Daytona 500 2027 in Daytona Beach: weekend guide and things to do

18 to 21 February 2027 · ExpectedDaytona Beach, United States

Daytona 500 is one big day in Daytona Beach, but most fans arrive the day before and leave the day after. This guide covers the arrival afternoon, match-day morning, the evening and the free day after.

Tours in Daytona Beach Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Speedweeks fill the week before the race with qualifying duels and support races.
February on Florida's east coast is mild: good for the beach, cool for swimming.

Airport to Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach (DAB) is 5 minutes from the Speedway; Orlando (MCO) is 1 hour.

The Speedway is 5 km inland from the beach. Free trams run around the lots; rideshare zones fill up after the race.

Public transport directions to Daytona International Speedway

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Inland chains by the Speedway	Walk to the track.
Mid-range	Beachside hotels	Oceanfront.
Splurge	Daytona Beach Shores resorts	Quieter high-rises.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Daytona Speedway-Airport
Mid-range: Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
Splurge: The Daytona, Autograph Collection

Links search the nights from 17 February to 22 February. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual race weekend schedule for 18 to 21 February 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Wednesday 17 February

Fan zones open the day before. Take the afternoon for the city.

Half-dayDolphin cruise on the Halifax River Half day · Low walking · Family
Manatees and dolphins.
EatMain Street bars Bike-week strip

Match day morning

Thursday 18 February

Free until you head to the stadium. Avoid anything far away or tiring.

Easy outingPonce Inlet lighthouse Half day · Family
Climb 203 steps.
FreeDaytona boardwalk.

The day after

Monday 22 February

A full free day before you fly.

Full dayKennedy Space Center Full day · Family · Indoor
1 hour south.
EatAunt Catfish's Southern seafood

Evening plans

For the night before or after the match.

After darkMain Street.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Low walking · Family

Dolphin cruise on the Halifax River

Manatees and dolphins.

See times and prices

Full day · Family · Indoor

Kennedy Space Center

1 hour south.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Ponce Inlet lighthouse

Climb 203 steps.

See times and prices

Museum of Arts and Sciences.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family · Indoor

Kennedy Space Center

1 hour south.

See times and prices

Full day

St Augustine day trip

Oldest city in the US.

See times and prices

After dark

Main Street.

4 tours worth booking for Daytona 500

Tour	Length	Good for
Dolphin cruise on the Halifax River	Half day	Tired legs, Families
Kennedy Space Center	Full day	Families, Bad weather
Ponce Inlet lighthouse	Half day	Families
St Augustine day trip	Full day	Everyone

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Aunt Catfish's Southern seafood
Main Street bars Bike-week strip

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Full day · Family · Indoor

Kennedy Space Center

1 hour south.

See times and prices

Motorsports Hall of Fame at the Speedway.

Getting around on event days

You need a car; trams run inside the Speedway lots.

Day trips from Daytona Beach

St Augustine: 1 hour
Orlando: 1 hour

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Daytona 500.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Daytona 500 2027?

The next edition is 18 to 21 February 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Daytona International Speedway?

Daytona Beach (DAB) is 5 minutes from the Speedway; Orlando (MCO) is 1 hour. The Speedway is 5 km inland from the beach. Free trams run around the lots; rideshare zones fill up after the race.

Where should I stay for Daytona 500?

For most visitors the best base is Beachside hotels: Oceanfront.

What else can we do around Daytona 500?

Good short outings in Daytona Beach include Ponce Inlet lighthouse, Dolphin cruise on the Halifax River. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Daytona 500?

Family-friendly picks: Kennedy Space Center, Ponce Inlet lighthouse, Dolphin cruise on the Halifax River. Museum of Arts and Sciences.

How far is Daytona International Speedway from Daytona Beach centre?

About 5 km in a straight line. The Speedway is 5 km inland from the beach. Free trams run around the lots; rideshare zones fill up after the race.

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Everything we cover in Daytona Beach