As the annual convoy snakes through the city from midday, Canberrans will vie for prime spots to view the fast and furious street machines.

The cruise takes the place of the unofficial "super cruises" that attracted police attention in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Last year, Summernats' finest set a cracking pace as hundreds lined Northbourne Avenue to watch cars flashing past at a rate of almost 40 cars a minute.

This year's run into the city should see the vehicles set a steadier pace.

"The cruise will travel at approximately 30 kilometres per hour with a police escort involving a lead car and trailing car to ensure a consistent spread throughout the Cruise. Roads ACT will also coordinate the traffic lights for the Cruise to ensure it proceeds provided for emergency service vehicles if necessary," acting director of Roads ACT, Ken Marshall said.

The cruise will set off from the entrance of Exhibition Park in Canberra down Flemington Road, before heading towards the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue.

From there it will travel towards the intersection of Northbourne Avenue and London Circuit before heading back towards EPIC via Northbourne.

For safety reasons, punters are not allowed to watch the cruise from the central median strip on Northbourne Avenue or the Federal Highway.

But that doesn't mean you'll miss out on a great view of the unofficial opening of Australia's biggest horsepower party, Mr Marshall said.

"The best vantage points are in the city and at the entrance to EPIC at the intersection of the Federal Highway and Stirling Avenue. These locations are where the vehicles will be travelling at their slowest so people have more of a chance to see them. There is also parking available in the city and parking is available at EPIC via Old Well Station Road, off the Federal Highway."

An alcohol ban is in place along the Federal Highway and Northbourne Avenue for the duration of the cruise and police will assist with crowd control.

Motorists are warned to expect delays and closures around EPIC from Thursday until Sunday.

The speed limit on Flemington Road will be reduced to 40 kilometres per hour between Sandford Street and Northbourne Avenue.

Stirling Avenue will be closed between Northbourne Avenue and Aspinall Street in Watson but Phillip Avenue and Swinden Street will remain open.

There will be delays on Northbourne Avenue so drivers should use Antill Street and Wakefield Avenue as alternate routes.

Travellers are advised to use Gungahlin Drive for travel to and from Gungahlin.

Alternate routes will be signposted.

"No Parking" and "No Camping" signs will be enforced on both sides of Northbourne Avenue but additional parking will be available north of EPIC, with access via Sandford Street or Old Well Station Road.

Inspectors will be targeting illegal and verge parking.

For up-to-date information on road closures please call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Summernats 29 runs at Exhibition Park in Civic from January 7 to 10.