Center of Racing, you might underestimate just how massive this place is. We are talking about 100,000+ people descending on Daytona Beach all at once. If you don't have a plan, you WILL end up stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on International Speedway Blvd, missing the pre-race concert, or parking three miles away with a blister-inducing walk ahead of you.
But don’t panic. We’ve done the deep dive research so you don’t have to. Whether you are looking to spend big on VIP proximity, hunt for a free spot, or find a clever local hack, this guide has you covered. Here is everything you need to know about parking for the 2025 Daytona 500.
First off, let’s talk about the official lots run by the Speedway. Here is the thing you need to know immediately: The best spots sell out MONTHS in advance.
Most of the paved lots right next to the injectors (the stadium entrances) are reserved for season ticket holders or people who renewed their parking passes the day after last year's race. However, availability fluctuates, & you can sometimes snag resale passes.
Frontstretch Parking (Paid/Permit) This is the gold standard. These lots (like Lot 4 outside Turn 4 or the various paved lots along International Speedway Blvd) put you right in the action.
Infield Parking If you have an infield wristband or camping pass, you are driving through the tunnels into the belly of the beast.
ADA Parking Daytona does a solid job with accessibility. Accessible parking is generally located in Lot 1 (near the Ticket & Tours Building) & Lot 6.
Okay, maybe you spent all your budget on the tickets & beer. Totally fair. The good news is that Daytona International Speedway offers FREE parking. The bad news? It requires a bit of logistics.
Lot 7 (The North Lot) This is the holy grail of free parking.
Volusia Mall Parking Sometimes the mall offers parking options, & it is often used as a overflow or ride-share hub.
If you take nothing else away from this guide, listen to this: GET THERE EARLY.
The green flag might wave around 2:30 PM, but if you leave your hotel at noon, you are going to have a bad time.
The Golden Window Aim to be parked by 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM.
Navigation Tips
Don't want to drive at all? You have options, but they come with their own set of headaches.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
Walking If you are staying at a hotel on ISB (lucky you), just walk. But wear comfortable shoes. The Speedway frontstretch alone is nearly a mile long. You will easily hit 15,000 steps on race day without even trying.
Here is a hack that a lot of veterans are starting to use. The Speedway is surrounded by residential neighborhoods & businesses.
Instead of fighting for a spot in a massive grass field or risking a tow at a strip mall, check out Prked. It’s a peer-to-peer platform (think Airbnb for parking) where locals rent out their driveways or private lots.
Why it works for Daytona:
It’s definitely worth a look if you want to skip the shuttle bus drama & park like a local.
We asked some multi-year attendees for their best advice. Here is what they said:
The Daytona 500 is a bucket-list event that every fan should experience. Don't let the logistics scare you off. Whether you choose the free Lot 7 shuttle, splurge for a paved spot, or grab a private driveway rental through Prked, the key is having a plan BEFORE you start the engine.
Get there early, bring your cooler, & enjoy the race. See you at the track!
Secure your guaranteed parking spot for Daytona 500 today
Reserve Daytona 500 ParkingFinding the right spot to park for the Daytona 500 really depends on your budget & how much walking you’re willing to do. If you want the absolute most convenient official option without spending a dime, you should head straight for Lot 7. It’s located at the corner of Bill France Boulevard & Clyde Morris Boulevard. It’s the official 'Park & Ride' lot, meaning you park for free & take a complimentary shuttle bus that drops you right near the Speedway. This is a massive favorite for veteran fans because it saves you from the post-race traffic jams that clog up the lots closer to the track. However, if you prefer to have your car closer to the action & don't mind paying, look into purchasing a pass for Lot 1 or Lot 4 beforehand. These are located directly across from the Speedway on International Speedway Boulevard & offer a much shorter walk to the grandstands. Just be warned that leaving these lots after the checkered flag can take quite a while due to the heavy volume of fans exiting at once. For a mix of shopping, dining, & parking, the 'One Daytona' complex (Lot 3) is fantastic, but it typically requires a reserved pass during race weekend. My advice? Stick to Lot 7 if you want a stress-free wallet & a ride to the gate.
Parking at the Volusia Mall for the Daytona 500 is a bit of a gray area that requires some local know-how. The mall is located directly across the street from the Speedway, making it tempting, but you have to be very careful. The mall parking lot itself is strictly for mall customers, & during race weekend, they often have security monitoring to ensure spots aren't being hogged by race fans who leave their cars for 8 hours. If you park in the general mall lot & walk over without doing business there, you run a real risk of getting towed. That said, the Speedway utilizes areas *near* the mall for official parking. Specifically, Lot 3 (which covers the One Daytona area & parts of the mall perimeter) is often used for reserved parking or specific pass holders. Sometimes, private businesses located on the outskirts of the mall property will sell parking spots for cash (usually around $40-$60) on race day. If you choose this route, make sure you are handing cash to an attendant & getting a ticket or placard to display on your dash. For a strictly official & sanctioned option nearby, you are safer heading to Lot 7 on Clyde Morris Blvd & taking the shuttle. It removes the anxiety of wondering if your car will still be there when the race ends!
You will want to set your alarm clock early because race day at Daytona is an all-day affair. Officially, the parking lots at Daytona International Speedway typically open at sunrise, or around 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM on race morning. For the 2025 Daytona 500, you can expect the primary lots like Lot 1, Lot 4, & the free Lot 7 to be open & accepting cars by 7:00 AM at the latest. Hardcore fans often arrive as soon as the gates crack open to set up tailgates & soak in the atmosphere before the green flag drops in the afternoon. If you are aiming for the free parking in Lot 7, I highly recommend getting there before 9:00 AM. Even though it is a massive lot, it fills up surprisingly fast with thousands of fans looking to save money. The shuttle buses usually start running shortly after the lot opens & continue until approximately one to two hours after the race concludes. Arriving early not only guarantees you a spot but also lets you beat the notorious traffic backups on I-95 & International Speedway Boulevard. Trust me, sipping coffee at your tailgate at 8:00 AM is much more relaxing than sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic at 11:00 AM worrying if you'll miss the pre-race flyover!
The short answer is: it depends entirely on where you park. The Daytona International Speedway is actually one of the few major sporting venues that still offers a legitimate free parking option. If you are willing to park in Lot 7 (located off Clyde Morris Blvd & Bill France Blvd), you do not have to pay a single penny. It is completely free & includes a free shuttle ride to the track. This is a huge perk that saves you money for concessions & merchandise. However, if you want to park closer to the stadium in the 'front row' lots like Lot 1, Lot 4, or the infield, you will absolutely have to pay. These lots are generally sold as reserved parking passes in advance & can range from $40 to over $100 depending on the proximity & the reseller market. On race day, you might find private business owners or the airport nearby selling cash parking spots for $50 to $75. So, no, you don't *have* to pay if you use the official Lot 7, but you will pay for the convenience of being closer. My advice for first-timers is to take the free win & use Lot 7—it’s organized, safe, & easy on the budget.
Yes, you can absolutely Uber or Lyft to the Daytona 500, & for many fans, it’s a smart way to avoid the headache of navigating race-day traffic yourself. The Speedway has a designated Rideshare pick-up & drop-off zone to keep things organized. For the 2025 race, this zone is typically located near Lot 1, accessible via the frontage road near the Cracker Barrel off International Speedway Boulevard. This prevents your driver from getting stuck in the deep traffic flow of the main parking lots. However, you need to be prepared for 'surge pricing' & long wait times. Getting *to* the track in the morning usually isn't too bad if you go early, but leaving after the race is a different story. When 100,000+ people try to leave at once, the demand for rides skyrockets. You might wait 45 minutes to an hour for a driver to reach the pick-up zone, & the price could be double or triple the normal rate. A pro tip: If you can, walk a bit away from the Speedway—perhaps toward the One Daytona complex or a nearby restaurant—to call your ride. It might help you connect with a driver faster & avoid the gridlock right at the designated Lot 1 zone. Just make sure your phone is fully charged!
If you are looking for the 'best' spot, you have to weigh convenience against cost. For the ultimate VIP experience where money is no object, the best place is the Infield Parking (if you have the specific admission/camping pass) or Lot 4, which is paved & located right outside the main injector entrances. Lot 4 minimizes your walking distance & puts you right in the heart of the pre-race buzz. However, these passes are hard to get & expensive. For the vast majority of fans, I genuinely believe the 'best' place is Lot 7. Why? Because it is free, secure, & the shuttle system is surprisingly efficient. The buses run on a dedicated route that bypasses much of the pedestrian traffic, dropping you off near the main gates. Plus, getting out of Lot 7 onto the highway after the race is often easier than trying to merge out of the packed lots directly on International Speedway Blvd. If you are a savvy traveler who wants to save cash & doesn't mind a short bus ride, Lot 7 is the winner. Just remember to pin your car's location on your phone maps—the lot is huge, & every row looks the same in the dark after the race!
You are in luck because Daytona International Speedway has a dedicated lot specifically for free parking, which is a rarity in major sports these days. The place you are looking for is **Lot 7**. It is located at the intersection of Bill France Boulevard & Clyde Morris Boulevard. You generally cannot miss it because there will be ample signage directing you there as you approach the Speedway area. Once you park in Lot 7, you don't have to walk the 3 miles to the track (unless you really want the exercise). The Speedway provides a fleet of free yellow school buses & motorcoaches that shuttle fans continuously from the lot to the Speedway drop-off point near Lot 1. The shuttles start running early in the morning & keep going until well after the race ends. There is also sometimes a secondary free lot known as Lot 10 on Williamson Blvd, but Lot 7 is the primary, most reliable free option. My biggest tip: arrive early! Even though it's massive, 'Free' is a popular price, & it can fill up by mid-morning. If you get there by 8:00 AM, you should breeze right in.
The Speedway has a hybrid model: they do charge for the premium, close-up lots, but they also offer a completely free option. If you want to park in Lot 1 (near the Injectors), Lot 3 (One Daytona), or Lot 4 (closest to the center), you must have a paid parking pass. These are often sold as part of ticket packages or purchased separately online before the event. If you try to roll up to these lots on race day without a pass, you will likely be turned away or directed elsewhere. However, they do *not* charge for parking in Lot 7. This is the designated General Admission parking area. It is free for all ticket holders. So, the answer is no, the Speedway does not charge for *all* parking, but they do monetize the most convenient spots. Additionally, keep in mind that many private businesses, homeowners, & the Daytona Beach International Airport nearby *do* charge for parking on their property during the 500. The Airport usually charges around $50 cash for event parking. So if you see a sign asking for cash, you are likely on private property or the airport lot, not the official Speedway free lot.
If you are heading to the beach side & looking for a covered spot, the Ocean Center Parking Garage is your best bet. It is located at 701 Earl Street, right across from the Hilton & the Ocean Walk Shoppes. For standard days, the rates are quite reasonable—usually around $4 for the first two hours or an hourly rate of about $1-$2. However, during 'Special Events' (which definitely includes Daytona 500 weekend or Bike Week), the pricing structure changes to a flat daily rate. For 2025 events, you should expect the special event flat rate to be approximately $15 to $20 per vehicle per day. This fee generally allows for one entry, meaning there are no 'in & out' privileges—once you leave, you have to pay again to re-enter. The garage is huge, safe, & keeps your car out of the Florida sun & salt spray. It is also perfectly positioned if you want to walk to the Boardwalk, the Pier, or grab food at Ocean Walk. Just make sure to bring a credit card, as many of these garages have moved to cashless payment kiosks or mobile payment apps to speed up the entry process.
Parking directly on the sand is one of the most iconic experiences in Daytona Beach, but it does come with a fee. As of the latest 2025 updates from Volusia County, the daily beach access fee for vehicles is $30 for non-residents. This allows you to drive your car onto the designated beach zones & park it there for the day until the beach patrol closes access at sunset (or due to high tide). If you are a resident of Volusia County, you can register your vehicle for a free pass, but for the thousands of visitors coming for the 500, you will need to pay that $30 daily fee. You can pay at the toll booths located at the beach ramps. They typically accept cash & credit cards. Keep in mind that this fee allows you to leave & re-enter the beach on the same day if you keep your receipt, although re-entry depends on tide conditions. If you plan to be in town for a while, you might consider an annual pass for $150, but for a single race weekend trip, the $30 daily pass is the standard cost for that sand-between-your-toes parking experience.
Finding legitimate free parking on the beachside has become much tougher for visitors in 2025. Volusia County recently updated their parking rules, & effective January 1, 2025, most county-owned off-beach parking lots (like Lighthouse Point Park or Smyrna Dunes) now charge a $20 daily fee for non-residents. Previously, some of these were free or cheaper, but the rules have tightened. For Volusia County residents who register their vehicles, parking remains free, but as a visitor, your options are limited. That said, you can still find pockets of free street parking in residential neighborhoods or further north/south along A1A, but you must be extremely vigilant about 'No Parking' signs & blocking driveways. The city enforces parking rules strictly, especially during race weeks. There are also some smaller parks (like designated spots near Frank Rendon Park) that *used* to be free, but you should verify the signage immediately upon pulling in. If you see a payment kiosk or a 'Text to Pay' sign, assume you need to pay. To be safe, budget for the $20 lot fee or the garage if you want to be near the pier, as 'free' spots are now mostly a perk for locals only.
Yes, you absolutely can still park your car on Daytona Beach! It is one of the few places left in the country where this tradition is still alive. There are designated 'driving zones' marked by signs & wooden posts in the sand. You can drive in, find a spot, & back your car right up to your beach setup. It makes hauling coolers, chairs, & umbrellas incredibly easy compared to dragging them from a distant parking lot. However, there are rules you need to follow. The speed limit is strictly 10 MPH, & you must drive with your headlights on at all times so pedestrians can see you. Also, parking is dependent on the tide. If the tide is unusually high or the sand is too soft, the Beach Patrol may temporarily close certain ramps to vehicles. The cost for visitors is $30 per day. You cannot stay overnight—the beach is cleared of vehicles at sunset. So yes, bring your car, pay the toll, & enjoy the unique experience of tailgating right next to the Atlantic Ocean before or after the big race!
If you are spending the day at the beach, the 'best' spot depends on what kind of experience you want. For the classic Daytona vibe, parking on the sand is unbeatable. Entering at the International Speedway Blvd ramp or the Seabreeze Blvd ramp puts you right in the middle of the action near the pier. It costs $30, but having your car as a base camp for your towels & drinks is incredibly convenient. If you prefer to keep your car off the sand (to avoid salt & sand in the floor mats) or if the tide is high, the Ocean Center Parking Garage is the best covered option. It’s central, safe, & relatively affordable (around $15-$20 for events). From there, you can walk to the Boardwalk, the Bandshell, & Joe’s Crab Shack without breaking a sweat. For a quieter experience, head further south to the off-beach lots in Daytona Beach Shores. They are less crowded than the main pier area, & while you will likely pay the $20 daily lot fee, you’ll find it much easier to get a spot than in the chaotic central zone. My personal pick? Park in the garage to keep the car cool, then walk to the sand.
When planning your budget for Daytona Beach parking, you should think in terms of '$20 to $30'. As of 2025, the fee structure for visitors is quite standardized. If you want to drive & park directly on the beach sand, the daily pass is **$30**. This is a per-vehicle fee collected at the beach access ramps. It’s a bit of a price hike from previous years, but it’s the cost of that unique drive-on access. If you prefer paved, off-beach parking lots (like the ones at county parks such as Sun Splash Park or Frank Rendon Park), the fee is now **$20 per day** for non-residents. This is effective from 11 PM to 5 AM prohibitions usually, but during the day, it's a flat rate. The Ocean Center Garage also falls into this range, typically charging a special event rate of about **$15 to $20** during busy times like the Daytona 500 week. So, whether you choose the sand, a lot, or a garage, having a $20 or $50 bill handy (or a credit card, as many kiosks are card-only) will cover you for the day. Don't expect to find much for free unless you are willing to walk a long distance from a residential side street.
Daytona Beach is famous for its hard-packed sand beaches & motorsport history. The area surrounding the speedway features the 'One Daytona' entertainment complex, offering dining, shopping & hotels. Traffic on I-95 & I-4 is extremely heavy on race day, so plan to arrive at least 3-4 hours before the green flag.
Use our research to find the best parking options for this event
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