Indy 500 (2009): Directions and Traffic Advice
Traveling to IMS
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is located on the west side of Indianapolis, just minutes from Indianapolis International Airport.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 W. 16th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
* IMS Google Directions Tool
* Live traffic on Google Maps
From Downtown:
Take 16th or 30th Streets West from downtown past Georgetown Rd. to reach Speedway.
Vehicles on 16th Street will be directed into Gate 2 or any off-street parking along that route. Vehicles on 30th Street will be routed into Gate 10 or any off-street parking along that road. Access to the Coca-Cola Plant (Lot 1) is also available via 30th Street.
From Airport:
Take 70E to I-465N, exit 73B. Continue on 465N, exit at W 10th St (exit 14A). Turn left on N Polco to head towards IMS.
From North Side of Indianapolis:
Take I465W to Crawfordsville Rd (16A). East on Crawfordsville approximately 1.5 miles to Georgetown Rd. Speedway is on the NE corner.
All drivers coming from the north, northwest or northeast on either I-465 or I-65 are encouraged to use I-465 west to the 38th Street, Crawfordsville (US 136) and 10th Street exits. All three will provide access to Speedway parking.
From East Side of Indianapolis:
I70E to I65N(Exit 83B), take Pennsylvania exit (113) toward Meridian and turn right. Turn left on 16th St and take 4.4 miles to Speedway.
From South Side of Indianapolis:
Take I465W to 10th St. East(14A). Follow until Left on Main St. Turn Right on 16th St. Look for Speedway. Ask for more details.
From West Side of Indianapolis:
From I-74 heading East:
Take I-74E until it merges into Crawfordsville Rd. Continue on Crawfordsville to 16th St and turn left. Look for Speedway.
From I-70 heading East:
Take I-70E to I-465N. Exit on 10th St E (14A). Follow until Left on Main St. Turn Right on 16th St. Look for Speedway. Ask for more details.
Traffic Tips
Some people won't want to drive their vehicles to the track. Those race fans can take a taxi or bus. Taxis are available from downtown and Indianapolis International Airport for transportation to the track. On race day there will be 425 licensed taxicabs operating in Marion County. These cabs will use the emergency route for taxis, buses and emergency vehicles. Common fares from downtown to Indianapolis Motor Speedway are $15-$20.
From I-465 there are only three exits motorists can take to get to the Speedway:
You can take 10th Street, Exit 14A, to Lynhurst Drive where you will be directed north on Lynhurst. You can then choose off-street parking in the area, or continue north on Lynhurst Drive and join the traffic on US 136.
Another exit you can take is Crawfordsville Rd (US 136), Exit 16A. Vehicles will be sent in three directions but all will get to the track. Any vehicles with parking permits for private lots west of the track must be in the right hand lane of US 136 in order to be directed east to Georgetown Road for parking. All vehicles in the left lane of US 136 will be sent north on Lynhurst Drive where two lanes of traffic will form. At 25th Street, the right lane will be directed east on 25th to Meyers Avenue, then south on Meyers to McCray Street, east to Georgetown Road and in Gate 7 or to private parking in that area. The cars in the left lane of Lynhurst will continue north on Lynhurst, west on 26th Street, north on Moller Road, and east on 30th Street to parking in the Coca-Cola parking lot (Lot 1). You can also take 38th Street east, Exit 17, from I-465 and go south on Moller Road, then east on 30th Street to park in the Coca-Cola parking lot. If traffic on Moller is backed up, vehicles on 38th will be sent to Georgetown Road and then south to the Coke lot (Lot 1).
30th Street is a good alternative to other streets that fill up quickly.
Officers will be in contact with each other, traffic helicopters, and the track control tower via radio so they can determine what roads are backed up, and reroute traffic accordingly. Be patient and follow officers' directions and any signs pointing out routes. Officers from the Indiana State Police, Speedway Police Department, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and Motor Speedway Security will be directing traffic in and around the track.
Leaving the Track
The Indiana State Police ask that not everyone leave the track immediately after the race. It would certainly be nicer to stay outside than be stuck in your car in a traffic jam. Remember, it took a long time to get all of those vehicles into the track and it will take a long time to get them out. Everyone leaving the area of the Speedway needs to be aware of the fact that regardless of what direction they are sent, they will reach a main artery (Interstate System) within a distance of one to four miles. Officers will direct traffic out in the quickest, most efficient way. You should follow their directions. Be aware that routes may change because of traffic congestion. Follow the instructions you are given by the officers.
Related Information:
What To Bring
Seating Guide
Parking Guide
Official Lots & Rules
Official Do's and Don'ts
Road closures for Memorial Day/Indy 500 weekend:
500 Festival Memorial Service (Friday) from: http://www.500festival.com/events/MemorialService.asp
On Friday, May 22, beginning at noon the 500 Festival Memorial Service, presented by Rolls Royce will be held on the north half of Monument Circle. Monument Circle and all spokes will be closed beginning at 5:00 a.m. and will open at 3:00 p.m. Downtown parking meters are free 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for this event.
IPL 500 Festival Parade (Saturday) from: http://www.500festival.com/parade/index.asp
The parade begins at noon Saturday, May 23. More than 250,000 spectators are expected. The parade area is bounded by 16th Street, Delaware, Maryland and Illinois streets. These perimeter streets are expected to remain open but may be closed for public safety at times before and/or after the event. There will be no parking along the parade route and on Maryland and Washington streets between West Street and Capitol Avenue. Please adjust travel plans to take into account traffic volume and the following street closings at the approximate times listed:
6 a.m.
I-65 southbound exit to Illinois & Meridian streets.
Pennsylvania Street from North to New York streets.
Michigan and Vermont streets from Delaware to Meridian streets.
7 a.m.
I-65 northbound exit to Pennsylvania & Meridian streets.
Pennsylvania Street;from North Street;to 16th Street.
North Street, Ft. Wayne Avenue, Walnut Street, St. Clair Street, St. Joseph Street, and 9th-15th streets from Delaware to Meridian streets.
8 a.m.
Meridian Street from Washington Street to 16th Street.
Pennsylvania Street from New York to Washington streets.
Washington, Market and Ohio streets from Delaware to Illinois streets
Vermont, Michigan, North, St. Clair, St. Joseph and 9th-15th streets from Meridian to Illinois streets.
10 a.m.
All traffic cleared within parade area.
11 a.m.
Meridian Street from 16th Street to Fall Creek Parkway.
For each of these activities, please plan your travel through Downtown and around Monument Circle accordingly. There will be parking and sidewalk restrictions and street closings for the above events.