USDLast verified: October 2, 2026. We checked COTA's F1 parking, shuttle, directions, accessibility, policy and RV pages, the Formula 1 schedule, and the ParkWhiz and SpotHero listings under Sources. Prices are what they showed that day and can change.
US Grand Prix weekend, October 22 to 25, 2026
- Dates: F1 runs Friday to Sunday, October 23 to 25, with the race at 3 p.m. Central. COTA adds Grand PrixView Thursday on October 22 for $20. Its parking page lists no Thursday parking.
- Pass rule: every car parking on site needs a COTA-issued pass bought in advance, or it can't use COTA Blvd.
- Parking and shuttles: COTA lots run from $52 to $134.50. Shuttles leave from the Travis County Expo Center from $34 and Waterloo Park from $49.
- Concerts: Maroon 5 on Friday and Post Malone on Saturday at the Germania Insurance Super Stage, and Alesso after Sunday's race. Return shuttles stop an hour after the music ends on Friday and Saturday.
Short answer. COTA sells US Grand Prix passes for its own lots from $52 for Lot F to $134.50 for Lot T, near Turn 1, and every car parking on site needs one bought in advance. COTA doesn't say whether prices include fees or cover one day or all three.
Other ways in: COTA's shuttles from the Travis County Expo Center ($34 and up) or Waterloo Park downtown ($49 and up), a rideshare to the McAngus Lot, or private lots on FM 812 at $60 for Sunday.
Buy passes from COTA. COTA's ticket policy says event tickets are non-transferable and not for resale, and that tickets bought from other sellers may not be honored. It doesn't say whether parking passes count, so this guide doesn't link to resale passes.
Options at a glance
Costs are what each source showed on October 2, 2026. COTA lists its prices as starting points.
| Option | Where | Cost | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| COTA Lot F | Near Turns 11 to 19 | From $52 (COTA) | The cheapest COTA lot. |
| COTA Lots R, K and L | Near Turns 9 to 11 | $70.83, $82.83 and $100.17 and up (COTA) | Lot R is out at Elroy Rd and Kellam Rd. |
| COTA Lot C Garage | Near Turns 12 to 19 | From $113 (COTA) | The only garage COTA sells. |
| COTA Lot T | Near Turn 1 | From $134.50 (COTA) | The priciest COTA lot. |
| Park N Ride | Drop-off near Turn 11 | From $52 (COTA) | Where you park for it is not published. |
| Shuttle | Travis County Expo Center | From $34 round trip (COTA) | Last ride in: 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. |
| Shuttle | Waterloo Park, downtown | From $49 round trip (COTA) | Standby seats at pickup aren't guaranteed. |
| Rideshare | McAngus Lot | App fare, free tram to the Grand Plaza (COTA) | No rideshare on COTA Blvd. |
| Private lots | FM 812 | $60 for Sunday on ParkWhiz and SpotHero | Not COTA lots. The apps disagree on the walk. |
COTA's lots and the pass rule
COTA sells race-weekend parking in advance on its F1 parking page, and its directions page says cars need that pre-purchased pass to get onto COTA Blvd. The parking map shows every lot. Coming south on TX-130:
- Lots C, D, E, F, G, H and K: Exit 451, left on Elroy Rd for 2 miles, then right on COTA Blvd.
- Lots L, R and S: Exit 451 to Elroy Rd, then follow signs.
- Lots A, N and T: Exit 453, left on FM 812 for 1.5 miles.
From COTA's venue policies: tailgating is allowed if it stays within one space. You can leave and re-enter the venue if you scan your ticket on the way out, but lot re-entry isn't addressed. The general policy mentions cash parking at some motorsports events, while the F1 pages require a pre-purchased pass, so don't plan on cash. Lot opening times and 2026 gate times are not published.
RVs. Premium RV sites on COTA's RV page were sold out. Lot N dry camping runs from 7 a.m. Thursday to noon Monday and includes one vehicle pass, but not race admission.
Race weekend schedule
Session times are from the official F1 schedule, in Central time. Concerts are from COTA's lineup page, which notes the schedule can change.
| Date | On track | Music | Last shuttle in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 22 | Grand PrixView Thursday, F1 ACADEMY paddock and pit lane walk | None listed | Not published |
| Fri, Oct 23 | Practice 1 at 12:30 p.m., Practice 2 at 4 p.m. | Maroon 5 | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Practice 3 at 12:30 p.m., Qualifying at 4 p.m. | Post Malone | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sun, Oct 25 | Race at 3 p.m. | Alesso, after the race | 2 p.m. |
Private lots on FM 812
Private lots on FM 812 sell race-day spaces through the parking apps. They aren't COTA lots. For Sunday, October 25:
- 13201 FM812 Lot: $60 on ParkWhiz, listed 0.5 miles away. SpotHero sells it as "F1 Lot (Gate 1)" for $60 before fees, a 59-minute walk of 2.7 miles.
- 12475 FM812 Grass Lot: $60 on ParkWhiz, 0.7 miles away.
- 12306-12388 FM 812: $60 before fees on SpotHero, a 105-minute walk of 4.8 miles.
Rideshare and drop-off
- Rideshare drops off and picks up at the McAngus Lot, per COTA's directions page, and can't use COTA Blvd.
- A free tram runs to the Ticketmaster Box Office near the Grand Plaza. COTA's 2025 accessibility page put the lot 0.75 miles from the gates.
- An older COTA page from 2022 still names Del Valle High School. Current pages say McAngus.
Shuttles instead of driving
COTA's directions page lists car, rideshare and bike routes, and no city bus or rail. Its own shuttles run round trip in a dedicated bus lane to the front gate.
- The first bus leaves about an hour before gates open. On Sunday buses run continuously, with the last ride in at 2 p.m.
- COTA says the longest rides are on Sunday between 9:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
- Credit and debit cards are accepted, up to eight passes per order. Children 3 and under ride free.
Accessible parking
- Bring a state-issued disabled plate or placard, and the person it's registered to must be in the car with ID. Request ADA parking when you buy, per COTA's ADA page.
- The venue policies put accessible spaces in Lots A, D and H, first come, first served. The F1 page, still the 2025 edition, says every lot has them and that calling 512-301-6600, ext. 0, before the weekend guarantees one.
- For a courtesy cart from your car, text COTA to 69050.
Road restrictions on race weekend
COTA Blvd is limited to permitted vehicles and buses on race weekend. Cars without a COTA pass and all rideshare cars are kept off it.
What this guide doesn't recommend
- Driving out without a pass. You won't get onto COTA Blvd.
- Asking your driver for the front gate. Rideshare stops at the McAngus Lot.
- Trusting the shortest walk an app shows. One FM 812 lot is 0.5 miles on ParkWhiz and 2.7 on SpotHero.
- Counting on a standby shuttle seat. COTA doesn't guarantee them.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to park at the COTA F1 race?
COTA's lots run from $52 for Lot F and Park N Ride to $134.50 for Lot T. Shuttles start at $34, and private FM 812 lots listed $60 for Sunday.
Do you have to pay for parking at Circuit of The Americas?
On race weekend, yes, with a pass bought in advance. For Germania Insurance Amphitheater concerts outside race weekends, COTA says standard parking in Lots E, F and H comes with the ticket.
Where is the best place to park?
Park near where you'll spend the day. COTA lists Lot T near Turn 1, Lot C Garage near Turns 12 to 19, and Lots K and R near Turn 11.
Are there shuttles to COTA for F1?
Yes, round trip from Waterloo Park downtown ($49 and up) and the Travis County Expo Center ($34 and up). Buy ahead.
What is the best way to get to the F1 race in Austin?
Without a COTA parking pass, use COTA's shuttle or a rideshare to the McAngus Lot. On-site F1 Austin parking is pass only.
Where do you park for NASCAR at COTA?
This guide covers F1. For other motorsports events, COTA says parking is bought on the event page and sometimes sold for cash in designated lots.
Sources
All checked October 2, 2026.
- COTA, F1 Parking and parking map: lot prices, locations, pass rule.
- COTA, Getting to COTA: directions by lot, rideshare, routes listed.
- COTA, Shuttles: pickup sites, prices, hours, payment.
- COTA, Venue Policies: tailgating, cash, re-entry, accessible lots, concert parking.
- COTA, ADA Accessibility and F1 accessibility, 2025 edition: placard rules, ADA lots, carts, McAngus Lot distance.
- COTA, Grand PrixView Thursday, F1 lineup, RV and Camping and Ticket Policy: Thursday price, concerts, RV dates, resale terms.
- COTA, 2022 F1 directions page: the old Del Valle High School rideshare site.
- Formula 1, United States Grand Prix 2026: session dates and times.
- ParkWhiz, USGP Sunday and SpotHero, USGP Sunday Admission: FM 812 lots, prices, distances.
Disclosure: ParkingAccess does not sell COTA parking and has no affiliate links on this page. Resale passes are not linked because COTA's ticket policy says tickets bought from other sellers may not be honored.