Road course · Wisconsin, USADriver’s guide

Road America

Road America is a road course in Wisconsin. This guide takes you round it turn by turn, with the surface, the rules, a computed line and the elevation, then where to stay and eat.

4.03
Miles
14
Turns
180
Ft of elevation

01Track map

Road America track map

135678911121314S/FN250 m
LayoutPit laneS/F Estimated

© OpenStreetMap contributorsODbL 1.0

Full circuit

Name inferred by TRACK from the mapped loops, not an official layout name.

Mapped length
4.04mi
6.50 km
Direction
Clockwise
From OSM one-way tagging.
Start/finish line
Estimated
Estimated by TRACK from the mapped geometry and not verified on site. TRACK asks you to confirm or move it before timing laps here, when you’re stopped.
Published length (cross-check)
4.05 mi · mapped loop agrees within 3%
Corners
13
Inferred from curvature, not official turn numbers
Sectors
3
Estimated, near each third of the lap

Source geometry: OpenStreetMap ↗. Something wrong? Fixing it in OpenStreetMap improves it for everyone.

02Overview

What Road America is like to drive.

Road America is a long, flowing four-mile road course laid into the glacial hills of Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine, a short drive from Elkhart Lake. It opened in 1955 and its 14-turn layout has never been reconfigured, so the circuit you drive today follows the same path as the original. For a track-day driver the defining feelings are scale and rhythm: three genuinely long straights, big braking zones at the end of them, and a twisting back half where a well-driven car with modest power can make up a lot of ground.

Elevation is a constant companion. The surface drops roughly 160 feet from the start/finish line down to the valley between the Kink and Canada Corner, and then you spend the final part of the lap climbing back up, ending on the steep uphill main straight. Several corners are approached downhill, which makes braking stability and straight-line discipline more important than heroic late braking. Turn 6 is blind over a crest, and Turn 8 begins off-camber while still descending.

The track splits neatly into two characters. The front section from Turn 14 through Turn 5 rewards horsepower and patience with traffic, since closing speeds into Turns 1, 3 and 5 can be large. From Turn 8 onward the lap becomes a sequence of fast, linked corners: the long right-hand Carousel, the legendary Kink, the narrow walled section called Kettle Bottoms, hard braking for Canada Corner, then the climb through Thunder Valley and Turn 13. Smooth hands and early vision matter more there than bravery.

Most high-speed corners have generous runoff, but the Kink and the run to Canada Corner are tight, barrier-lined and unforgiving. Road America's own driver notes say its in-house track days replace the Kink with a slower two-part section called the Bend, so check which route your event uses before you go out.

03Lap at a glance

Where the speed is, and where the hills are.

Length
4.03mi
Elevation range
180ft
Steepest grade
12%
Braking zones
9model
Full throttle
58% model
Longest straight
2854ft
135678911121314MPH14242FT1064884S/F0.5 mi1.0 mi1.5 mi2.0 mi2.5 mi3.0 mi3.5 mi4.0 mi
Model speed (generic track-day car)Elevation · USGS 3DEP

The speed trace is a model, not a real lap: a generic track-day car (about 1.1 g of cornering grip, 1 g braking, 150 W/kg) driven on the computed line through an assumed 12 m wide track. Use it to see where the braking zones and flat-out sections are, not to predict your speeds. Elevation: USGS 3DEP 1/3 arc-second (NED 10 m) via OpenTopoData, sampled every 25 m along the mapped centerline.

04Turn by turn

Every turn at Road America.

Official turn numbers, with braking, turn-in, apex and exit notes researched from the sources listed below. Each diagram shows the computed line: the minimum-curvature path through an assumed 12 m wide track. It’s a geometric starting point. Your instructor’s line comes first, and the turn positions on the diagrams are matched to the mapped geometry by hand and approximate.

The OpenStreetMap loop TRACK uses follows the Bend, the slower bypass of the Kink that Road America uses for its own track days, so Turn 11 is placed on the Bend.

  1. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    80° right
    Tightest radius
    58 m
    Model speed
    141 → 71 mph
    Braking (model)
    215 m
    Grade
    -0.6%
    1

    Turn 1

    ↱ Rightfastsweepercrest

    A fast right-hand sweeper reached after the long uphill main straight crests just before the braking zone.1,2,3

    Braking
    Brake in a straight line after the first corner station; the school uses the access road on the left as its braking reference. Many cars need only a balanced brake and a downshift of one or two gears.
    Turn-in
    Ease the car in progressively at the 1 marker rather than snapping the wheel.
    Apex
    Aim for a late apex; the corner is faster than it looks.
    Exit
    Build throttle after turn-in and be at full power from apex to track-out, letting the car run toward the center of the track for Turn 2.
    Common mistakes
    Turning in early, over-slowing because the corner looks tighter than it is, and drifting left of the blend line when joining from pit-out.
  2. Not placed on the map: this turn doesn’t line up clearly with a corner in the mapped geometry.
    2

    Turn 2

    ↰ Leftfastkinkdownhill

    A gentle downhill bend that, on the right line, is barely a corner at all.1,3

    Braking
    None needed.
    Turn-in
    Let the car flow out of Turn 1 toward the center of the track so the bend straightens out.
    Apex
    Not a true apex; keep the wheel as straight as possible.
    Exit
    Head down the hill at a shallow angle to the left, straight into the Turn 3 braking zone.
    Common mistakes
    Hugging the right after Turn 1 and turning a straight into a corner.
  3. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    98° right
    Tightest radius
    38 m
    Model speed
    116 → 60 mph
    Braking (model)
    150 m
    Grade
    -1.0%
    3

    Turn 3

    ↱ Rightmediumdownhill

    A right-hander at the bottom of the hill that launches you onto the second-fastest stretch of the lap.1,2,3

    Braking
    Smooth braking in a straight line, with a downshift; the school uses the first orange marker as its braking reference.
    Turn-in
    Turn in once the braking is done and the car is settled; camber here can lock the right front tire.
    Apex
    Hit a clean apex so you can open the wheel early.
    Exit
    Roll on power smoothly from apex to track-out on the left side, then drift back to right of center.
    Common mistakes
    Overbraking on the downhill entry and locking the right front; running out of room at the exit.
  4. Not placed on the map: this turn doesn’t line up clearly with a corner in the mapped geometry.
    4

    Moraine Sweep

    fastkinkdownhill

    A gradual downhill bend under a bridge, part of the flat-out Moraine Sweep between Turns 3 and 5.1,3

    Braking
    None; this is a full-throttle section.
    Turn-in
    Simply place the car so you arrive back near the left edge for the Turn 5 braking zone.
    Apex
    Not a true apex.
    Exit
    Use this stretch to check mirrors and let faster cars by.
    Common mistakes
    Ignoring big closing speeds from higher-powered cars, and arriving at the Turn 5 brake zone out of position.
  5. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    100° left
    Tightest radius
    20 m
    Model speed
    142 → 44 mph
    Braking (model)
    220 m
    Grade
    -0.6%
    5

    Turn 5

    ↰ Leftslowhairpindownhill

    A tight left at the bottom of a downhill straight, one of the heaviest braking zones and the main passing spot on the lap.1,2,3,9

    Braking
    Do all braking in a straight line, starting from the left side and moving diagonally right; the school's reference is the 400 board. Leave a margin from the edge on this downhill approach.
    Turn-in
    Keep a little brake on as you turn toward the apex.
    Apex
    Late apex; there is no point carrying extra speed here.
    Exit
    Apply power smoothly to track-out and climb the hill toward Turn 6.
    Common mistakes
    Braking too late downhill, trail-braking too aggressively, and having no room for error on the right side of the braking zone.
  6. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    91° left
    Tightest radius
    30 m
    Model speed
    92 → 53 mph
    Braking (model)
    85 m
    Grade
    -0.2%
    6

    Turn 6

    ↰ Leftslowcrest

    A slow, blind left over the crest beyond a bridge, where the car goes light and grip is easily overwhelmed.1,2,3

    Braking
    Lift or begin braking just before the crest, release as you crest, and let the car settle before turning; the school uses the fence as its reference.
    Turn-in
    Do not turn in early; wait until the car has recovered from the dip past the bridge.
    Apex
    Late apex.
    Exit
    Smooth throttle to track-out, then bring the car back across to the left for Turn 7.
    Common mistakes
    Charging up the hill and braking over the crest, which unloads the car and causes a slide, especially on cool days with low grip.
  7. APEXTURN-INEXIT
    Turns
    55° right
    Tightest radius
    56 m
    Model speed
    ≈ 76 mph
    Braking (model)
    Lift / none
    Grade
    -3.5%
    7

    Turn 7

    ↱ Rightfastsweeperdownhill

    One of the fastest corners on the lap and one of the few with a mid to early apex.1,2,3

    Braking
    A lift, a brush of the brakes, or a short-shift is usually enough.
    Turn-in
    Turn in smoothly from the left side of the track.
    Apex
    Touch the apex curb so you use all of the road.
    Exit
    Build to full throttle and let the car drift right down the short, fast Hurry Downs straight.
    Common mistakes
    Being unsettled from a poor Turn 6 exit, and abrupt inputs at high speed.
  8. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    88° left
    Tightest radius
    28 m
    Model speed
    115 → 51 mph
    Braking (model)
    145 m
    Grade
    -0.6%
    8

    Turn 8

    ↰ Leftslowdownhill

    A tight, roughly 90-degree downhill left whose entry is off-camber, leading into the Carousel.1,2,3

    Braking
    Brake in a straight line; you will usually be faster down Hurry Downs than you think. The school uses the 300 board as its reference.
    Turn-in
    Turn in smoothly while the car is still descending on the off-camber surface.
    Apex
    Late apex; keep a little throttle on to settle the car as you approach it.
    Exit
    Add power progressively and stay right as you pass under the bridge to set up for Turn 9.
    Common mistakes
    Underestimating approach speed and trying to charge the entry; time is gained on the exit, not the entry.
  9. APEXEXIT
    Turns
    204° right
    Tightest radius
    60 m
    Model speed
    ≈ 75 mph
    Braking (model)
    Lift / none
    Grade
    -2.3% · crest
    9

    Carousel (entry)

    ↱ Rightmediumcarousel

    Entry to the Carousel, a long, flat right-hander with an apex far around the corner.1,2,3

    Braking
    Usually no braking needed.
    Turn-in
    Road America suggests holding the right tires about one to two feet from the right edge on entry rather than swinging wide.
    Apex
    The apex is a long way around; keep your eyes up and looking for it.
    Exit
    Stay smooth with steering and throttle as the corner opens into Turn 10.
    Common mistakes
    Drifting out into the marbles at mid-corner, which makes it hard to get back to the apex.
  10. Not placed on the map: this turn doesn’t line up clearly with a corner in the mapped geometry.
    10

    Carousel (exit)

    ↱ Rightmediumcarousel

    The exit half of the Carousel, where throttle helps steer the car out toward the Kink.1,2,3

    Braking
    None.
    Turn-in
    Continue the arc from Turn 9 with steady throttle.
    Apex
    Late in the corner; the school lines the car up on a darker asphalt patch at the exit.
    Exit
    Track out smoothly; if a wheel drops off, drive straight rather than wrestling the car back.
    Common mistakes
    Jerky throttle or steering in a fast corner, and yanking the car back onto the track after dropping a wheel.
  11. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    139° right
    Tightest radius
    22 m
    Model speed
    59 → 42 mph
    Braking (model)
    35 m
    Grade
    -0.9%
    11

    The Kink

    ↱ Rightfastkink

    A very fast right-hand bend with walls close by and little runoff; some events, including Road America's own track days, use the slower Bend instead.1,2,3,9

    Braking
    A brush of the brakes or a lift before turn-in.
    Turn-in
    Ease the car in progressively; Road America's notes use the last brake marker as the point to start bending it in.
    Apex
    Late apex touching the curb on the right; the curbs can unsettle the car.
    Exit
    Let the car track out along the left rumble strip, then follow the line through Kettle Bottoms.
    Common mistakes
    Abrupt inputs, turning in early, and overconfidence; if you go off at the exit, stay straight on the grass until it is safe to rejoin. If your event uses the Bend, follow that route and its heavier braking instead.
  12. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    91° right
    Tightest radius
    38 m
    Model speed
    136 → 56 mph
    Braking (model)
    195 m
    Grade
    +2.9%
    12

    Canada Corner

    ↱ Rightslow

    A tight right at the end of the fast run from the Kink, typically the hardest braking zone of the lap for many cars.1,2,3,9

    Braking
    Brake smoothly and firmly in a straight line from the left, mainly to balance the car; the school uses the 400 board. The surface is slightly bumpy and the track narrows from the left.
    Turn-in
    Leave a safety margin on the left; moving half a car width over can help, especially in the wet.
    Apex
    Apply power into the apex; the uphill slope helps stabilize the car.
    Exit
    Track out to the left, then sweep gently right to set up for Turn 13.
    Common mistakes
    Braking too late after the fastest part of the lap, and crowding the narrowing left edge.
  13. APEXTURN-INEXITBRAKE
    Turns
    62° left
    Tightest radius
    68 m
    Model speed
    101 → 78 mph
    Braking (model)
    75 m
    Grade
    +5.9%
    13

    Bill Mitchell Bend

    ↰ Leftfastsweeperuphill

    A fast uphill left at the top of Thunder Valley, with a banked apex and exit that let you get on power early.1,2,3,9

    Braking
    A slight lift is usually enough; the school treats it as a no-brake or brush-brake corner.
    Turn-in
    Start the corner from the right after the Canada Corner exit; the apex is hard to see.
    Apex
    You must reach the apex; there is a small dip near it that can cause a spin.
    Exit
    Unwind the wheel and use full throttle to track-out, using the access road on the right as a visual guide.
    Common mistakes
    Over-steering the car, missing the apex, and being caught out by the dip.
  14. APEXTURN-INEXIT
    Turns
    96° right
    Tightest radius
    41 m
    Model speed
    ≈ 61 mph
    Braking (model)
    Lift / none
    Grade
    0.0%
    14

    Turn 14

    ↱ Rightmediumsweeper

    A fairly quick right of more than 90 degrees that leads onto the long uphill main straight and past the pit entrance.1,2,3

    Braking
    Straight-line braking; the school uses the 200 board.
    Turn-in
    Turn in after braking with your eyes up.
    Apex
    Late apex.
    Exit
    Smooth power up the hill; try not to use the outside rumble strip at track-out.
    Common mistakes
    Missing drivers signalling to exit into the pits here, and giving up a clean exit that costs speed all the way up the straight.

How the turns link up

Turns 14 to 1: Road America Straight

The lap is built around the exit of Turn 14. A clean, late-apex exit carries speed up the steep hill to the crest before Turn 1. Lower-powered cars should expect to be passed here and simply point by; there will be clear track later in the lap.

Turns 1 to 5: downhill and the Moraine Sweep

Turn 1 flows downhill through the non-corner of Turn 2 straight into the Turn 3 brake zone. Turn 3 matters because it starts the long full-throttle Moraine Sweep to Turn 5. Give up a little entry speed at 3 to get a good exit, and arrive at the Turn 5 brake zone on the left side of the track.

Turns 5 to 8: the hill and Hurry Downs

Turns 5 and 6 are slow corners where you gain little by pushing. Their job is to set up what follows: 5 sets up the climb to 6, and 6 sets up the very fast Turn 7. Turn 7 leads down the short Hurry Downs straight into the off-camber Turn 8, which should be approached with patience.

Turns 9 and 10: the Carousel

A long right-hander with a distant apex. Hold a tight, consistent line, be gentle with the inputs, and focus on the exit, which starts the long fast stretch toward Canada Corner.

Turn 11 to Turn 12: the Kink and Kettle Bottoms

After the Kink, the half-mile to Canada Corner is technically a straight but includes two left-hand bends between walls and Armco. Use slow, small steering inputs, diagonals across the track, and be cautious about passing here. Some events route through the Bend instead of the Kink, which adds a heavy braking zone and a two-part slow corner whose second half matters most.

Turns 12 to 14: Thunder Valley

Canada Corner is the big stop; get it done in a straight line, then use the uphill climb through Thunder Valley to Turn 13. Turn 13 rewards commitment to the apex and a fully unwound exit, and a short straight-line braking zone sets up Turn 14 and the start of another lap.

Playbook: what matters here

  1. 01

    Instructors and event rules come first

    This guide is general. Your instructor, the driver's meeting and your event's rules on passing, flags and track routing override anything here.

  2. 02

    Respect the blend line

    When leaving the pits, stay to the right of the painted blend line all the way to the apex of Turn 1. Cars arrive up the front straight at very high speed, and Road America says crossing the line early will get you black-flagged.

  3. 03

    Brake straight on the downhill approaches

    Turns 3, 5 and 8 are all approached downhill. Finish most of your braking in a straight line and leave a tire's width from the edge to allow for differences in pad bite and tire squirm.

  4. 04

    Slow in, fast out at 5, 6 and 8

    These tight corners lead onto long fast sections. Sacrifice entry speed for a stable car and an early, smooth throttle application.

  5. 05

    Be patient over the crest at Turn 6

    The corner is blind and the car goes light at the top of the hill. Get your braking done before the crest and wait for the car to settle before turning in.

  6. 06

    Small hands on the back half

    From the Carousel through Kettle Bottoms, the speeds are high and the margins are smaller. Smooth steering and throttle inputs are faster and safer than aggressive ones.

  7. 07

    Check which route your event runs

    Road America's notes say its own track days use the Bend in place of the Kink. Confirm the route at the driver's meeting so you know whether to expect a fast bend or a heavy braking zone after the Carousel.

  8. 08

    Use the straights to let faster cars by

    Power differences are large here. The Moraine Sweep and the front straight are natural places to point by faster cars; watch closing speeds into the brake zones.

05Surface, conditions & rules

Know the surface before you trust it.

Surface

The entire course and pit lane were milled and repaved in October 2022, only the second full repave since the track opened. The work was surveyed so that track width, camber and curb positions match the original layout closely. Road America's notes say a small dip remains at Turn 6 after the repave, and the approach to Canada Corner is slightly bumpy.

2022Last full repave. Full-course mill and repave including pit lane, begun October 3, 2022 and finished that autumn; the previous full repave was in 1995. A polymer-modified mix with locally sourced Wisconsin aggregate was used, and the original layout was preserved.7,8

  • A slight dip remains at the crest-to-corner transition of Turn 6 even after the 2022 repave.1
  • The braking zone and entry to Canada Corner (Turn 12) are slightly bumpy and the track narrows from the left.1
  • There is a dip near the apex of Turn 13 that can unsettle the car.1
  • In the rain, water runs across the track in the area after the Kink, and the official rain line generally moves off the dry line.1,2
  • Turn 3's camber tends to make the right front tire lock under braking.3
  • The first part of Turn 8 is off-camber and downhill.1
Curbs
Curb positions were reset to match the original layout during the 2022 repave. The Kink's curbs can upset the car, while the rumble strips at the Bend are described as nearly flat. Road America's notes advise staying off the outside rumble strip at the exit of Turn 14.
Runoff
Road America describes plenty of runoff at the high-speed corners, including gravel and runoff at the Carousel. The Kink and Kettle Bottoms (Turn 11 to Turn 12) are the exception: the track there is narrow and lined with concrete walls or Armco with little runoff.
Weather

The track sits in the Kettle Moraine hills, and autumn sessions offer striking fall colors. Road America's notes warn that grip is lower on cool days, especially at the crest of Turn 6. In the rain, water runs across the track after the Kink, the recommended rain line moves off the dry line, and drivers are advised to go around the outside of the Carousel and give more room at Canada Corner. Bring rain gear and expect conditions to change through the day.1,2

Noise

We couldn’t verify a published sound limit. Ask your event organizer for the limit on your date.

Passing & event rules

Passing rules are set by each event organizer. At HPDE events Road America describes a pit-out light where green means the track is open with passing allowed, yellow means open but no passing, and red means the track is closed. No passing under yellow flags until after the next station not showing yellow.

  • Pit lane speed limit at most HPDE events is usually 35 mph, and paddock speed should be 15 mph.1
  • Stay right of the blend line from pit-out until the apex of Turn 1.1
  • At most HPDE events the session ends with a cool-down lap and an exit at Turn 5; you can also leave through pit-in after Turn 14. Signal with a raised fist before exiting and do not change your mind.1
  • Black-flagged cars, and those shown their number on the board near Turn 14, must come in through pit-in after Turn 14.1
  • Road America's notes call for a Snell 2015 or later helmet; helmet rental may be available. Most organizations require long pants and closed-toe shoes.1
  • Personal golf carts, ATVs and unlicensed vehicles are not allowed on the property; facility golf carts can be rented.4,5
Paddock & facilities
  • Track fuel (91, 98 and 110 octane) is sold next to victory lane; at club events it is available by credit card to registered drivers. Air is available at the track gas station.1,4
  • Garages in the Hagerty Tech Center can be rented by contacting Road America directly.1
  • HPDE participants typically park in the Competition, Lower West, West or Main Paddock, depending on the event.1
  • Cars typically grid in the False Grid before a session and head out through the pits.1
  • Concession stands operate during larger events with variable hours and many accept only cash; ATMs are on site. On-site camping, cabins and a chalet are available.4,5

Rules and facilities change. Your event organizer’s rules and the venue’s current information always win.

06Time it with TRACK

Drive Road America. TRACK knows where you are.

No setup and no transponder. Start a session in the paddock and TRACK recognises Road America and the layout from your GPS trace, then times every lap and sector with a live delta to your best.

iPhone · betaAndroid · planned
Join early accessSee lap timing
  1. 1DetectTRACK matches your first few hundred metres against every mapped layout at Road America, including shared pavement between configurations.
  2. 2Confirm the lineThe start/finish line here is estimated. When you’re stopped, TRACK shows it on the map: accept it or tap to move it. You’re never asked while driving.
  3. 3Laps, timed retroactivelyLaps you drove before confirming are timed from the recorded trace, so you don’t lose your first session.
  4. 4Go furtherSync a GoPro for video with telemetry and let TRACK Engineer point out where the time is. External 10–25 Hz GPS receivers for tighter sectors are awaiting hardware validation.
  5. Venue and layout detection is tested on simulated drives over real OpenStreetMap circuits, not yet in a real car. Compatible GPS receivers

07Plan your trip

Getting there, staying, eating.

Fly in
  • MKEMilwaukee Mitchell InternationalAbout 1 hour by car
  • GRBGreen Bay Austin Straubel InternationalAbout 1 hour by car
  • ATWAppleton InternationalAbout 45 minutes by car
  • ORDChicago O'Hare InternationalAbout 3 hours by car
  • MDWChicago Midway InternationalAbout 3 hours by car
  • SBMSheboygan County Memorial (general aviation)About 10 minutes by car
Arriving

Road America is at N7390 State Hwy 67 in Plymouth, Wisconsin, near Elkhart Lake, about halfway between Milwaukee and Green Bay. Drive times are Road America's own estimates.

Drive times are approximate.

Nearby places for Road America haven’t been loaded yet.

08Track days

Find an open track day at Road America.

Open track days & HPDEHPDE events on MotorsportRegWe couldn’t match Road America to a MotorsportReg venue page yet. Search MotorsportReg’s HPDE calendar by location.See events ↗
Calendar on this pageComing soon

TRACK doesn’t copy event listings. An on-page calendar will come with an organizer data partnership.

Venue calendar & infoRun events here? TRACK for organizers

09Nearby tracks

Closest mapped venues.

Straight-line distance between venues. All 96 tracks

FAQ

Road America, answered.

How long is Road America?

The road course is 4.048 miles (about 6.5 km) with 14 turns, and the layout has not changed since 1955.

Is Road America good for beginners at a track day?

Yes, with an instructor. It has long straights and a lot of runoff at the fast corners, but it is a fast track with blind and downhill corners and a tight walled section near the Kink, so follow your instructor and the event's rules.

Do track days at Road America use the Kink?

It depends on the event. Road America's notes say its own track days use the Bend in place of the Kink, and some other events do the same. Check at the driver's meeting.

When was Road America last repaved?

The full course and pit lane were repaved in October 2022, the first full repave since 1995.

Where is the best passing zone?

Under event passing rules, the long straights before Turns 1, 5 and 12 offer the most room, and Turn 5 and Canada Corner are often cited as passing spots. Pass only where and how your group allows.

Can I buy fuel at the track?

Yes. Road America sells 91, 98 and 110 octane next to victory lane, available at club events to registered drivers.

Which airport is closest to Road America?

For airline service, Appleton is about 45 minutes away, and Milwaukee and Green Bay are about an hour each. Sheboygan County Memorial, about 10 minutes away, handles private aircraft.

How much elevation change is there at Road America?

About 180 ft (55 m) between the lowest and highest points of the full circuit layout, from USGS 3DEP elevation data sampled every 25 m. The steepest stretch is around 12%.

Can I time laps at Road America with my phone?

Yes, with the TRACK iPhone app (beta). It recognises Road America and the layout you’re driving from GPS, then times laps and sectors. A phone’s GPS is good for lap times; an external 10–25 Hz receiver tightens sector splits.

Where is the start/finish line at Road America?

TRACK estimates the line from the mapped geometry (usually beside the pit lane, or on the longest straight). It isn’t verified on site, so the app asks you to confirm or move it before timing your first session here.

Where can I stay near Road America?

This page lists hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, fuel and parts stores near Road America from OpenStreetMap, with straight-line distances. Book early for big event weekends.

Sources

Where this comes from.

Researched 2026-10-18 and written in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it.

  1. 1.Road America Track Notes 2026 (HPDE driver notes, dated 1/15/2025) · Road America · accessed 2026-10-18
  2. 2.Driving Road America: Turn-by-Turn (High Performance Driving School 2025 reference points) · Road America · accessed 2026-10-18
  3. 3.Virtual Track Tour Guide · Road America · accessed 2026-10-18
  4. 4.Frequently Asked Questions · Road America · accessed 2026-10-18
  5. 5.Plan Your Visit · Road America · accessed 2026-10-18
  6. 6.Road America · Wikipedia · accessed 2026-10-18
  7. 7.Road America Completes Repave · SPEED SPORT · accessed 2026-10-18
  8. 8.Paving The Future With An Eye On The Past · IMSA · accessed 2026-10-18
  9. 9.Road America turn-by-turn analysis · NASCAR · accessed 2026-10-18
What we couldn’t verify (8)
  • No sound or decibel limit for Road America could be verified; check with the event organizer.
  • The direction of Turn 4 (the Moraine Sweep bend) is not stated in any source and is left null. The direction of Turn 2 is inferred from Road America's description of a shallow leftward run down the hill.
  • Turn directions for 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14 are inferred from Road America's line descriptions (track-out sides) and the clockwise layout; Turns 5, 11, 12 and 13 are confirmed by NASCAR's analysis (fetch blocked, confirmed via search snippet).
  • The NASCAR and IMSA articles could not be fetched directly (HTTP 403); their facts were taken from search-result summaries and match Road America's own documents.
  • The 160 ft elevation figure is from Road America's HPDE notes; no other independent published figure was found. Per-turn elevations on the virtual tour page include obvious errors at Turns 2 and 4.
  • Thunder Valley is the local name for the stretch from Turn 12 to Turn 13, not a numbered corner; the OSM 'Thunder Valley' label maps to that section.
  • The exact layout and numbering of the Bend alternative (sometimes labeled 11/11B) was not fully verified.
  • No climate statistics or operating-season dates were verified.

Track geometry and nearby places: © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License 1.0 (via the TRACK Atlas, snapshot 2026-10-17). Elevation: USGS 3DEP (public domain). Lengths are mapped centerlines, not official figures. The computed line and speed trace are a model. No start/finish line has been verified on site.

TRACK is not affiliated with or endorsed by Road America, MotorsportReg or any business listed here. The venue name identifies the location only and belongs to its owner. TRACK shows no lap records or official results for this venue. Driving advice is general: your instructor, the event’s rules and the venue’s rules come first.