Infineon Post-Race Traffic

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Don’t give a darn about auto or bike racing? Think you can safely ignore Infineon’s schedule during your travels in Sonoma? Not if you’re wise in the ways of event traffic. The turnoff to Infineon Raceway lies roughly at the intersection of Highways 37 and 121. These charming and scenic two-lane roads are great for motoring and sightseeing — unless, of course, you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper race traffic. The absolute worst time to try to drive either of these roads (particularly Hwy. 37 out of Sonoma) is when a major race event has finished.

The wretched traffic jams, which truly are more stop than go, can last for hours as people try to exit the racetrack into the unprotected intersection. In the summer, the sweltering heat causes both engines and tempers to overheat, to no good end.

So what can you do?

  • Check the race schedule (www.infineonraceway.com), and avoid the roads in question for at least four hours after the scheduled or estimated end of a big race.

  • Plot another route to your next destination, or stick around in Sonoma until well after the traffic is likely to have unsnarled. (Give it about six hours post-race.)

  • Escape via Highway 12 east to Napa or north to Santa Rosa. From Santa Rosa, catch Highway 101 south to the Bay Area or north toward the Russian River. If heading to Napa, pick up Highway 37 at a less crowded spot and then follow it south to Highway 80. Highway 80 will either take you south to the East Bay or east into Sacramento and beyond.

    • © Liz Hamill Scott from Moon California, 2nd Edition

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