ABOUT DARLINGTON & FLORENCE

Darlington, South Carolina, is a small Southern city with roughly 6,000 residents and serves as the county seat of Darlington County.

Founded in the mid‑1800s, Darlington is a quiet town for most of the year, but it comes alive during NASCAR race weekends. Visitors will find a charming historic downtown, a few local restaurants, and the Darlington Raceway Museum, which celebrates the track’s place in motorsport history. Hotel options are very limited, so most racegoers stay elsewhere.

Just 10 to 12 miles southeast lies Florence, the largest city in the region with around 39,000 residents and a metro area approaching 200,000. Florence is the main hub for Darlington Raceway visitors, offering a wide range of hotels, restaurants, and services. The city has a modern commercial district with chain hotels, shopping at Magnolia Mall, and plenty of casual dining, including Southern barbecue and seafood. Florence also has a small regional airport with flights connecting through Charlotte and Atlanta, and its location at the crossroads of Interstates 95 and 20 makes it very accessible by car.

For a race weekend, Darlington gives you the authentic, historic NASCAR atmosphere, while Florence provides the comfort and convenience of a larger city. Most fans choose to stay in Florence for the variety of hotels and dining, while making the short 15‑ to 20‑minute drive to the speedway for all the on‑track action.