The fastest way to journey to the Indy 500 is to locate a refurbished DeLorean, install Doc Brown’s time travel flux capacitor from “Back to the Future” and set it for 6 a.m. May 24, when the gates open. But if those skills aren’t in your wheelhouse, we invite you to check out our guide to navigating the roads by car, bike, foot and bus.
Keep reading to find out where to park, what bike groups to join, and what bus routes you can ride on race day. The green flag doesn’t drop until 12:45 p.m., but Indianapolis Motor Speedway suggests that you arrive at the gate closest to your seats by 10 a.m.
Here’s what to know to ensure your trip to the track goes smoothly.
Where to park for the Indy 500
People must buy race day parking at the track in advance, and spots are sold out for 2026. Those who have purchased parking already can find directions to their specific lots at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/plan-ahead/parking.
If you missed out on track parking, don’t worry. You can partake in a charming race day tradition by parking in the yard of a Speedway resident who is renting out spots. Look for signs in lawns around the track, and be sure to bring cash.
Check out other spots in the vicinity of the track, too. Nearby businesses with spaces to offer often post on the town of Speedway’s Facebook page. Speedway Trails has parking near the track, and you can pay $40 to pull in on race day starting at 5 a.m. Find details at speedwaytrails.com/indy-500-parking.
Best ways to travel to the Indy 500 if you don’t want to drive
Ride a bike: Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Central Indiana Cycling have put together a race day ride. Participants will depart from The Amp at 16 Tech at either 7:30 or 9:30 a.m., roll out behind a police escort and park their bikes inside gated and monitored corrals just outside Gates 1 and 2. Cyclists can return to The Amp after the race in guided ride groups. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 the day of for adults. Children ages 15 and younger ride free with a registered adult. Register and find departure times at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/event-info/bike-to-the-500.
Ride the bus: Routes 10, 15 and 25 usually take passengers to the vicinity of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Busses are affected by race day road closures, so plan for an early trip to be sure you reach your destination on time. Check indygo.net for the most up-to-date information and routes.
If you’re traveling to the race from outside the Indianapolis bus route, check out Rally, a chartered bus rideshare program that will book a bus when enough riders request a certain route. Join confirmed bus bookings and request new ones at rally.co/indy-500/. Round trip tickets from Carmel or Broad Ripple, for example, are $85.
Rideshare and taxi: The drop-off and pickup spot will be at the corner of 10th and Polco streets.
Shuttles: Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s round-trip shuttle services are sold out for 2026. For more information, visit indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/plan-ahead/transportation-services.
Indianapolis road closures on Indy 500 race day
Find Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s traffic map at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/plan-ahead/directions. Find more details on the closures from the town of Speedway at tinyurl.com/5n6dsxpt.
The best route to take when you leave the race
Law enforcement officials will direct traffic after the race. Vehicles won’t be able to leave parking lots until pedestrian traffic clears, which can take about one to two hours, according to the speedway. Find the exit map for your parking lot at indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/plan-ahead/directions.
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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Sign up here for the newsletter she curates about things to do and ways to explore Indianapolis. Find her on Facebook, Instagram or X: @domenicareports.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How to get to the Indy 500, where to park and closed roads in 2026
Reporting by Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
