The US Grand Prix at COTA is the closest F1 race to DFW. At just 3 hours south on I-35, it is a must-attend for any Texas F1 fan.
Getting there from Dallas:
- Drive: 3 hours via I-35 South. Leave early Friday morning for practice sessions.
- Fly: Dallas Love Field to Austin-Bergstrom is a 55-minute flight. Southwest runs frequent routes.
Ticket tiers (approximate 2026 pricing):
- General Admission: $175-250 for race day, $350-500 for weekend pass
- Grandstand: $400-1,200 depending on location
- Turn 1 grandstand is the most popular (and most expensive) for the dramatic uphill braking zone
- Turn 15 is the best value grandstand -- you see the back section and the view of downtown Austin
Pro tips from multiple years attending:
- General Admission at the Turn 1 hill is the best value in all of F1. You see cars crest the hill at full speed. Bring a camping chair.
- Arrive EARLY. Shuttle parking fills up. The rideshare dropoff zone is chaotic.
- Bring sunscreen and water. October in Austin can still be 90+ degrees.
- The support races are worth watching. F1 Academy, Porsche Supercup, and sometimes F2 run on the same weekend.
- The concert after the race (Taylor Swift, Eminem, and others have played COTA) is included with your race ticket.
Where to stay:
- Downtown Austin hotels book up 6+ months in advance for the GP weekend. Prices triple.
- South Austin Airbnbs near Slaughter Lane are closer to the track and more affordable.
- San Marcos (30 min south) is the budget option.
Sources: COTA website for pricing, personal attendance 2022-2025, Google Maps