Opening night at CarMax Park on April 7, 2026, was the first time Richmond's minor league baseball team played in a new home in four decades — and the Arthur Ashe Boulevard corridor made sure nobody forgot it. The Exit 78 ramp off I-95 backed up. Several traffic signals along the approach were still covered or in installation phase as part of the ongoing Diamond District buildout.
And fans who arrived expecting a quick drop-off at the gate discovered the rideshare zone is in the Red Lot near the Arthur Ashe Center — a full parking lot's length away from CarMax Park's main concourse entrance, with a walk past the old Diamond to get there. Add $10 card-only parking at every lot — no cash accepted, zero exceptions — and you have a game-night setup that rewards groups who arrive with a plan.
Find a bus to CarMax Park through Partybusrichmond.com and none of that lands on your group. Partybusrichmond.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Richmond — charter buses, party buses, and minibuses ready for any group size — so everyone rides together, drops near the Red Lot on Arthur Ashe Boulevard, and has a vehicle staged when the Flying Squirrels play their final out. Fill out the online quote form or call 757-975-8487 any time, any day — free, no account needed, takes about a minute.
Why Rent a Bus to CarMax Park?
Five cars to CarMax Park means five $10 card-only parking charges across five different lot entrances, five separate regrouping conversations after the game when the lot is full of pedestrians, and at least one car sitting in the Arthur Ashe Boulevard backup while everyone else is already finding seats. That's before anyone accounts for the lot walk — the path from the Red Lot rideshare zone through the parking area, past The Diamond, and into CarMax Park's concourse entrance is longer than the venue's North Arthur Ashe address suggests to anyone who has never been.
One Richmond party bus or charter bus rental eliminates all of it. Your group loads at one pickup point — downtown hotel, office park in the West End, a neighborhood in the Museum District — rides together, drops at the curb near Arthur Ashe Boulevard, and walks into CarMax Park as a group. Post-game pickup is already arranged, the lot exit chaos is on the bus and not on you, and nobody in your group is hunting for a spot in five different rideshare queues.
That's the value of a bus to CarMax Park in one sentence. Call 757-975-8487 or use the online tool to check pricing for your specific date at no obligation.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at CarMax Park
CarMax Park's designated rideshare and commercial vehicle drop-off zone is the Red Lot, with its entrance off Arthur Ashe Boulevard adjacent to the Arthur Ashe Center, per the Flying Squirrels' official parking page. That is the closest publicly designated commercial vehicle area to the ballpark's main concourse entrance as of the 2026 season. CarMax Park does not publish a separate dedicated charter bus gate — for the exact commercial vehicle approach for your specific game date and vehicle size, a support team is available at 757-975-8487 before your event to sort the logistics.
Here is the first-timer fact that matters: the Red Lot sits adjacent to the Arthur Ashe Center, not directly at CarMax Park's front door. Visitors who used rideshare during the early 2026 season reported walking across the full length of the lot — past The Diamond — to reach CarMax Park's concourse entrance on the other side. The walk is manageable, but it should be in your group's pre-game timing.
Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch; arriving at that window gives you the lot traverse without anyone rushing. A support team can also help identify the fastest approach to the entrance based on your group's arrival point and the night's lot layout.
Red Lot on Arthur Ashe Boulevard is the designated commercial drop zone at CarMax Park. Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch — plan the lot walk into your arrival time, especially on fireworks nights when the concourse fills early.
The full parking system at CarMax Park wraps the venue from three access roads. The Red Lot (general parking, rideshare/commercial zone) and Yellow Lot (general parking) both enter from Arthur Ashe Boulevard — the Red Lot adjacent to the Arthur Ashe Center, the Yellow between CarMax Park and the old Diamond. The Black & Gold Lot — ADA-designated parking only — also enters from Arthur Ashe Boulevard between the two stadiums.
On the opposite side of the complex, the Green Lot enters from both Hermitage Road and Robin Hood Road, and the Pink Lot enters from Hermitage Road. All lots are $10 per car, credit or debit card only — no cash accepted at any lot. One bus, one approach, no card-reader scramble.
Review the official CarMax Park parking page before your visit to confirm current lot access and any event-specific changes.
Getting to CarMax Park: Routes, Traffic & Timing
CarMax Park sits two blocks south of I-95 Exit 78 — the Boulevard/Route 161 exit — and that short approach is where game-night Richmond compresses. The stretch of Arthur Ashe Boulevard between the I-95 ramp and the Red Lot entrance runs slow when the Flying Squirrels are home. Congestion at that intersection averages around 18 crashes per year at peak periods, and the ramp itself underwent construction to widen from one to two lanes — an improvement that was still not fully delivering on heavy game nights as of the 2026 season opener.
New traffic signals in the area were also being phased in through Fall 2026 as part of the Diamond District buildout, with parking staff managing some intersections manually during that transition.
I-64 and I-95 merge north of downtown; groups coming from the east (Hampton Roads) and from the north (Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg) all funnel through the same Exit 78 corridor. Off-peak drive times from common starting points — before any event traffic adds its share:
| From… | Approx. distance | Off-peak drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Richmond (Shockoe Bottom / Main Street) | ~3 miles | 8–12 minutes |
| Carytown / Museum District | ~2 miles | 7–10 minutes |
| Scott's Addition | ~1 mile | 4–7 minutes |
| Short Pump / West End (via I-64) | ~14 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Richmond International Airport (RIC) | ~11 miles | 18–25 minutes |
| Fredericksburg (via I-95) | ~60 miles | 55–75 minutes |
| Hampton Roads (via I-64) | ~95 miles | 85–105 minutes |
On fireworks nights and weekends, those downtown and Carytown times can double in the final 45 minutes before first pitch. Groups coming from the West End and Short Pump find the Hermitage Road approach to the Green or Pink lots faster than the Arthur Ashe Boulevard corridor on busy nights. The upside of one bus over five cars: the approach route is the bus's problem, not yours.
Pulse BRT and GRTC. Richmond's Bus Rapid Transit line — the Pulse — runs east-west on Broad Street. Fans can exit at either the Science Museum or Scott's Addition Pulse stations and connect with the Route 20 Orbital Northbound toward CarMax Park, or walk approximately one mile north from either station.
For an individual or a couple, that's a perfectly workable option. For a group of 20, 30, or 40 people coordinating a connecting bus transfer and a post-game ride home all at the same time on a Saturday night, it adds a layer of complexity that a private Richmond charter bus or party bus rental removes entirely. See the Flying Squirrels' official directions page for current Pulse routing before your visit.
CarMax Park Transportation: Every Option Compared
This is a bus-comparison site, and the honest version of this comparison includes every option a group actually considers. Here is what the choices look like for a group of 15 to 40 people heading to a Flying Squirrels game:
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Parking / drop-off | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One rate split across the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Red Lot commercial zone, steps from lot entrance | 15–56 |
| Private minibus | One rate split across the group | Yes — easier to maneuver Arthur Ashe corridor | Red Lot, same commercial drop approach | 15–35 |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, staggered arrivals | Red Lot designated zone; post-game surge common | 1–4 per car |
| Driving & parking | $10/car, card only — per vehicle | No — individual cars split up | Multiple lot entrances; card-only, no day-of flexibility | 1–2 cars max efficient |
| Pulse BRT + Route 20 | Per ticket; free transfers on GRTC | Only if booked on same run | ~1 mile walk from Science Museum or Scott's Addition station | Individuals / small groups |
For one or two people coming from Scott's Addition, the Pulse is a smart call — no reason to charter a bus for two people who live a mile away. The moment your party grows past four or five cars' worth of people, the coordination cost of separate vehicles — different arrival windows, five separate card-reader parking lanes, post-game regrouping across a crowded lot — tips toward one bus. A 15–35 passenger minibus is especially well-suited to CarMax Park because it navigates the Arthur Ashe Boulevard corridor and the tighter Diamond District lot entries more smoothly than a 45-foot full-size coach.
What Size Richmond Charter Bus or Party Bus Does Your Group Need?
CarMax Park draws groups from across a wide range — a company outing of 18, a college alumni night of 35, a birthday group of 22, a school trip of 50. The right vehicle for each of those is different, and Partybusrichmond.com connects you to options across the full range. Here is how the vehicle lineup lines up for a CarMax Park run:
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Best for at CarMax Park | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Company outings, school groups, mid-size fan groups, wedding rehearsal groups; easier fit on the Arthur Ashe lot approach | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, overhead storage |
| 25-passenger party bus | ~25 | Birthday groups, friend group outings, company game nights with a celebratory atmosphere on board | LED lighting, premium sound, flat-panel TVs, onboard bar area |
| 40-passenger party bus | ~40 | Larger fan groups, corporate team-building outings, group celebrations with a pre-game vibe on the ride over | Full bar, color-changing LED, Bluetooth sound, wraparound perimeter seating |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | School field trips, large corporate groups, fan groups traveling from Hampton Roads or Fredericksburg on longer runs | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead bins, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage bays |
For groups in the 15–35 range making a short downtown-to-ballpark run, a minibus is often the most cost-effective and most maneuverable fit — it navigates the Arthur Ashe Boulevard lot entrance more smoothly than a 45-foot coach and costs less per hour at smaller headcounts. For groups traveling from Hampton Roads or from Northern Virginia with overnight bags, a full-size charter bus with deep undercarriage bays and an onboard restroom makes the distance comfortable and keeps the group from needing a rest stop on I-95. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note your needs when you request the quote.
CarMax Park Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices
Pricing for a Richmond party bus or charter bus to CarMax Park depends on vehicle size, total hours, the game date, and where the pickup starts. To give you a planning idea: a minibus runs roughly $200–$250 per hour on weekdays and $200–$275 per hour on weekends. A 56-passenger charter bus runs $200–$350 per hour on both weekday and weekend dates.
A 25-passenger party bus starts around $250–$350 per hour weekdays and $275–$375 per hour on weekends. Real pricing moves with availability, demand, and your exact itinerary — these ranges are to help you plan, not a guarantee. Check the Richmond party bus prices page for a fuller breakdown.
Once you split one vehicle across the full group, the per-person number changes the conversation. To give you an idea: a 24-person company outing books a 25-passenger party bus for a Saturday night Flying Squirrels game. Pickup at 5:30 PM from Carytown, Red Lot drop by 6:15 PM, post-game pickup around 10:00 PM.
A 4.5-hour weekend rental at those rates might run roughly $1,400–$1,500 total — about $60 per person, with five cars' worth of $10 card-only parking passes, the lot entrance backup, and the post-game regrouping all folded into one number. Call 757-975-8487 any time for a free quote on your specific date and group size — no obligation, and you could have pricing in about a minute.
For groups traveling from Hampton Roads, Fredericksburg, or Northern Virginia — places where the round-trip drive is a real commitment — the per-person math on a charter bus often beats a caravan of cars even before you account for I-95 tolls and the parking fee. A 56-seat coach carrying 50 fans from the Peninsula splits to roughly the cost of two parking passes apiece each way. The Richmond sporting event transportation page has more on group game-day trips across the region.
What's Happening at CarMax Park in 2026
CarMax Park's inaugural season runs April through September 2026, and the 2026 promotional calendar was built for a new ballpark's debut year — 13 fireworks shows, themed nights, celebrity appearances, and a Fourth of July event the Flying Squirrels are billing as Richmond's biggest. These are the dates that fill the Arthur Ashe Boulevard corridor and every Diamond District lot long before the gates open at the 90-minute mark.
Fireworks nights — 13 total, on select Thursdays and Saturdays, presented by Chick-fil-A — draw the largest crowds of the regular season and the most post-game lot congestion. The biggest single event on the 2026 calendar is the Star-Spangled Squirrels Fest on July 4: a standalone festival featuring the No BS! Brass Band, Grateful Shred (a nationally touring Grateful Dead tribute act), and what the team is calling the largest fireworks show in Richmond, beginning at 9:00 PM.
That event is not a baseball game — it's a concert festival using the full ballpark. Arthur Ashe Boulevard will be at its highest-demand night of the year, and every lot fills before the music starts. Groups without a confirmed vehicle and a post-fireworks pickup window already set will be competing with thousands of fans for rideshares and the Exit 78 on-ramp at once.
A single party bus or charter bus with a staged post-fireworks pickup is the cleanest answer to that night.
Other 2026 highlights worth planning around: the Brandon Crawford appearance on April 25 drew sellout-level interest — Crawford is a former Flying Squirrel who went on to win three World Series rings with San Francisco, and the first 2,500 fans received an exclusive player pin. Dog Days Wednesdays run through the summer with free dog admission and breed-specific programming, drawing family groups who arrive early and tend to exit on a slower post-game pace. Harry Potter Night on August 30 pairs a specialty jersey auction with fireworks.
And on September 26, CarMax Park hosts RVA Wing Wars — a non-baseball culinary competition where Richmond's restaurants compete for wing supremacy, bringing a crowd that approaches the venue from Hermitage Road rather than the standard Arthur Ashe Boulevard game-night flow.
For the Star-Spangled Squirrels Fest on July 4 especially, locking in a bus well before the date is the move — demand for vehicles on that night runs well ahead of a typical Friday home game. Call 757-975-8487 to get your date secured while availability is open.
Tips for Visiting CarMax Park
No cash at any lot. All five CarMax Park parking areas — Red, Yellow, Black & Gold, Green, and Pink — charge $10 per car by credit or debit card only. There is no cash option at any entrance.
Groups planning to split parking money in the carpool should sort the cards before pulling into the lot lane.
Build the lot walk into your timeline. The Red Lot rideshare and commercial zone is adjacent to the Arthur Ashe Center, not at CarMax Park's concourse entry. Visitors in early 2026 reported walking the full lot length — past The Diamond — to reach the new ballpark.
Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch; arriving at that window is enough buffer for the walk. On nights with large crowds, the entry path can back up at the lot entrance before it backs up at the gate.
Know the bag policy. Per the Flying Squirrels' rules, bags larger than 7″ × 5″ must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC material. Diaper bags and medical bags are exempt from the clear-bag requirement but are subject to search at entry.
Review the official CarMax Park bag policy so the whole group knows what to carry in.
Traffic signals are still being phased in. Several signals along Arthur Ashe Boulevard near the ballpark were covered or in final installation as of the 2026 season opener, with completion of the broader Diamond District infrastructure targeted for Fall 2026. Parking staff manage some intersections manually on heavy game nights.
Build in buffer — 15 to 20 extra minutes — on fireworks nights and weekend games, particularly during the Arthur Ashe Boulevard approach from Exit 78.
Green and Pink Lots on Hermitage Road are the underused alternative. On busy game nights, the Arthur Ashe Boulevard approach backs up from the I-95 ramp to the lot entrance. Groups originating from the north or west of the ballpark often find the Green Lot (Hermitage Road and Robin Hood Road) or Pink Lot (Hermitage Road) a faster approach — and those lots sit closer to CarMax Park's Green Street side than the Red Lot does to the main concourse entrance.
CarMax Park is designed for access. The new ballpark features a 360-degree wraparound concourse with the playing field sunken below street level, and the main entry requires only five steps — versus 30 at the old Diamond. ADA ramps are available throughout, and the Black & Gold Lot on Arthur Ashe Boulevard is designated ADA parking.
Note accessibility needs when requesting a bus quote so the right vehicle and approach can be arranged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly does a charter bus or party bus drop off at CarMax Park?
The Red Lot — entered from Arthur Ashe Boulevard adjacent to the Arthur Ashe Center — is CarMax Park's designated rideshare and commercial vehicle drop-off zone, per the Flying Squirrels' official parking page. CarMax Park does not publish a separate dedicated commercial vehicle gate as of the 2026 season. For your specific game date and vehicle type, a support team at 757-975-8487 can confirm the current commercial approach and best drop point before your event.
How much does parking cost at CarMax Park?
Parking is $10 per car at all lots — credit or debit card only, no cash accepted. Lots are accessed from Arthur Ashe Boulevard (Red, Yellow, and Black & Gold), Hermitage Road (Green and Pink), and Robin Hood Road (Green). ADA parking is in the Black & Gold Lot on Arthur Ashe Boulevard between CarMax Park and the old Diamond.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to CarMax Park?
To give you a planning range: a minibus (15–35 passengers) runs roughly $200–$275 per hour depending on the day. A charter bus (40–56 passengers) runs $200–$350 per hour. A 25-passenger party bus starts around $250–$375 per hour.
Real pricing moves with vehicle size, total hours, the game date, and your pickup location. Fill out the online form or call 757-975-8487 for a quote specific to your trip — free, takes about a minute.
What is the best route to CarMax Park?
From I-95 north or south: Exit 78 (Boulevard/Route 161 Exit), then two blocks south on Arthur Ashe Boulevard. From I-64 east or west: merge onto I-95 and use Exit 78. The Arthur Ashe Boulevard stretch from Exit 78 to the Red Lot entrance backs up on game nights, especially on fireworks Thursdays and Saturdays.
Groups coming from the north or west of the ballpark may find the Hermitage Road approach to the Green or Pink Lots faster.
Is there public transit to CarMax Park?
Yes. Richmond's Pulse BRT runs along Broad Street — exit at the Science Museum or Scott's Addition stations and connect with the Route 20 Orbital Northbound toward CarMax Park, or walk approximately one mile north. The Flying Squirrels' directions page has current GRTC routing details.
For a group of more than a handful of people, coordinating a two-leg transit connection plus a post-game return is a logistics problem a private minibus or party bus rental removes entirely.
How far in advance should I book a bus for a Flying Squirrels game?
For a standard weeknight home game, two to four weeks of lead time is workable. For fireworks nights, the July 4 Star-Spangled Squirrels Fest, Harry Potter Night (August 30), and any Saturday home game in June or July, book as early as your group's date is confirmed. CarMax Park's inaugural 2026 season generated strong demand for these high-profile nights — the right vehicles go first.
Call 757-975-8487 to get your date locked in.
Can I book a bus from Richmond International Airport directly to CarMax Park?
Yes. RIC to CarMax Park is about 11 miles — typically 18 to 25 minutes off-peak, via I-64 west to I-95 north to Exit 78. It's a clean one-leg run for fan groups flying in for a weekend series or a group arriving for the July 4 event.
The Richmond airport transportation page covers the full airport pickup approach, or call 757-975-8487 to set up an airport-to-ballpark run for your group.
What is CarMax Park's address and contact number?
CarMax Park is located at 2929 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220. The Richmond Flying Squirrels' main line is (804) 359-3866. The official CarMax Park about page has current venue information.
Are ADA-accessible buses available for a CarMax Park trip?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network. Note your accessibility needs when requesting your quote so the correct vehicle is arranged. At CarMax Park, ADA parking is in the Black & Gold Lot on Arthur Ashe Boulevard between CarMax Park and The Diamond.
The ballpark itself was designed with significantly better accessibility than the old Diamond — five steps at the main entry versus 30, with ADA ramps throughout the 360-degree concourse.
What types of groups most often rent a bus to CarMax Park?
Company and corporate outings are the most common — Flying Squirrels group packages are a go-to team outing in Richmond, and the ballpark's affordable ticket pricing (individual tickets start at $10, with nearly 90% priced at $24 or under) keeps the group budget manageable. Birthday parties, VCU alumni nights, school field trips, and friend-group reunions round out the regular mix. The July 4 Star-Spangled Squirrels Fest draws charter bus groups from across Central Virginia who want a round-trip shuttle with no July 4 weekend parking scramble on the busiest night at CarMax Park all year.
Book Your CarMax Park Bus Today
CarMax Park is brand new, it's Richmond's biggest new entertainment anchor in a generation, and the Flying Squirrels packed its first season with 13 fireworks shows, the city's largest July 4 event, and a promotional calendar built to sell out the new house. Getting your group there — across the Arthur Ashe Boulevard corridor, past the card-only parking lanes, through the lot to the concourse entrance — is a solved problem with one bus, one pickup, and a post-game staged vehicle already waiting. Partybusrichmond.com connects you to the full range of party buses, charter buses, and minibuses from a large network of bus companies serving Richmond, with a free quote online or by phone at 757-975-8487 any time, no account needed.
Also taking your group to the Siegel Center for a VCU Rams game, or out to the Allianz Amphitheater for a summer concert? Both guides cover their own drop-offs — see the Siegel Center transportation guide and the Allianz Amphitheater bus guide. For everything at CarMax Park, call 757-975-8487 now — free quote, no obligation, pricing in about a minute.
