How Long Is Atlanta Motor Speedway? A Local’s Guide to the Track

If you live in the Atlanta area or you’re planning a race weekend trip, one of the most common questions is: how long is Atlanta Motor Speedway?

The short answer:
Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) is a 1.54-mile quad-oval track.

That length, along with its high banking and recent reconfiguration, is a big part of what makes racing there so fast and intense—especially for Atlanta fans who follow NASCAR and other major series.

Basic Track Facts: Size, Shape, and Layout

Atlanta Motor Speedway track length:

• 1.54 miles (2.48 km) per lap
• Quad-oval configuration (a type of oval with a dogleg on the frontstretch)

Key layout features

• Frontstretch: Where the start/finish line is located and where most of the grandstands face.
• Quad-oval shape: Slight bends on the frontstretch create more unique racing lines and passing opportunities.
• High banking: The steep banking in the turns helps drivers carry high speeds, giving AMS a reputation as one of the faster tracks on the NASCAR schedule.

For most major races, including NASCAR Cup Series events, one “lap” equals 1.54 miles. When you see race distances listed (for example, 400 miles), you can quickly estimate the number of laps by using that length.

How That 1.54 Miles Affects Races in Atlanta

From a fan’s perspective in Atlanta, the track length and design shape the whole race experience.

Race distances and lap counts

Using the 1.54-mile length, a few examples of how races are structured:

• A 400-mile race at AMS is roughly 260 laps (400 ÷ 1.54 ≈ 259.7).
• A 300-mile race would be around 195 laps (300 ÷ 1.54 ≈ 194.8).

Different series may use different total distances, but they all use the same 1.54-mile measurement per lap.

Why Atlanta feels so fast

Even though AMS is shorter than some superspeedways like Talladega or Daytona, many fans notice:

• Very high speeds because of the combination of:
  • 1.54-mile length
  • Steep turns
  • Smooth racing surface
• Tight packs and drafting: The speed and shape of the track often bunch cars together, creating close racing and more lead changes.

If you’re watching from the grandstands or infield, that 1.54-mile loop is filled with near-constant action, with cars coming back around rapidly, especially during green-flag runs.

Track Length vs. Other Common Atlanta Driving Distances

To put 1.54 miles in everyday Atlanta terms:

• Driving from Downtown Atlanta to Mercedes-Benz Stadium is typically about 1 mile or less, so AMS is a little longer than that distance.
• Walking around a large city park might be 1–2 miles, similar to the length of a single lap.

So, one lap around Atlanta Motor Speedway is roughly like:

• A moderate city walk, or
• A short drive through a neighborhood in Atlanta traffic-free conditions.

But of course, race cars at AMS complete that distance in well under a minute during racing conditions.

Where Exactly Is Atlanta Motor Speedway Located?

Even though it’s called Atlanta Motor Speedway, the track is actually located in Hampton, Georgia, just south of the city.

Atlanta Motor Speedway
1500 Tara Place
Hampton, GA 30228
Main phone (commonly listed): (770) 946-4211

From central Atlanta, the drive to AMS is usually:

• About 30–40 miles south, depending on your starting point
• Often 30–60 minutes by car when traffic on I-75 cooperates

This makes it a manageable day trip for Atlanta residents or visitors, especially for race weekends, festivals, and track events.

Track Length and Seating: What It Means for Your View

The 1.54-mile size affects how much of the race you can see from your seat.

Grandstand views

From the main grandstands along the frontstretch:

• You’ll usually see:
  • The start/finish line
  • The frontstretch and pit road
  • Parts of Turns 1 and 4
• On a 1.54-mile oval, much of the track is still visible, especially the closer turns and backstretch, though sometimes distant parts may look smaller from high up in the stands.

For Atlanta-area fans used to smaller local tracks, AMS feels big but still compact enough that you can follow the action without relying entirely on video boards.

Infield and other vantage points

If you’re in the infield or in certain hospitality areas, that 1.54-mile loop circles all around you. From inside the track, you get a sense of:

• Just how wide the racing surface is
• How the banking in the turns changes the way the cars move and sound

How Long Is a Lap in Time, Not Just Distance?

While the physical distance is fixed at 1.54 miles, the time it takes to complete a lap changes depending on:

• Type of series (NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, Trucks, etc.)
• Track conditions
• Green-flag vs. caution laps

During fast, green-flag conditions, race cars:

• Cover the 1.54 miles in well under a minute
• Reach very high average speeds thanks to the banking and long corners

For Atlanta spectators, that means constant circulation—cars are back in front of you quickly, and the rhythm of the race feels fast-paced compared to much longer road courses.

For Locals: Using AMS for Experiences and Events

Many Atlanta-area residents discover that AMS is not just about watching races. The 1.54-mile track also matters for:

Driving and track experiences

Some events and experience programs (when available) may let you:

• Ride along in a race car or performance vehicle
• Drive laps around the full 1.54-mile oval under controlled conditions

That distance is long enough to:

• Let you feel multiple turns and straightaways
• Experience how speed builds over a full lap
• Appreciate how large and fast the venue really is compared to daily Atlanta driving

If you’re interested in these, check with Atlanta Motor Speedway’s main office or events staff for the most current options and scheduling.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Motor Speedway Track Specs

Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors and Residents

If you’re planning a visit from anywhere in Metro Atlanta:

• Plan your travel time:
  • Use I-75 south toward Hampton and allow extra time on major race days.
• Know the scale:
  • One lap is 1.54 miles, so race distances can add up quickly—long events may last several hours.
• Bring binoculars if you like detail:
  • Even with a 1.54-mile track, binoculars can help you catch action in the far turns.
• Check event information ahead of time:
  • Race schedules, gate openings, and event layouts can change, but the track length stays constant at 1.54 miles, so you can always use that to understand race formats and lap counts.

With that in mind, when someone in Atlanta asks, “How long is Atlanta Motor Speedway?” you can answer confidently:

It’s a 1.54-mile, high-speed quad-oval track just south of the city, designed for fast, close racing that Atlanta fans can easily reach for a day at the track.