TRAVELING BY MASS TRANSPORT

Bristol Motor Speedway isn’t connected to a regular public transit system, so most fans arrive by car, RV, or on foot from nearby campgrounds. However, with some planning, it’s still possible to reach the area by bus or train and then complete the final leg using shuttles, taxis, or rideshare services.

Race-day shuttles

During major NASCAR weekends, dedicated shuttle buses operate between selected parking areas, campgrounds, and the speedway gates.

Shuttles typically run several hours before the race and continue until all fans have left after the event. Lines can be long after the checkered flag, but buses generally move quickly once boarding starts.

Getting to Bristol by Bus

While no bus routes go directly to the track, intercity services can get you to nearby towns:

• Johnson City, TN – Greyhound and other regional carriers; about a 35-minute drive from the speedway.
• Kingsport, TN – Similar travel time and also served by regional buses.  From either location, you’ll need a taxi, rideshare, or pre-booked private transfer to complete the trip.

For fans coming from farther away, buses to Knoxville, TN, or Asheville, NC can be paired with a rental car for the final drive to Bristol.

Getting to Bristol by Train

Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia, does not currently have passenger rail service. The closest Amtrak connection is Roanoke, Virginia, served by the Northeast Regional line with daily trains to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. From Roanoke, you can:

• Rent a car – the most flexible and fastest way to reach Bristol (approx. 3.5 hours).
• Take a regional bus – several bus services connect Roanoke to Christiansburg and Blacksburg, with onward links toward southwest Virginia.
• Use rideshare or taxi services for the final leg of the journey.

Amtrak has announced plans to extend service to Christiansburg, VA, which would bring passenger trains closer to Bristol and mark an important step toward restoring direct rail access in the future.

Until that happens, travelling via Roanoke remains the most practical train-based option for race fans heading to Bristol.