AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drivers, start your engines!
The 2024 Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix will rev its way back to Circuit of the Americas this weekend, with hundreds of thousands expected to attend the three-day event. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about parking, shuttles and rideshare operations for F1.
Any car parking for the event will need an official parking pass from COTA. Passes can be purchased online, with options including park-n-ride passes or lot tickets. Park-n-ride passes start at $40 while lot tickets range from $180 to about $375 for full weekend coverage.
Off-site park-n-ride pickup services will be in Lot Q, located at the intersection of Farm-to-Market 812 and Maldonado Trail. COTA shared a full map of the venue and parking lots online.
COTA will operate shuttles between the venue and two locations: A downtown shuttle with pickup and drop-off services at Waterloo Park (located at 1111 Red River Street), and a northeast shuttle shuffling between COTA and the Travis County Expo Center (located at 7311 Decker Lane). The shuttles will operate continuously throughout the weekend and start operating 60 minutes before gates open each day, officials said.
Not interested in driving to the event? Those seeking out rideshare services will have to pick up and get dropped off by rideshare operators at the North McAngus parking lot. Officials confirmed COTA Boulevard will be "restricted to permitted vehicles and buses only," with complimentary trams offered to take guests from the North McAngus parking lot to the Grand Plaza front gates.
Those trams will also operate continuously throughout the three-day festivities, running on a set route with various pickup locations around COTA. A full map of the tram route is available online.
Those who a disability and a state-issued disabled license placard are plate will need to request ADA parking when purchasing tickets, per COTA. Those orders can be made by clicking on the "Request Accessible Tickets" button in the upper right area of the "Search for Tickets" box.
Identification is required and the person whose name is registered on the hang-tag or license must be present in the vehicle, COTA noted. COTA will also run courtesy carts to assist guests who might need extra help getting from their vehicle to the ADA-accessible shuttle or a nearby entry area.
Those looking for more details on the venue's ADA policy can call 512-301-6600, ext. 0. More information on ADA access is available online.
Those heading from Austin or the Dallas area can travel south on State Highway 130 and take Exit 451 toward Elroy Road. From there, drivers will turn left onto Elroy Road and continue onward for about two miles before seeing signage signifying individual parking lots.
Traveling from the San Antonio, San Marcos or New Braunfels area? Take Interstate 35 north before getting off at Exit 223A to head toward the SH 45 East toll road. Travel on that road until Exit 451 for Elroy Road, turn right onto Elroy, and travel on for roughly two miles before seeing signage flagging those individual parking lots.
Drivers commuting from the Houston and Bastrop areas can drive west on SH 71 until reaching the SH 21 West exit. From there, take the exit to Kellam Road and turn left on Kellam. Drivers will then carry onward for three miles before following signage into their respective parking lot.
