Daytona 500 weekend

[joebert]

I am sailing on the Marnier of the Seas Daytona 500 weekend. I have already booked a hotel in Jacksonville. According to mapquest, it is about a 3 hour drive. I will have to go through Daytona on my way. I was planning on leaving the hotel between 7 and 8 in the morning.

 

How bad will traffic be? How much extra time should I allow?

[Retired LEO]

You'll never do it leaving at that time. You'll need to leave Jacksonville at 4:00am or sooner. Traffic backs up at 5 - 6am and it's torture.

 

Let me give you a hint. Get off of I-95 at the Ormond Beach exit (SR40) and go east to A1A. Turn right (South) on A1A. You'll be running parrallel to the ocean. Continue south through Daytona Beach and Daytona Beach Shores. Turn right (West) on Dunlawton Ave.(SR421) and continue to I-95. Go south on I-95 and you'll be on your way. It'll take you a little time but you'll go completely around the Speedway. It sure beats sitting in that traffic for 3 or 4 hours.

 

I know from experience. I work at the Speedway for extra duty and it's a nightmare every year.

 

Good Luck.

[joebert]

Thank you

[48is24is1]

I agree with Lawman, race traffic is crazy (+ this the Daytona 500 were talking about). I live down the street from Richmond International Raceway and on race day planning can save from sitting in traffic for hours.

[starq1]

I agree with the others. Race traffic is horrible. My husband left 3 hours early to attend the race here in Phx. and was only able to catch the last 100 laps of the race they sat in traffic for 5 hours!

 

I would just plan on being in PC the night before. I would not want to chance it, especially since that is the biggest Nascar event of the year!

[tupper]

I would just plan on being in PC the night before. I would not want to chance it, especially since that is the biggest Nascar event of the year!

 

Living in Daytona, this is also my highly recommended advice

[cbpoolcare]

Hey! I'm from Daytona too, and sailing on the Mariner 12/11....actually Palm Coast, but close. Small world, tupper.

[tupper]

Your name is not Tom, is it? LOL...I have people from Palm Coast in our group.

[daytona]

jobert leaving at 7 or even 8 will get you there in plenty of time. The race started at 2pm this year. Traffic flows in very well now. In past years the race started at 1215pm traffic could get a little dicey. If you leave at 7 or 8 you will not be sitting in traffic for 3 or 4 hours. Well as long as a gasoline tanker doesnt crash on the interstate. Traffic on the Interstate by the Speedway at 7am this year was moving at normal speed.

 

My guess says leave at 7 get to Port Canaveral sometime after 11am. Heres a link with some traffic info. http://www.catchfence.com/html/2005/hh030105.html

 

The race could start even later this year

 

Let us know how it turned out and if you liked the Mariner. Shes a nice ship.

[jaxboater]

In 2001 we left JAX for PC around 0700. Got there at almost normal highway speeds. Southbound I-95 lanes were good. Northbound lanes were bumper to bumper - stop then go very slowly.

[joebert]

Thanks for all your input. I have changed my hotel from Jacksonville to Cocca Beach.

 

I will have to drive 20 hours Friday into Saturday instead of 17 hours but I will only be a few minutes away Sunday morning.