The NASCAR street closures are officially here—what drivers need to know

It wouldn’t be summer in Chicago if you weren’t worried about your commute in one way or another, especially along the lake front. And now there’s an additional cause for concern: The 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race will return to Grant Park for its third edition on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6, which means street closures will be in full effect ahead of the event throughout the Loop for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. It’s one thing if you’re planning on attending the festivities (including the headlining performance from the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band) and it’s another if you’re just trying to get to work.

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Having kicked off on June 19, closures will commence in phases with Balbo Drive between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive shutting down, followed by Ida B. Wells Drive, Congress Plaza Drive, and Michigan Avenue. By race weekend on July 5 and 6, you can expect all roads around Grant Park to be off-limits to vehicular traffic, including:

• DuSable Lake Shore Drive between McFetridge Drive and Randolph Street.
• Northbound Michigan Avenue between Roosevelt Road and Monroe Street.
• Southbound Michigan Avenue between Monroe Street to 8^th Street.
• Monroe Street from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
• Columbus Drive from Roosevelt Road to Monroe Street.
• Roosevelt Road from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Avenue.
• Jackson Drive from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
• Ida B. Wells Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive.
• Northbound Indiana Avenue between Roosevelt Road and 13^th Street.

The full traffic plan and a summary of road impacts, including specific dates and times as well as sidewalk impacts, can be seen here, per the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. According to the OEMC, all businesses and residences will remain accessible during course setup, race weekend and the break-down.

The traffic congestion will affect Chicagoans for a total of 18 days, which is graciously less than the inaugural event in 2023, yet it’s still a significant inconvenience for local drivers. Plan ahead to avoid frustration and time stuck in traffic!