How Long Is the Track at Atlanta Motor Speedway? (And What That Means for Fans)

If you live in the Atlanta area or you’re planning a race weekend down on Highway 19/41 in Hampton, you might wonder: how long is the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway, really—and why does it matter?

Here’s a clear breakdown tailored to Atlanta race fans, families, and visitors.

The Exact Length of Atlanta Motor Speedway

The Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) oval track is:

• 1.54 miles long per lap

That 1.54-mile figure is the standard used by NASCAR and track officials when calculating:

• Lap counts
• Average speeds
• Fuel strategy
• Race distances

So when you hear that a Cup Series race at Atlanta is scheduled for a certain number of laps, it’s based on this 1.54-mile quad-oval layout.

How the Track Length Has Changed Over Time

Atlanta Motor Speedway hasn’t always measured 1.54 miles the way it does today. If you’ve lived in metro Atlanta for a while, you might remember different configurations.

A Quick History of Track Length

You’ll often see Atlanta Motor Speedway described in two key eras:

1. Originally (Pre-1997)

• Track layout: more traditional oval
• Length: generally referred to as 1.522 miles
• Character: fast, but less sharply banked than today

2. After Major Reconfiguration (From 1997 Onward)

• Track was reconfigured into a 1.54-mile quad-oval
• Start/finish line moved
• Banking and layout adjusted to increase speed and competitiveness
• Official length now standardized as 1.54 miles

Recent Reprofiling (Banking & Racing Style)

In the 2020s, AMS underwent another major update:

• Banking in the turns increased
• Racing style shifted to pack-style racing more similar to superspeedways

However, despite these changes to the racing experience, the official track length remains 1.54 miles.

Common Race Distances at Atlanta (In Miles and Laps)

Because the track is 1.54 miles, race distances are calculated by lap counts multiplied by that number. Here’s a simple way to visualize it:

Atlanta Motor Speedway Track & Race Distance Snapshot

Race lengths can change from year to year, but the math always starts with that 1.54-mile lap.

What the Track Length Means for Fans in Atlanta

Knowing the track length helps you understand what kind of racing to expect and how to plan your day at the speedway.

1. Racing Style and Speed

Because it’s a 1.54-mile, high-banked track, fans usually see:

• Very high speeds down the straightaways
• Tight, pack-style racing, especially after the recent reprofiling
• Frequent drafting, where cars line up to reduce air resistance

If you’re used to shorter local tracks in the Atlanta area, AMS will feel more like a mini superspeedway than a small hometown oval.

2. Race Duration

The track length shapes how long you’ll be at the venue:

• A 400-mile race on a 1.54-mile track can run around 3–4 hours, depending on cautions and weather.
• Add time for pre-race ceremonies, driver intros, and post-race traffic, and your day can easily stretch to most of the afternoon and evening.

If you’re driving down from Atlanta (Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, etc.), plan your arrival and departure with this in mind.

Getting to Atlanta Motor Speedway from Atlanta

Even though the speedway is in Hampton, Georgia, it’s considered a major Atlanta-area sports and entertainment destination.

Address:
Atlanta Motor Speedway
1500 Tara Place
Hampton, GA 30228

From central Atlanta, travel time is usually:

• About 35–60+ minutes by car, depending on traffic
• Longer on race days, when 19/41 and surrounding roads get congested

Because the track is 1.54 miles and races can be long, many locals treat it as a full-day event:

• Arrive early to avoid traffic
• Walk around the midway and fan zones
• Get settled in your seat well before the green flag

Key Terms Atlanta Fans Often Ask About

When people in Atlanta ask “How long is the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway?” they often also hear related terms:

Quad-Oval

• Describes the shape of the track
• Instead of a simple oval, the frontstretch has a slight “zig-zag,” creating multiple turns
• The start/finish line is on this frontstretch “quad”

Banking

• Refers to how steeply the track is angled in the corners
• More banking allows cars to carry more speed through the turns
• Atlanta’s higher banking, combined with the 1.54-mile length, encourages fast, side-by-side racing

Superspeedway-Style Racing on a 1.54-Mile Track

Although 1.54 miles is shorter than classic superspeedways (like 2.5 miles or more), the banking and aero rules can make racing at AMS look very similar to what you’d see at those larger tracks.

Tips for First-Time Visitors from Atlanta

If you’re heading down from the city and want to experience that 1.54-mile track up close:

• Choose your seats thoughtfully

  • Frontstretch seats give a full view of the quad-oval and pit road.
  • Higher rows can help you see most of the 1.54-mile layout at once.

• Prepare for noise and length of event

  • A full race on a 1.54-mile track with high speeds is loud and long.
  • Ear protection is highly recommended, especially for children.

• Consider track tours (when offered)

  • On some non-race days, the speedway has been known to offer track tours or charity laps.
  • These experiences let you appreciate just how big a 1.54-mile lap feels at ground level.

You can call the main switchboard to ask about tours, schedules, or event details:

• Atlanta Motor Speedway Main Phone: Typically listed at the main track office; check current contact details before visiting, as numbers can occasionally change.

Quick Answer Recap for Atlanta Readers

If you only remember one thing:

• The track at Atlanta Motor Speedway is 1.54 miles long per lap.
• It’s a 1.54-mile, high-banked quad-oval in Hampton, Georgia, just south of Atlanta.
• That length shapes how races are scheduled, how cars race, and how long you’ll likely be at the track on event day.

With that in mind, you’ll have a better sense of what to expect the next time you plan a race weekend from Atlanta.