Charter Bus Parking & Dropoff Guide to Des Moines, Iowa Sports Venues & Arenas
Don't waste your pre-game energy circling packed downtown lots or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on I-235 when a private bus can handle the roads for you! Because Bus
Jack Trice Stadium (Home of the Iowa State Cyclones)
What could be better than rolling into Ames with your entire tailgate group together for a Big 12 football Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium? Whether you book a party bus with Bluetooth sound and LED lighting or a full-size motorcoach with undercarriage bays for coolers and tents, your group skips the multi-car caravan up I-35 North and arrives ready to cheer on the Cyclones!
Major Roadways to Jack Trice Stadium
Groups traveling north from Des Moines and Ankeny will take I-35 North to Exit 111B for US-30 West, which connects directly to the stadium via University Boulevard (Exit 146). Once you exit onto University Boulevard, wide commercial lanes lead straight toward the Iowa State Center complex and the east side of the stadium. If you are approaching from the west or bypassing highway backups, Lincoln Way and South 4th Street serve as the primary local connectors framing the athletic campus. Always build extra travel buffer into your schedule on Saturdays, as traffic backs up at the I-35 and US-30 interchange up to three hours before kickoff!
Charter Bus Drop-Off & Pickup at Jack Trice Stadium
For smooth passenger unloading, charter buses should approach via University Boulevard and pull into the outer lanes of the Iowa State Center lots between Center Drive and South 4th Street. Stopping or idling directly on University Boulevard or South 16th Street is strictly prohibited by Ames Police and campus traffic officers, so make sure your whole group is packed up and ready to step off quickly. After the final whistle, have your group meet at a clear landmark like the Stephens Auditorium courtyard on the north side of Center Drive before walking together to the bus loading zone. Once you book online through the national booking platform, a confirmation department calls you to verify your exact game-day meeting spot and timeline!
Charter Bus Parking & Waiting at Jack Trice Stadium
Designated single-game charter bus and RV parking is located in Lot G7 and the paved Iowa State Center lots (Lots C1 and C2) just east of University Boulevard, while Lot S8 is reserved for season-long passes. Because oversized spaces fill up early on Big 12 game days, coordinate your parking pass with the ISU Athletics Ticket Office in advance so your bus can stay parked on site for pre-game tailgating and post-game boarding!
Event-Day Closures & Traffic
Beginning several hours before kickoff and lasting until an hour after the game, South 4th Street between University Boulevard and Beach Avenue and Beach Avenue along the west side of the stadium close to general through-traffic. Expect contra-flow traffic patterns on University Boulevard after the fourth quarter, and plan to arrive at least three hours early to beat the heaviest gridlock.
Casey's Center (Home of the Iowa Chops)
With Bus
Major Roadways to Casey's Center
The fastest route to the arena is via I-235, which cuts right through downtown Des Moines just two blocks north of the complex. Drivers can take Exit 8A (7th Street / 5th Avenue / 3rd Street) when heading eastbound or Exit 8B (2nd Avenue / 3rd Street) when traveling westbound to drop straight onto the downtown grid. From the north or south, 2nd Avenue, 3rd Street, and Grand Avenue provide direct surface access around the Iowa Events Center and the Des Moines River bridges.
Charter Bus Drop-Off & Pickup at Casey's Center
Charter buses can load and unload passengers along the designated curbside pull-off zone on the west side of 3rd Street between Center Street and Park Street, right outside the main arena entrances. Groups attending tournaments connected to Hy-Vee Hall or Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center can also coordinate active drop-offs along 5th Avenue near Crocker Street. Because downtown Des Moines enforces strict active-loading rules and limits commercial idling to five minutes, keep your group gathered inside the main lobby until your bus pulls up to the 3rd Street curb!
Charter Bus Parking & Waiting at Casey's Center
While regular cars fill the main surface lot north of the arena, charter buses and oversized vehicles are directed to the northern section of the Iowa Events Center North Lot—entered off 3rd Street or 2nd Avenue north of School Street, just north of the I-235 overpass. Oversized surface parking is paid upon entry on event days, and the Center Street Park & Ride garage has height clearances that prevent motorcoaches from entering. If the North Lot reaches capacity during February and March state basketball and wrestling tournaments, drivers can stage off-site near the Principal Park surface lots south of Court Avenue and return down 3rd Street in five minutes when you text them.
Event-Day Closures & Traffic
When hockey games or sold-out concerts overlap with weekday evening rush hour (4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.), traffic bottlenecks quickly along the I-235 exit ramps and down 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue. During major state tournaments and conventions, Crocker Street and portions of 5th Avenue may have temporary lane restrictions managed by Des Moines Police to protect heavy pedestrian crossings.
Drake Stadium (Home of the Drake Relays)
Give your track and field athletes, alumni group, or marching band a stress-free ride to Drake Stadium for Bulldogs football games or the world-famous Blue Oval at the Drake Relays! You can fill out one quick form to see Des Moines charter bus prices and book a comfortable ride with undercarriage storage for pole vaults, hurdles, and team tents in under 30 seconds.
Major Roadways to Drake Stadium
To reach the Drake University campus, take I-235 to Exit 5B (31st Street) or Exit 6 (Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway / 19th Street) and head north. From there, Forest Avenue, University Avenue, and 27th Street serve as the main neighborhood corridors bordering the stadium and the Knapp Center.
Charter Bus Drop-Off & Pickup at Drake Stadium
For Bulldogs games and track meets, charter buses typically load and unload passengers along the north side of Forest Avenue between 27th Street and 28th Street, directly across from the main stadium gates. Visiting team buses and officials can also coordinate pull-in access along 27th Street near the Bell Center and Knapp Center athletic loop. Because the surrounding Drake neighborhood features tight residential streets, drivers must stick to marked commercial zones on Forest Avenue and move promptly after active unloading.
Charter Bus Parking & Waiting at Drake Stadium
Because Drake Stadium sits inside a compact urban campus, on-site parking for full-size motorcoaches is limited during major events. Team buses with advance credentials from Drake Athletics may stage in designated areas near Lot 1 (25th Street and Forest Avenue) or the tennis center lots off 27th Street. When campus lots are reserved for pass holders during the Drake Relays, drivers can relocate down MLK Jr. Parkway to downtown commercial staging lots and return to Forest Avenue once your events wrap up!
Event-Day Closures & Traffic
During the Drake Relays in late April and the Iowa High School State Track & Field Meet in May, large numbers of athletes and spectators pack the neighborhood around the Blue Oval. Expect full street closures along 27th Street from Carpenter Avenue to Forest Avenue, as well as temporary traffic restrictions on Forest Avenue and Clark Street. Because neighborhood street parking is restricted and heavily patrolled during Relays week, a private shuttle bus is the easiest way to drop your entire roster right at the gates without anyone hiking a mile with heavy gear. Pad your itinerary with an extra 30 to 45 minutes when traveling up 31st Street or MLK Jr. Parkway on meet mornings!
Principal Park (Home of the Iowa Cubs)
It just got easier to bring your Little League team, company outing, or birthday group to Principal Park to watch the Iowa Cubs play where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers meet! Rent a 20-passenger minibus or party bus for a summer afternoon at the ballpark, and let a driver handle all the downtown parking for you.
Major Roadways to Principal Park
Drivers approaching from I-235 can exit at 3rd Street / 2nd Avenue and head south through downtown to SW 2nd Street or SW 3rd Street. Groups coming from the south side or West Des Moines can take Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway straight east to the ballpark entrance at the confluence of the rivers.
Charter Bus Drop-Off & Pickup at Principal Park
Charter buses can pull directly up to the ballpark loop along Line Drive off SW 2nd Street or unload passengers curbside on SW 3rd Street just steps from the home plate and right field gates. This flat, open stadium plaza makes boarding a breeze for school field trips and senior groups who want minimal walking in the summer heat. When the ninth inning ends, gather your group outside the Cub Club entrance near the main ticket office before heading to your waiting bus. No waiting in long post-game rideshare lines on Court Avenue!
Charter Bus Parking & Waiting at Principal Park
Unlike cramped downtown garages, Principal Park features expansive surface lots immediately south and west of the stadium off SW 2nd Street and SW 3rd Street that easily accommodate full-size 56-passenger charter buses. Oversized vehicle parking is available right on site for a small event fee, so your driver can stay parked just yards from the gates throughout the entire game. If you are heading up to the Historic Court Avenue District for post-game dinner and drinks, your bus can loop four blocks north to pick you up whenever you are ready!
Event-Day Closures & Traffic
During Friday night fireworks games and Saturday Downtown Farmers' Market mornings, traffic slows considerably around Court Avenue, SW 2nd Street, and MLK Jr. Parkway. Arrive 60 minutes before first pitch to breeze through the stadium gates and grab your seats stress-free!
Waukee Stadium
Whether you need a single minibus for coaching staff or a fleet of charter buses for an entire visiting school district, our network has your suburban game-day travel covered.
Major Roadways to Waukee Stadium
Located in the western suburb of Waukee just 20 minutes from downtown Des Moines, Waukee Stadium is easily reached by taking I-80 West to Exit 118 (Grand Prairie Parkway) or Exit 121 (Jordan Creek Parkway). From Grand Prairie Parkway, head north to SE University Avenue and turn west toward the Waukee High School athletic complex. Groups traveling straight through West Des Moines can also take University Avenue or Hickman Road (US-6) connected via SE Waco Place and Warrior Lane. Because University Avenue is a major suburban commuter artery, plan ahead for afternoon rush hour slowdowns between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Friday game nights!
Charter Bus Drop-Off & Pickup at Waukee Stadium
Charter buses and visiting team motorcoaches should enter the complex off SE University Avenue or Warrior Lane and follow the designated athletic drive around the south side of Waukee High School and the Prairieview campus. Passengers can unload right at the south stadium plaza bus loop, which gives athletes, cheer squads, and band members direct, level access to the field house and ticket gates. If you are bringing bulky marching band instruments or sideline equipment, a 56-passenger charter bus provides cavernous storage bays that open right onto the loading zone. Have your group meet by the main south ticket plaza after the final whistle for a quick, organized departure!
Charter Bus Parking & Waiting at Waukee Stadium
Waukee Stadium offers generous surface parking across the high school and adjacent school lots along SE University Avenue and Warrior Lane. Visiting team buses and fan charters are directed by Waukee Community School District event staff to park in the designated bus lanes in the south and east surface lots away from parent passenger cars. Because there are no height-restricted garages on campus, your driver can remain parked on site for the entire game or invitational meet. If your team is stopping for a post-game meal near Jordan Creek Town Center on the way home, just include that stop when you fill out the 30-second quote form!
Event-Day Closures & Traffic
While Waukee does not close major public highways for high school games, traffic backs up along SE University Avenue and at the Warrior Lane intersections roughly 45 minutes before kickoff and immediately after the game ends. During large autumn marching band invitationals and state qualifying track meets, school staff convert internal campus drives into one-way bus loops. Arriving at least 60 to 90 minutes before start time ensures your bus pulls cleanly into the lot ahead of the spectator rush.
Quick Tips for Des Moines, Iowa Game-Day Charter Bus Groups
Bus