Chicago Marathon 2026: How to Get Around on Race Weekend

The Chicago Marathon 2026 is on Sunday, October 11. More than 50,000 runners are expected to take over the city streets, and a big part of downtown will be closed to cars. Whether you are running, cheering or just trying to get across town, here is what to know about race weekend.

This is the 48th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The race starts and ends in Grant Park. The course winds through 29 neighborhoods, and organizers expect about 1.7 million people to line the streets. It is one of the biggest days of the year in Chicago, and one of the hardest days to drive downtown.

Chicago Marathon 2026 weekend schedule

Times can change. Always check the official Chicago Marathon site and race app before you head out.

The expo at McCormick Place

Every runner has to pick up their bib at the Abbott Health and Fitness Expo. It is in McCormick Place, North Building, Level 3, Hall B1. There is no packet pickup on race day, so this trip is a must. The expo is free and open to the public, so friends and family can come too.

If you are getting dropped off, race organizers suggest using the McCormick Place East Building as your drop-off spot. Big bags and luggage are not welcome inside, and everyone goes through a security check. If you land at O'Hare or Midway on Saturday, give yourself plenty of time. The expo closes at 6 PM sharp, and a late flight can leave you with very little margin.

Road closures to plan around

Closures start days before the race. Streets around Grant Park, Columbus Drive and parts of Michigan Avenue begin to close during race week. On Sunday, Grant Park is closed to cars for most of the day, and roads along the course close in stages as runners come through.

The course heads north to Lakeview, loops back through downtown, runs west past the West Loop, then turns south through Pilsen and Chinatown before it finishes in Grant Park. If you live anywhere near the route, you may not be able to drive out of your block until the last runners pass. The city posts a full list of closures and reopening times on the official race site.

Race morning for runners

Grant Park opens at 5:30 AM. Corrals close in order, so your start time depends on your wave. The last thing you want on race morning is a late car or a surge price. A pre-booked car picks you up at your hotel or home, drops you as close as the closures allow, and gets you there with time to warm up.

Coming in from the suburbs? We drive runners in from Naperville, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, Evanston and more. An early start means no parking hunt and no train schedule to worry about.

Cheering from the sidelines

Spectating is free, and the course has a lot of good spots. Because the route goes out and back in a few places, you can see your runner more than once if you plan well. The hard part is moving between spots when half the streets are closed.

This is where an hourly chauffeur helps. Your driver takes you to one cheering spot, waits, then moves you to the next one on roads that are still open. You keep your coat, snacks and signs in the car. For a big group of family and friends, a Sprinter van keeps everyone together.

Flying out on race day

Many runners and fans fly home on Sunday afternoon. Traffic around downtown can be slow while roads are still closed. Leave extra time, and book your airport ride ahead of the weekend. We track your flight time and plan a route to O'Hare or Midway that stays clear of the course.

Wrap up

The Chicago Marathon 2026 is a great day for the city, but it is not a day for driving downtown. Pick up your bib early, check the official closure list and book your rides before the weekend fills up. Then you can focus on the race, or on cheering the loudest.