Austin Marathon Road Closures, a Get-Around Guide

In Austin on marathon Sunday and worried about getting around? Here is what to expect. The Austin Marathon runs in mid-February, on February 15 in 2026, and it closes a large chunk of central Austin from before dawn until mid-afternoon. Congress Avenue downtown shuts down for the start and finish, and the course cuts clear across the city, so crossing it by car is very difficult, and police only wave vehicles through at major intersections when no runners are coming. Roads reopen on a staggered schedule as the last runners pass, most by around 3 p.m. If you have to move that morning, use I-35, MoPac, and Lamar for north-south travel and plan around the course, or better yet, walk, take transit, or just enjoy the race.

That is the short version. Below is the full guide to the timeline, what closes, how to get around, what to do if your hotel is on the course, and how to still make a flight that morning.

This guide is general information from a longtime Austin resident. The date, route, and exact closures change every year, so always check the official Austin Marathon traffic map for your travel day. Last updated July 2026.

When It Happens

The Austin Marathon is held on a Sunday in mid-February each year, with the 2026 race on February 15. The marathon and half marathon start at 7 a.m., and the finish line sits near 9th Street and Congress Avenue, with a post-race festival there. Tens of thousands of runners and around a hundred thousand spectators fill central Austin, so even if you are nowhere near the finish, the ripple effects reach across the city.

The Closure Timeline

The key thing is that reopening is staggered, not all at once. A street near the start reopens hours before one near the end of the course, so check the official map for the specific segment you care about rather than assuming a single reopening time.

What’s Closed

Two things drive the disruption. First, Congress Avenue is closed downtown, roughly from 11th Street down to Cesar Chavez, for the start and finish, taking out the spine of downtown. Second, the 26.2-mile course loops through central and west Austin, so a long, winding barrier of closed streets snakes across the city for much of the morning. Because the course is continuous, it effectively splits parts of town in two until it reopens, and you cannot simply drive across it wherever you like.

How to Get Around

• Use the big through-routes. I-35, MoPac, and Lamar Boulevard are the go-to options for north-south travel around the course, and roads like Ben White Boulevard, Highway 290, and FM 2222 help for east-west.
• Do not try to cross the course. Police only allow vehicles across at major intersections when no runners are coming, so a crossing that looks quick can cost you a long wait, or not happen at all.
• Check Google Maps or Waze. The closures are submitted to the mapping apps in advance, so live navigation will route you around them.
• Expect transit detours. CapMetro buses reroute around the course, so check for detour notices if you are relying on the bus.
• Walk if you are close. On foot you can cross the course between runners at marshaled points, which is often faster than any drive that morning.

If Your Hotel Is On or Near the Course

If you are staying downtown or along the route, plan for your car to be effectively stuck that morning. Do not schedule anything that requires driving out early, move your car to a garage the night before if you will need it later, and lean on walking and rideshare, keeping in mind that rideshare pickups near the course are slow and may be relocated. On the upside, a hotel on the route is a front-row seat, so you may not want to go anywhere anyway. Marathon weekend also spikes hotel prices, which we cover in our Austin hotel price-surge guide.

Making a Flight That Morning

Flying out on marathon Sunday takes planning. Leave much earlier than usual, because closures can block or slow your normal route to the airport and rideshare will be delayed near the course. The airport itself is southeast of downtown and generally reachable via I-35 and Ben White, but give yourself a big buffer and confirm your route on a live map before you set off. If you can, book a departure later in the day, after the course has reopened. Our guide on getting from the airport to downtown covers the usual options, all of which run slower on race morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Austin Marathon and how long are roads closed?

It is held on a Sunday in mid-February, February 15 in 2026. Race-route streets start closing as early as 2 to 3 a.m., the race begins at 7 a.m., and roads reopen on a staggered schedule as runners pass, with most major streets back open by around 3 p.m.

Can I drive across the marathon course?

Only at major intersections, and only when police can safely wave vehicles through with no runners approaching. It is difficult and slow, so it is best avoided. Use I-35, MoPac, and Lamar to travel around the course instead, and check Google Maps or Waze for live closures.

Which roads should I use during the Austin Marathon?

For north-south travel, use I-35, MoPac, or Lamar Boulevard. For east-west, roads like Ben White Boulevard, Highway 290, and FM 2222 help you avoid the course. Live navigation apps route around the closures automatically, since they are submitted in advance.

How do I get to the airport during the marathon?

Leave much earlier than normal, because closures and slow rideshare can add significant time. The airport is southeast of downtown and generally reachable via I-35 and Ben White, but confirm your route on a live map first. If possible, book a later departure after the course reopens in the afternoon.

Sources

• Austin Marathon, official traffic and road closures map
• KVUE, 2026 Austin Marathon road closures
• KXAN, Austin Marathon traffic guide