F1 Las Vegas road closures 2026: how to get around during race week
By the ThingsVegas Editorial Team | Published 2026-10-10 | Last reviewed October 2026
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is run on a 3.8-mile street circuit built on public roads, so race week disrupts normal movement across the whole Strip corridor. The circuit uses Las Vegas Boulevard itself, plus Koval Lane, Harmon Avenue, and Sands Avenue. Prep construction for the 2026 race runs from September into November, with lane reductions and overnight closures already underway around the resort corridor.
Clark County has designated the Grand Prix an annual event through 2037, so this is the new November normal on the Strip. Below: the closure schedule for race week, the prep work happening right now, how to get live closure updates, and the best ways to get around on session nights.
Race-week daytime idea: all on-track sessions run at night, so your days are free. F1 DRIVE and F1 X at Grand Prix Plaza (from $37) lets you race karts on a section of the circuit and try the F1 X 4D racing experience during the day.
Where to stay so the closures cannot strand you
Where your hotel sits matters more during race week than any other week of the year. Once the circuit roads close each evening, getting across the Strip can take an hour or more, and rideshare pickup zones move away from the track. The fix is simple: stay inside the circuit area or on the Monorail line, and you can walk or ride above the closures no matter what is happening at street level. These are the race-week bases we recommend, all covered in depth in our best hotels for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix guide.
- Flamingo: inside the circuit's east side, a short walk from the Flamingo Zone and its own Monorail station. Usually the best value on the circuit itself. Check Flamingo rates on Expedia
- Harrah's Las Vegas: Monorail station right at the property, so the east side of the Strip stays reachable all night. Check Harrah's rates on Expedia
- The LINQ: mid-Strip, on the Monorail, and walking distance to the circuit's main viewing zones. Check LINQ rates on Expedia
- Paris Las Vegas: faces the Strip straight of the circuit, with the Horseshoe/Paris Monorail station behind it. Check Paris Las Vegas rates on Expedia
- Bellagio: the circuit runs right past the fountains, so you can watch the cars from the property and sleep on the track. The premium pick. Check Bellagio rates on Expedia
- Caesars Palace: directly across the Strip from the circuit, reachable on foot via the Flamingo Road crossing before closures bite. Check Caesars Palace rates on Expedia
Race-week rooms sell out and prices climb as the Grand Prix gets closer, so book as early as you can. If these are full or out of budget, stay anywhere on the Monorail line (it runs on the east side, above the closures) rather than across town.
Race-week schedule: Nov 19-21, 2026
The 2026 Las Vegas Grand Prix runs Thursday through Saturday, November 19-21. Every session happens after dark, because the circuit only exists once the roads close. The race itself is Saturday night at 8:00 PM local time.
| Day | Session | Local start time |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 19 | Practice 1 and Practice 2 | 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Practice 3 and Qualifying | 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Grand Prix (race) | 8:00 PM |
Road closure schedule during race week
On each session day, the circuit roads close in stages as the evening sessions approach, then reopen after the track is dismantled overnight:
| Closure phase | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Rolling road closures begin | ~5:00 PM |
| Full closures of circuit roads | ~7:00 PM |
| Roads reopen to traffic | ~2:00 AM |
Exact closure times vary by day and by section of the circuit, so treat these as planning baselines and check the official closure maps (see below) before heading out. The affected roads are:
- Las Vegas Boulevard (Sands Avenue to Harmon Avenue)
- Koval Lane
- Harmon Avenue
- Sands Avenue
- Flamingo Road near Koval Lane
One extra date to know: on November 5, a full closure of Las Vegas Boulevard between Paris Las Vegas and Harrah's runs from about 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM for an F1 demonstration with actual race cars, so plan around it if you are in town early.
Prep work already underway (October 2026)
Circuit build-out is happening right now. If you are visiting Las Vegas in October, expect this work around the resort corridor:
- Las Vegas Boulevard (Sands Ave to Harmon Ave): lane reductions from midnight to 9:00 AM, Monday through Friday, through October 30. Traffic is limited to a single lane in each direction overnight, and several left-turn lanes are affected.
- Sands Avenue (Las Vegas Blvd to Manhattan St): reduced capacity from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Sunday through Friday nights, through October 16, with one lane each way.
- Audrie Street north of Harmon Avenue: fully closed overnight (9:00 PM to 8:00 AM) through October 9.
- Deuce bus southbound stops along Las Vegas Boulevard: closed nightly from midnight to 9:00 AM, Monday through Friday, through October 30.
- RTC Routes 119 and 202: on detour October 11-16 while crews install the temporary Flamingo vehicular bridge, which shuts down the intersection of Koval Lane and Flamingo Road for the duration.
- Track lighting work has been running since September, with earlier overnight lane reductions on Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane, plus a Bellagio-area restriction on Las Vegas Boulevard running through November 9. Koval Lane faces a full closure November 15-24, right before race week.
How to get road closure updates
Two reliable sources for current closure information:
- Text F1LV to 31996 to receive road closure and traffic updates from Clark County on your phone.
- The race publishes official closure maps and a construction timeline at transportation.f1lasvegasgp.com.
Getting around during race week
Las Vegas Monorail (best option)
The Monorail runs on an elevated track above the closures on the east side of the Strip, so it keeps moving while the streets below are sealed for sessions. It has historically run around the clock during F1 race week, and stations at Harrah's/LINQ, Flamingo, and Horseshoe/Paris Las Vegas give direct access to the circuit zones. Buy tickets in advance and check the route map for your stop.
Walking
Walking is the most reliable way to cross short distances on session nights, but expect pedestrian bridges near the circuit to be restricted during session hours. Give yourself more time than you think you need, and plan routes around the closed sections.
Rideshare and taxis
Expect surge pricing on race days and altered pickup and drop-off zones near the circuit (in past years, race-day rideshare zones were pushed to spots like Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and the Hughes Centre). You cannot hail a taxi on the street in Las Vegas, and taxis have applied large surcharges on race weekend in the past, which usually makes Uber or Lyft the better call. Always allow plenty of extra time.
Deuce bus
The Deuce runs the length of the Strip but is subject to detours and stop closures around the circuit during race week and the prep period. Check current detours before depending on it.
Driving yourself (worst option)
Do not drive if you can avoid it. The circuit uses Las Vegas Boulevard itself plus Koval Lane, Harmon Avenue, and Sands Avenue, all of which close each evening. Resort parking typically requires a pass or proof of reservation, and the surrounding surface streets gridlock around the closures. If you must drive, get to your destination well before the evening closures start.
Tips for non-race visitors
You do not need a race ticket for race week to disrupt your trip. The closures affect everyone on the Strip that week: getting between resorts takes longer, rideshares cost more, and evening plans near the circuit need extra buffer time. Race weekend also lands the week before Thanksgiving, so late November is busy two weeks in a row.
If you are visiting Las Vegas during race week without going to the race, consider staying off-Strip or Downtown for a calmer trip, and keep your days flexible: all the on-track sessions are at night, which leaves daytime wide open. Browse Las Vegas experiences on Viator for daytime tours, attractions, and shows to fill your days.
Where you stay matters more this week than any other: a hotel on the wrong side of the circuit can add an hour to every trip. Our best hotels for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix guide picks the properties that stay reachable during the closures, and our guide to where to watch F1 in Las Vegas covers viewing spots for visitors without a grandstand ticket. For an evening away from the circuit entirely, start with our best shows in Las Vegas guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do the roads close during F1 Las Vegas race week?
On each session day (Nov 19-21, 2026), expect rolling road closures starting around 5:00 PM, full closures of the circuit from about 7:00 PM, and roads reopening around 2:00 AM. Exact times vary by day, so check the official closure maps before heading out.
Is the Las Vegas Monorail running during F1 race week?
Yes. The Monorail runs on an elevated track above the closures on the east side of the Strip, and it has historically run around the clock during race week. It is the best way to move along the Strip on session nights. Key stations near the circuit include Harrah's/LINQ, Flamingo, and Horseshoe/Paris Las Vegas.
Can I drive on the Strip during F1 race week?
Driving is the worst option during race week. The circuit uses Las Vegas Boulevard itself plus Koval Lane, Harmon Avenue, and Sands Avenue, all of which close each evening for sessions. Resort parking typically requires a pass or reservation, and surface streets gridlock around the closures. Use the Monorail or walk instead.
How do I get road closure updates during F1 race week?
Text F1LV to 31996 to receive road closure and traffic updates from Clark County. The race also publishes official closure maps and a construction timeline at transportation.f1lasvegasgp.com.
Does F1 race week affect visitors who are not going to the race?
Yes. The closures affect everyone on the Strip that week, race ticket or not. Plan extra travel time for every evening, expect rideshare surge pricing and relocated pickup zones, and consider staying off-Strip or Downtown if you want a calmer trip.
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