CHARLOTTE – Thousands of race fans will be populating the roadways in northeast Mecklenburg County and southwest Cabarrus County in the coming days as NASCAR events kick off Thursday, May 17, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, capped by the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 27. The N.C. Department of Transportation is preparing for increased traffic on I-85, U.S. 29, N.C. 49 and Bruton Smith Boulevard.
NCDOT will utilize overhead message signs and portable message signs to alert motorists of potential problem areas and suggested alternate routes around incidents and congestion. The Department advises motorists to check for real-time traffic information by going to
DriveNC.gov, calling 511 or
following NCDOT on Twitter.
Bruton Smith Boulevard often sees the most traffic volume, since mobile direction services and GPS devices typically direct users to this route. Because of this, NCDOT encourages motorists to use U.S. 29 to access the speedway whenever possible.
The following are suggested routes for motorists heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway:
- For motorists traveling from South Carolina: Take I-77 North to the I-485 outer loop (Exit 1B) to U.S. 29 North (Exit 32) or N.C. 49 North (Exit 33);
- For motorists traveling from west of Charlotte: Take I-85 North to I-485 (Exit 30) and follow I-485 Inner to U.S. 29 North. An alternate route is I-85 North to Poplar Tent Road (Exit 52) to Pitts School Road to U.S. 29 South;
- For motorists traveling from east of Charlotte: Take the I-485 outer loop to U.S. 29 North (Exit 32) or N.C. 49 North (Exit 33); and
- For motorists traveling from north of Charlotte: Take I-85 South to George W. Liles Parkway (Exit 54) to U.S. 29 South.
- Commuters who use I-85 through this area should adjust driving time or, if possible, use an alternate route, especially if traveling during the weekend.
After race events, all traffic will be directed away from the speedway. Motorists should follow the direction of law enforcement at all times.