Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach is an Atlantic coast city in Volusia County, famous for Daytona International Speedway, the Daytona 500 and stretches of beach where cars are still allowed on the sand. Beyond race weeks, it offers a long, flat beach, the Main Street Pier and easy access to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse to the south.

Where is Daytona Beach?

Daytona Beach sits on Florida’s east coast about 55 miles northeast of Orlando, where I-4 meets I-95. The city spans the mainland and a barrier island across the Halifax River, linked by several bridges including the Main Street, International Speedway Boulevard and Seabreeze bridges. Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) is next to the Speedway, about 10 minutes from the beach, and Orlando International (MCO) is roughly an hour away by I-4.

Things to do in Daytona Beach

Daytona International Speedway hosts the Daytona 500 every February plus other major races through the year, and it offers tours on non-event days. On the beachside, the Main Street Pier, the boardwalk and the Daytona Beach Bandshell, which hosts free summer concerts, are the core of the classic beach scene. On the mainland, the Museum of Arts and Sciences and Jackie Robinson Ballpark, a historic minor league park, are worth the trip across the river.

Beach driving is allowed in designated sections, with a 10 mph speed limit and daytime hours that vary by season and tide. Volusia County residents drive free, while visitors pay a daily vehicle fee or buy an annual pass. Check the county’s beach app or website for which ramps are open before you go.

When to visit Daytona Beach

Daytona’s calendar is shaped by events. February’s Speedweeks, March’s Bike Week and October’s Biketoberfest bring huge crowds and higher room demand, so book early or plan around them if you want a quiet trip. Spring and fall are pleasant for beach days, and summer is hot, busy and stormy in the afternoons, with hurricane season running June through November.