The N.C. Department of Transportation is warning Concord-area drivers to avoid Bruton Smith Boulevard during NASCAR's Bank of America 400 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Three races are scheduled Friday through Friday, Oct. 9-11, according to Charlotte Motor Speedway. NCDOT expects heavy congestion on Interstate 85, U.S. 29, N.C. 49 and Bruton Smith Boulevard, Queen City News reported. The department is partnering with local agencies to manage traffic flow across the corridor.

GPS apps funnel most drivers onto Bruton Smith Boulevard between I-85 and U.S. 29, making it the most congested route to the speedway, according to NCDOT. The department's advice: take U.S. 29.

The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race starts at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race follows Saturday, Oct. 10, and the Bank of America 400 Cup Series race closes the weekend Sunday, Oct. 11.

Concord Mills shoppers should skip Bruton Smith Boulevard

NCDOT laid out a specific detour for anyone heading to Concord Mills Mall. The department recommends taking I-485 to Mallard Creek Road at Exit 28, then heading north and turning right on Carolina Lily Lane or Concord Mills Boulevard.

Alternate routes by direction

Drivers coming from different directions have separate recommended paths:

  • From the south (South Carolina): I-77 North to the I-485 outer loop (Exit 1B), then U.S. 29 North (Exit 32) or N.C. 49 North (Exit 33).
  • From the north (Virginia): I-77 South to the I-485 inner loop (Exit 19A), then U.S. 29 North (Exit 32) or N.C. 49 North (Exit 33).
  • From west of Charlotte: I-85 North to I-485 (Exit 30), then I-485 inner to U.S. 29 North. An alternate option is I-85 North to Poplar Tent Road (Exit 52) to Pitts School Road to U.S. 29 South.
  • From east of Charlotte: I-485 outer loop to U.S. 29 North (Exit 32) or N.C. 49 North (Exit 33).
  • From north of Charlotte: George W. Liles Parkway (Exit 54) to U.S. 29 South.

I-85 commuters should plan extra time

NCDOT said commuters who regularly use I-85 through the Concord area should adjust their travel times or find alternate routes, especially Friday through Sunday.

The department's Incident Management Assistance Patrol (IMAP) will extend its hours to cover pre- and post-race traffic. After each race, all traffic will be directed away from the speedway.

NCDOT will post overhead and portable message signs along the corridor to flag problem areas. Drivers can check real-time conditions at DriveNC.gov, by calling 511 or by following NCDOT on social media.