Most group transportation headaches in the Memphis area trace back to the same three problems: no parking, no direct drop, and nobody willing to be the sober one on the way home. Landers Center addresses the first two the moment you pull off I-55 at Exit 287 in Southaven. Three thousand free surface parking spaces spread across the campus, the arena sits less than a mile from the highway ramp, and there is no downtown garage crawl or cross-bridge backup waiting at the end of the night.
The coordination problem — getting 30 or 40 people from different corners of DeSoto County or Memphis to the same Monster Jam show or Blues Festival night, together, on time — that one still needs a bus.
A charter bus or party bus to Landers Center is, in most respects, a simpler operation than getting a group into any arena in Memphis proper. There are no loading-zone restrictions, no blocked streets, and no separate bus staging fees to sort out. The surface lot gives a bus natural space to wait during the show, and the I-55 corridor makes the return run predictable.
This guide covers the exact approach from downtown Memphis and from across DeSoto County, where a bus parks and what that costs (nothing), the events that create real Church Road congestion, and how to compare vehicle sizes and pricing through a large network of bus companies serving Memphis in under 30 seconds. Call 901-704-9220 or fill out the quick online form any time to get started.
Why Rent a Bus to Landers Center?
Landers Center's free surface parking changes the math compared to every arena in Memphis proper — but it does not eliminate the coordination problem. A Harlem Globetrotters show or a Blues Festival Saturday draws groups from Memphis to the north, Olive Branch to the east, Hernando to the south, and Horn Lake right next door. Pulling 30 people from four different zip codes to the same lot, then keeping them together for the ride home after the show, is a logistics exercise that costs somebody their night.
One bus collects the whole group on a single run, stages in the surface lot during the show, and handles the return trip the same way it handled arrival — together, on schedule, with the route already figured out.
There is also the Church Road exit. For a normal weeknight at Landers Center, I-55 Exit 287 is a clean 60-second transition from the highway to the lot. For a sold-out Monster Jam weekend or a Blues Festival Saturday, the exit backs up onto the southbound lanes and Venture Drive slows to a crawl as most of the 8,400-seat arena's crowd arrives in the same 45-minute window.
A charter bus rental to Landers Center does not change that traffic — but it means your group sits together in one vehicle instead of scattered across a dozen cars in the same backup, and the post-show pickup is arranged in advance instead of a rideshare scramble on Pepper Chase Drive after 10,000 people walk out at once. A Southaven party bus rental through Memphispartybuscompany.com covers everything from hotel pickup to return drop in a single quote.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off and Parking at Landers Center
Landers Center's 3,000-space surface lot is the operational highlight of this venue for group transportation. There is no charter bus staging fee, no credentialed-vehicle requirement, and no separate bus lot tucked a half-mile from the entrance. A bus pulls off I-55 at Exit 287 (Church Road), heads west on Church Road, and turns left onto Venture Drive to reach the lot — the full approach from the ramp to the front of the building is under one mile.
Groups entering from the east side of DeSoto County can also arrive via Pepper Chase Drive; both roads deliver the bus to the same surface lot surrounding the arena.
Landers Center does not publish a separate charter bus staging zone in its standard guest materials, so the practical answer for large-vehicle groups is to contact the events office at (662) 280-9120 before your event to confirm current guidance for your specific date. Based on the campus layout and the size of the lot, the approach is straightforward: the bus parks in the main surface lot and your group walks directly to the entrance. For guests who need wheelchair access or elevator assistance, the official Landers Center FAQ directs those guests to park on the West side and enter at the Nissan entrance for elevator access to the upper concourse; the box office at (662) 470-2131 can pre-arrange seating accommodations.
Parking at Landers Center is free. The surface lot charges nothing for any vehicle — including buses. There is no separate bus parking permit and no garage fee.
That is fundamentally different from every arena in downtown Memphis and it is a material benefit for group transportation planning at this venue.
One detail worth coordinating before your group walks in: Landers Center is a cashless venue at all concession and merchandise points. Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are accepted — but cash is not. The venue's FAQ lists the full policy.
Doors typically open 60 minutes before events, though this varies by promoter — check your specific event listing on the official Landers Center site to confirm door times. No re-entry is permitted once the group is inside, so anything staying with the bus during the show should be sorted before everyone heads to the gate.
Getting to Landers Center: The I-55 Run and DeSoto County Routes
The I-55 corridor is what makes Landers Center the most accessible major-venue run in the Memphis area for bus groups. From downtown Memphis, a charter bus heading to Landers Center takes I-55 South across the Tennessee-Mississippi state line and exits at Exit 287 (Church Road). Turn west on Church Road, then left on Venture Drive or Pepper Chase Drive, and the arena is right in front of you.
The approach is approximately 13 miles from the heart of Memphis and runs about 18 to 22 minutes without event traffic — straightforward enough that a bus picking up from downtown Memphis by 6:00 PM reaches the lot before 7:00 PM doors on a typical show night, with time to spare.
For groups assembling from DeSoto County itself, the drive is even shorter. Horn Lake sits immediately north of Southaven on I-55 and reaches the arena in under 10 minutes. Olive Branch, east of Southaven on MS-178, runs roughly 18 to 25 minutes depending on Goodman Road traffic.
Hernando, about 15 miles south on I-55, is a 20- to 25-minute run back north to Exit 287. Because DeSoto County groups can be spread across a wide suburban footprint, a minibus that does a single pickup loop before heading to Venture Drive keeps the group together and eliminates the parking-coordination problem entirely — which is the whole point.
| Origin | Approx. distance | Typical drive time (off-peak) | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Memphis, TN | ~13 miles | 18–22 minutes | I-55 South to Exit 287 (Church Rd), left on Venture Dr |
| Memphis International Airport (MEM) | ~18 miles | 22–28 minutes | I-55 South to Exit 287 |
| Horn Lake, MS | ~5 miles | 8–12 minutes | I-55 South to Exit 287 |
| Olive Branch, MS | ~14 miles | 18–25 minutes | MS-178 West to I-55 South, then Exit 287 |
| Hernando, MS | ~15 miles | 20–25 minutes | I-55 North to Exit 287 |
| Bartlett, TN | ~28 miles | 30–38 minutes | I-240 West to I-55 South to Exit 287 |
Build in an extra 15 to 20 minutes on peak event nights. The Church Road exit backs up onto the southbound I-55 main lanes when Monster Jam and the Blues Festival are in session — those are the two dates where arriving at the exit 30 minutes before doors rather than 15 makes a real difference. For most Memphis Hustle games and weeknight concerts, the approach times in the table above are accurate.
Landers Center Events and When to Book Your Bus Early
Landers Center hosts a wide range of events through the year, and the ones that push the arena toward its 8,400-seat capacity are the dates when a bus matters most. Here is what group planners should know about the annual calendar at Southaven's arena.
Memphis Hustle (NBA G League). The Hustle — the Memphis Grizzlies' G League affiliate — plays 17 home games each season at Landers Center, running November through March. Tickets start as low as $15, making it one of the most affordable live basketball experiences in the metro.
The Hustle's themed promotional nights and education day games consistently fill the lower bowl, and the short I-55 run from Memphis makes it an easy weeknight group outing. Group packages are available through the Landers Center's Memphis Hustle page; the 2026-27 season tips off around November 2026.
Monster Jam. The arena tour brings 12,000-pound trucks back to Landers Center each spring, with multiple sessions across a three-day weekend. Saturday and Sunday matinees in particular see the lot fill 90 minutes before showtime.
Groups with young families especially benefit from a bus on Monster Jam weekend: the return trip after a Sunday afternoon session falls directly into the Sunday evening I-55 northbound backup toward Memphis, and having everyone on one vehicle simplifies the post-show pickup when kids are tired and the exit is backed up to Church Road.
Harlem Globetrotters. The Globetrotters' annual winter tour makes Landers Center a regular January stop. The 100 Year Tour brought the team to Southaven in January 2026 and drew a mix of family groups and corporate outings.
Expect a family-heavy crowd and a nearly full surface lot for both afternoon and evening shows.
23rd Annual Memphis Tri-State Blues Festival. October 17, 2026 — doors 5:30 PM, show at 6:30 PM. This is the marquee music event of Landers Center's fall calendar.
The 2026 lineup includes Tucka, King George, Cecily Wilborn, Glenn Jones, Mike Clark Jr., West Love, and EJ Jones, with Henry Welch hosting. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster; the official event page at Landers Center has the current details. Blues Festival Saturday is the one night each year when Church Road traffic genuinely warrants building 45 minutes into your group's departure window rather than the usual 30.
"Weird Al" Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour. September 26, 2026 at 8:00 PM. A concert-scale event with a loyal audience that travels from across the mid-South region.
Mid-South Fair. The annual fair has called Landers Center home since 2009, bringing multi-day attendance across the full campus. Multi-day fair visits are well-suited to a round-trip minibus that runs pickup and drop-off loops over the course of the weekend.
Landers Center is also adding a 100,000-square-foot convention space to the property in 2026, expanding the venue's capacity for large corporate and association groups.
Mid-South Pro Hockey. A new Federal Prospects Hockey League expansion team will call Landers Center home beginning with the 2026-27 season — adding a full home schedule of hockey dates to the arena's winter and spring calendar.
Monster Jam weekends and Blues Festival Saturday are the two dates where booking a Landers Center bus early matters. For the Blues Festival on October 17, 2026, demand for mid-size party buses in the Memphis market picks up significantly in the six to eight weeks before the event. Call 901-704-9220 or request estimates online as soon as your group count is confirmed.
Landers Center Transportation: Every Option Compared
Landers Center's free surface parking is real, and it changes the calculation compared to any arena in downtown Memphis. Here is an honest look at the options for a group.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Parking cost | Post-show pickup | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Free — bus stages in the surface lot | Pre-arranged, bus waits nearby | 15–56 |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way; post-show surge on busy event nights | No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs | Drop-off on Venture Drive or Pepper Chase Drive; no staging | Surge pricing and wait times after sell-out shows | 1–4 per car |
| Everyone drives | Gas per car; no parking cost | No — caravans split up | Free — 3,000 surface spaces | Everyone finds their own car in the dark | Small groups, 1–2 cars |
For two or three people, driving to Landers Center and parking free is straightforward — the lot is generous and the exit from I-55 is simple. The moment your group grows to four or more cars' worth of people, the coordination cost of separate vehicles tips toward one bus. Different departure times, someone sober in every car, and a post-show group chat trying to reconnect in a dark surface lot — that is the version of the night you are paying to avoid.
One bus means one pickup, one arrival, and one return, with the surface lot giving it plenty of room to stage during the show at no extra cost. The Memphis sporting event transportation page covers the broader range of group options for Hustle games and regional events.
What Size Bus Does Your Landers Center Group Need?
Memphispartybuscompany.com connects group planners to a wide range of vehicle types through a large network of bus companies serving Memphis and DeSoto County. The right pick depends on headcount, how far the group is traveling, and what the event calls for. Here is how the full vehicle lineup breaks down for a Landers Center run.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van | Up to 14 | Small VIP groups, corporate outings, suite holders | Premium leather, USB charging at every seat, tinted privacy windows |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Fan groups, birthday parties, celebration nights at Landers Center | LED lighting, flat-panel TVs, premium sound system with Bluetooth, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Mid-size groups, corporate shuttles, family outings, DeSoto County pickups | Reclining seats, overhead storage, powerful A/C |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large fan groups, school groups, convention shuttles, multi-day fair runs | Deep undercarriage bays, reclining seats, onboard restroom, climate control, WiFi, power outlets |
For a Memphis Hustle game with a group of 20 to 30, a 25-passenger party bus or a 30-passenger party bus is a natural fit — right-sized for the group, easy to stage in the surface lot, and no bigger than the group actually needs. For Monster Jam outings hauling gear for young kids, a minibus handles the overhead storage and the comfortable return trip without the oversized footprint. For large fan groups, Blues Festival crowds, or corporate convention shuttles using Landers Center's expanded facility space, a full-size charter bus with deep undercarriage bays and an onboard restroom handles the longer runs and the volume.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note it when requesting a quote and confirm at least 48 hours before your event date.
Landers Center Party Bus and Charter Bus Rental Prices
Memphispartybuscompany.com shows you pricing from a large network of bus companies in under 30 seconds — no account needed, no obligation. The actual quote depends on your headcount, your pickup location, how many hours the vehicle is with your group (including wait time during the show), and the event date. To give you a planning idea of what a Landers Center bus rental runs:
| Vehicle | Weekday hourly range | Weekend hourly range | Per-day range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | $200–$325/hr | $225–$350/hr | $1,550–$3,150 |
| 15-passenger party bus | $200–$350/hr | $250–$350/hr | $1,400–$2,850 |
| 20-passenger party bus | $250–$350/hr | $275–$350/hr | $1,950–$2,800 |
| 25-passenger party bus | $250–$350/hr | $275–$375/hr | $1,850–$2,900 |
| 30-passenger party bus | $300–$375/hr | $325–$425/hr | $2,350–$3,050 |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | $200–$250/hr | $200–$275/hr | $1,100–$2,150 |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | $200–$350/hr | $200–$350/hr | $1,350–$2,850 |
These are planning ranges, not quotes — exact pricing for your date, your pickup location, and your vehicle comes from the quick form or a call to 901-704-9220. A typical Landers Center run from downtown Memphis involves roughly 3 to 5 hours of total vehicle time: 45 minutes each way, plus the show. At 30 passengers on a weekend 30-passenger party bus, a 4-hour rental at the mid-range splits to around $43–$57 per person — often comparable to what a round-trip rideshare costs per person on a busy event night, without the surge pricing or the coordination problem.
Check the Memphis party bus prices page for the complete breakdown, or call 901-704-9220 for pricing specific to your date and group size.
One practical note on per-person math: a 56-seat charter bus at $250/hour replaces roughly 14 cars. That is 14 separate gas charges, 14 parking decisions (all free, but still 14 separate ones), and at minimum 14 people who cannot enjoy the night because they have to stay sober. One flat rate, split across the group, changes that math decisively once you are past a few cars' worth of people.
Visitor Policies Every Landers Center Group Should Know
A few things worth reviewing before your group arrives, pulled from the official Landers Center FAQ:
- Cashless venue. No cash is accepted anywhere inside — not at concessions, not at merchandise. Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay all work. Make sure everyone in your group knows before they walk in.
- Clear bag policy. One clear plastic bag up to 12″ × 6″ × 12″ (or a one-gallon freezer bag), plus a small clutch no larger than 4½″ × 6½″. Backpacks, coolers, and large purses are not permitted. The venue recommends arriving without a bag for the fastest entry lane.
- Doors open 60 minutes before events. This varies by promoter — check the specific event listing on the official Landers Center site before your trip. Arriving at doors-open keeps the group together before the house fills.
- No re-entry. Once the group is inside, returning to the lot is not permitted. Coordinate with the bus on any gear or belongings staying in the vehicle during the show before everyone heads to the gate.
- Accessibility. Guests needing elevator access should park on the West side and enter at the Nissan entrance. Contact the box office at (662) 470-2131 for seating and accessibility pre-arrangements.
- WiFi. Connect to LandersGuest once inside the arena.
- Photography. Still cameras without flash are generally allowed; most concerts and family shows restrict recording devices. Check your specific event policy.
- Children under 2. Typically admitted free when seated on a lap. Ages 2 and up require a ticket regardless of whether they use a seat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Landers Center
Where does a charter bus or party bus park at Landers Center?
Landers Center's 3,000-space free surface lot surrounds the arena, and large vehicles park in the main lot. There is no published charter bus staging fee and no separate bus lot. The approach from I-55 is Exit 287 (Church Road) westbound, then left on Venture Drive or Pepper Chase Drive into the main lot.
For large groups or multi-vehicle runs, contact the venue at (662) 280-9120 before your event to confirm any event-specific guidance.
How long does the drive from Memphis to Landers Center take by bus?
From downtown Memphis, approximately 18 to 22 minutes off-peak via I-55 South to Exit 287. On event nights — particularly Monster Jam and Blues Festival Saturdays — the Church Road exit backs up onto I-55 and adds 15 to 25 minutes. Building in a 30- to 45-minute departure buffer before doors puts your group in the lot at the right time without rushing.
How much does it cost to rent a party bus or charter bus to Landers Center?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours (including wait time during the show), pickup location, and event date. Planning ranges: minibuses run $200–$275/hour on weekends; mid-size party buses run $275–$425/hour; and a full-size charter bus runs $200–$350/hour. A 3- to 5-hour total-time Landers Center run typically splits to $30–$60 per person at most group sizes — fill out the quick form or call 901-704-9220 to get exact pricing for your date in under 30 seconds.
Is parking at Landers Center really free?
Yes. The surface lot charges nothing for any vehicle — cars, buses, oversized vehicles. There is no bus staging permit required.
This is confirmed across the venue's own guest materials and multiple event listings for Landers Center. It is materially different from parking at any arena in downtown Memphis, and it is one of the primary reasons group transportation to Landers Center is simpler to coordinate than a downtown run.
What is the clear bag policy at Landers Center?
One clear bag up to 12″ × 6″ × 12″ or a one-gallon freezer bag, plus a small clutch no larger than 4½″ × 6½″. Backpacks and large purses are not permitted. The venue recommends arriving without any bag for the fastest lane.
Review the official FAQ for any policy updates before your event date.
What events at Landers Center draw the biggest crowds?
Monster Jam (annual spring weekend), the Memphis Tri-State Blues Festival (October), and Harlem Globetrotters shows (annual winter stop) are the events where the arena approaches or reaches its 8,400-seat basketball capacity. Memphis Hustle games run November through March and consistently fill the lower bowl on promotional nights. The Blues Festival on October 17, 2026, and any Monster Jam weekend are the two dates where booking a bus early is worth the extra lead time.
Can a bus pick up from Memphis International Airport for a Landers Center event?
Yes. Memphis International Airport (MEM) is about 18 miles from Landers Center via I-55 South, running around 25 minutes off-peak. A charter bus can collect your group at the terminal, run through Memphis for additional pickups, and arrive at Landers Center in time for doors.
See the Memphis airport group shuttle guide for airport pickup details, then call 901-704-9220 to arrange the Landers Center leg of the trip.
Are ADA-accessible buses available for Landers Center trips?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network. Note it when you request a quote and confirm at least 48 hours before your event date. At the venue, guests needing elevator access should park on the West side and enter at the Nissan entrance; contact the box office for seating pre-arrangements.
How far in advance should I book a bus to Landers Center?
For most Memphis Hustle games and weeknight concerts, two to four weeks of lead time is workable. For Monster Jam weekends (typically April) and the Blues Festival (October 17, 2026), book six to eight weeks out — demand for mid-size party buses in the Memphis market climbs around both events. The earlier the call, the better the vehicle selection and pricing.
Call 901-704-9220 now to lock in your date.
Is the Landers Center in Memphis or Mississippi?
Landers Center is in Southaven, Mississippi — just across the state line from Tennessee. The arena is 13 miles from downtown Memphis via I-55 South, well within the Memphis metro's commute range, and it draws groups from both sides of the state line. For DeSoto County groups, Landers Center is the home arena.
For Memphis groups, it is a 20-minute highway run with free parking on the other end.
Request Estimates for Your Landers Center Charter Bus or Party Bus Rental
Landers Center is one of the cleanest arena runs in the Memphis area — free parking, a direct I-55 approach, and no downtown logistics to navigate on either end. Getting your whole group there together is a one-call operation. Memphispartybuscompany.com makes it easy to compare party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and Sprinter vans from a large network of bus companies serving Memphis and DeSoto County — fill out the quick online form or call 901-704-9220 any time to get pricing in under 30 seconds. No account needed, no obligation, and a support team is available every day of the year to help put together the right package for your group size, pickup location, and event date.
For Memphis-area concerts at other venues on the same trip, Memphispartybuscompany.com covers the full region. Planning a stop at FedExForum on the same visit? The FedExForum bus guide covers that venue's downtown drop-off and parking setup separately.
Call 901-704-9220 now — pricing for your Landers Center run takes about a minute.
