TrekUnity
When
February
Attendance
~100,000
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
The Daytona 500 is NASCAR's crown jewel and season opener — 200 laps of high-banked, pack-racing drama around the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway each February, drawing around 100,000 fans to the Florida coast for "The Great American Race."
Race week builds with qualifying, the Clash, and the Duels before the big Sunday, and the beachside setting makes it an easy warm-weather escape from the northern winter.
Want to go? Turn Daytona 500 into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Mid-to-late February (Speedweeks lead up to it)
Admission
Ticketed — grandstand and infield options
Parking
Large on-site lots; arrive early on race day and plan for heavy post-race traffic.
Nearest airport
Daytona Beach (DAB) ~10 min; Orlando (MCO) ~1 hr
Typical weather
Mild, sometimes cool Florida February — 60s–70s °F; a warm escape from northern winter, but pack a layer.
Official website
Location
Daytona Beach, FL
Where to stay
The Shores Resort & Spa
Oceanfront resort in Daytona Beach Shores.
Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
Beachfront hotel on the boardwalk.
Speedway-area hotels
Closest to the track for race week.
Where to eat & drink
Racing's North Turn
Beachside bar on the historic old race course.
The Cellar
Italian dining in a historic house.
Boardwalk eats
Casual bites along the beach.
Nearby attractions
Daytona Beach
The famous hard-packed drivable beach.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
Historic climbable lighthouse nearby.
St. Augustine (day trip)
The nation's oldest city ~1 hr north.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + beach
- •Fly into DAB
- •Afternoon: Daytona Beach
- •Evening: boardwalk dinner
2Race day
- •Morning: head to the speedway early
- •Afternoon: the Daytona 500
- •Evening: celebrate
3Lighthouse + depart
- •Morning: Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
- •Head to the airport
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Get to the speedway early — race-day traffic is heavy.
- Pair it with the beach and the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.
- Pack a layer; Florida February can surprise you.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Daytona 500?
Mid-to-late February, kicking off the NASCAR season at Daytona International Speedway.
Is it a good winter trip?
Yes — the Florida coast makes it a warm-weather escape, though February can be cooler than you'd expect, so pack a layer.
What is Speedweeks?
The days of qualifying and support races (the Clash, the Duels) leading up to the Sunday 500.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Daytona 500 or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.