How to Get to the NASCAR Coronado Race Without the Bridge

Why the bridge is the problem

Naval Base Coronado sits on a peninsula with effectively one way in by car: the Coronado Bridge. The race runs inside an active naval base, so access is controlled and security screened, and every fan, vendor, and rideshare funnels across the same span. Post-race, when tens of thousands leave at once, that bridgehead backs up for an hour or more — and that's exactly when rideshare surge pricing spikes. Driving yourself means sitting in it; calling a rideshare means paying a premium to sit in it — at an event this size Uber and Lyft routinely surge 2–3× or more, and a surge-priced ride can dwarf EGT's flat $50 each way (on World Cup nights at SoFi we watched normally-$25 rides multiply several times over). That flat-rate, named-driver model is why San Diego riders pick EGT over a surging app. Race weekend is waitlist-only because the fleet is committed — add your name and we call the moment a seat opens.

The bridge-free route, step by step

1. EGT picks you up anywhere in metro San Diego at your door.
2. We drop you at the downtown ferry landing (Broadway Pier) — an easy, traffic-light run that never touches the bridge.
3. You ride the San Diego Bay ferry across to the Coronado Ferry Landing — a short, scenic crossing that bypasses the entire bridge bottleneck.
4. From the Coronado Ferry Landing, it's about a 1-mile walk west on 1st Street to the Yellow Carrier Gate — the base's only pedestrian entrance — or two blocks to the Route 901 bus. There's no shuttle from the ferry and private cars can't drive onto the base, so this last stretch is on foot or by transit.
5. After the checkered flag, walk back to the Coronado Ferry Landing and board the ferry. Text EGT at (858) 522-0264 from the boat — your driver is waiting at Broadway Pier to take you home, while everyone else is still stuck on the bridge.

Ferry departures per Flagship Cruises (Broadway Pier route, ~15-min crossing, roughly hourly with extra early sailings added for NASCAR weekend June 19–21); EGT times your pickup to the boat. From the Coronado Ferry Landing it is a ~1-mile walk west on 1st Street to the Yellow Carrier Gate — there is no shuttle from the ferry. Base access, pedestrian-entry and Route 901 guidance per NASCARSanDiego.com and SDMTS.

Race day: what time should you leave for the ferry?

EGT's first run to the ferry is 7:30 AM, then every 45 minutes. Our last drop-off at the Broadway Pier ferry is 12:45 PM Saturday June 20 and 12:00 noon Sunday June 21 — plan your morning around those windows.

A good rule of thumb: be on a ferry about 2 to 2.5 hours before you want to be at the gate. The bay crossing runs ~15 minutes, then the ~1-mile walk (or Route 901 bus) from the Coronado Ferry Landing to the Yellow Carrier Gate and security screening, plus buffer for the race-morning crowd. For an afternoon green flag, that means a mid-to-late-morning run — and plan your return ferry for after the checkered flag so you're not improvising when tens of thousands leave at once.

• Relaxed option: take an earlier 7:30–9:00 AM run, grab coffee on the island, and beat the rush entirely.
• Cutting it close: Saturday's last ferry drop-off is 12:45 PM and Sunday's is 12:00 noon — book an early run so you're not squeezed against the last window.
• Confirm the boat: the Coronado ferry runs roughly hourly with extra early sailings added for NASCAR weekend — check current departures at Flagship Cruises. We time your EGT pickup to the sailing.

How the ferry ride works

EGT picks you up anywhere in metro San Diego and drops you at your choice of the two downtown ferry piers; you ride the bay ferry across, then it's a ~1-mile walk (or Route 901 bus) to the Yellow Carrier Gate — you're on the island bridge-free. Heading home, text us once you're aboard the return ferry and your driver meets you back at the downtown pier.

$50 one-way, any vehicle from EGT's all-electric San Diego fleet (BMW i7 or Escalade IQ-L). The return leg from the downtown ferry landing back to your drop-off is another $50 — book both together as a round trip when you contact us. No surge.

What it costs — and why the ferry beats the bridge

We route every NASCAR rider via the ferry on purpose: it's faster onto the island, it keeps a bridge backup from eating into your race day, and the flat San-Diego-side fare costs less than fighting the bridge. EGT works the San Diego side only — it drops you at the downtown ferry landing and meets you back there; you ride the ferry across yourself. Here's the full math, nothing hidden.

Why it's the better deal — and the sources to check us on it:

• The ferry is the officially recommended way in. NASCAR San Diego recommends the Coronado Ferry, and to drive onto the base you need a color-coded digital parking pass tied to your ticket. NASCAR San Diego FAQ.
• $9 each way, frequent sailings, two downtown piers. Flagship runs the Coronado ferry from Broadway Pier and the Convention Center (Fifth Avenue Landing) on a 15-minute crossing — they even publish a dedicated NASCAR ferry page. Flagship routes & fares · Flagship NASCAR ferry.
• Rideshare surges and drops you far from the gate. Rideshare drop-off is at Colorado St & Stockdale Blvd, and app prices spike when ~50,000 fans leave one bridgehead at once. Fox 5 San Diego.
• Driving yourself still means the bridge, a paid pass, and a walk. The Coronado Bridge is the only road on, and from any lot — or the ferry — it's about a 1-mile walk to the Yellow Carrier Gate. City of Coronado.

We priced the ferry route below our old over-the-bridge rate on purpose. Getting you there faster and for less is the better business — and you can verify every number above at its source.

Ferry fare and schedule per Flagship Cruises & Events (Coronado one-way $9, ages 4+). Race access, parking-pass and rideshare guidance per NASCARSanDiego.com, Fox 5 San Diego, and the City of Coronado. The EGT fare is the named-driver leg only; the $9 ferry ticket is bought from Flagship. Checked June 17, 2026.

Race weekend is waitlist-only — add your name

EGT runs the San Diego side only: we drop you at the downtown San Diego ferry landing (Broadway Pier) for $50 one-way, any vehicle, and meet you back at that same San Diego spot for the return pickup (round trip = both San Diego-side legs, $100). You ride the ferry across to Coronado and back yourself — we do not cross to the island, drive onto the base, or pick up on the Coronado side. It's waitlist-only right now (the fleet is committed for June 19–21). Cancellations and freed-up seats happen — add your details and an owner calls the moment a slot opens. No deposit, no obligation. Prefer to talk first? Call (858) 522-0264 or text us — an owner answers.

You're on the waitlist — timestamped. An owner calls the moment a seat opens. Want to check status now? Call (858) 522-0264 or text — an owner answers.

Related

· NASCAR San Diego weekend hub (all three days)

· Saturday Jun 20 — O'Reilly Series

· Sunday Jun 21 — Cup Series Anduril 250

· Flying in for the race? San Diego airport transfer (SAN) — flat-rate, flight-tracked