Every group from Midland that drives to El Paso for a UTEP game discovers the same thing a week too late: Sun Bowl Stadium sells no parking passes on game day. Not a single one. Show up at 2701 Sun Bowl Drive on December 31st expecting to buy a spot for the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, and the answer from the lot attendant is the same answer it's been for years — go find something else.
That rule applies to cars, to oversized vehicles, and to every member of your 30-person group who assumed you could figure it out on arrival. One charter bus or party bus out of Midland dissolves the whole problem: one pre-arranged vehicle, one campus drop-off, and the 306-mile run down I-20 W to I-10 W becomes the tailgate instead of the stressful part.
Midlandpartybuscompany.com makes finding group transportation for a Sun Bowl Stadium trip fast — fill out one quick form or call 432-247-0930 to compare vehicles and pricing from a large network of bus companies in seconds, no account needed. Below is the complete game-day playbook: where the bus drops off, where oversized vehicles actually park on campus, how the I-10 approach works on game days, what everything costs split across your group, and why December 31st crowds make the Sun Bowl the single most important Midland road trip to book early every year.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Sun Bowl Stadium?
Three hundred and six miles on I-20 W and I-10 W is a real driving day — roughly four and a half hours each way, with a full game day sandwiched in the middle. For a caravan of four cars out of the Permian Basin, that means four tanks of gas, four pre-purchased parking passes that had to be arranged weeks in advance, and at least four people who can't have a single drink because they're driving home after midnight on December 31st. One charter bus handles all of that in one number, split across every person on board.
Beyond the math, El Paso's campus approach changes the equation further. I-10 Exit 18A — the Schuster/Sun Bowl exit — backs up hard in the 90 minutes before any sold-out game, and on New Year's Eve it can start backing up miles east of the exit as 46,000 fans converge on the same campus from the same highway. A bus doesn't change the traffic, but it does change who's dealing with it: your group is watching the game build on the way in instead of gripping the steering wheel through the Schuster roundabout.
And if December 31st runs late into the El Paso night — which it usually does — an El Paso party bus can cover whatever the evening becomes after the final whistle, all the way back to whatever hotel your group booked weeks ago when you were smart enough to lock everything in early.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Sun Bowl Stadium
Sun Bowl Stadium sits at 2701 Sun Bowl Drive on the UTEP campus, and the game-day approach for a charter bus is more predictable than most large venues once you know the entry sequence. The standard route from I-10 is Exit 18A — the Schuster/Sun Bowl Drive exit — which puts you directly onto Sun Bowl Drive heading into campus. Proceed through the first roundabout straight ahead, then at the second roundabout take a right onto Glory Road, and the stadium comes up on the right.
That's the direct line in without navigating downtown surface streets or the I-10 downtown exits where congestion accumulates earlier on game days.
When Exit 18A is running slow — and for the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl noon kickoff on December 31st, it will be — locals know the alternatives. Porfirio Diaz (Exit 18B) and Executive Center Blvd. (Exit 16) both feed into the campus area with somewhat less competition, per local game-day reporting. Mesa Street (Exit 19A) also works: right on Mesa Street, then left on University Avenue or Sun Bowl Drive.
Your specific approach for your event date is something that gets worked out when you book — the support team coordinates with current road conditions so your group isn't guessing at a lane closure on December 31st with 50,000 people trying to reach the same corner of El Paso.
Rideshare Drop-Off at Sun Bowl Stadium: Lot RA-2
The official rideshare and taxi drop-off zone is Lot RA-2 at the corner of Randolph and Robinson streets — where all Uber, Lyft, taxis, and limos are directed in and out, per the Sun Bowl Association's official parking page. For a group of four, that's workable. For a group of 30 trying to coordinate multiple rideshares arriving at staggered ETAs at the same corner on New Year's Eve, when every surge-priced car in El Paso is heading toward campus — that's the exact game-day scramble one charter bus eliminates before it starts.
Where Charter Buses Park at Sun Bowl Stadium
This is the detail most group planners miss until it's inconvenient. The Sun Bowl Parking Garage (SBG) at the south end of the stadium has a published clearance height of 8 feet 2 inches, per the official parking and tailgating page. A standard 40-56 passenger charter bus stands 12 to 13 feet.
It cannot enter the garage — full stop. Do not route a bus group through the SBG.
The correct lot for oversized vehicles — charter buses, RVs, campers, trailers, and limos — is Lot SC-1 off Schuster Avenue, at a flat fee of $50 per vehicle. For the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 31st, SC-1 opens for overnight staging beginning at 6 AM the day before the game, which gives groups traveling from Midland the option to arrive in El Paso the evening of December 30th and stage the vehicle overnight. For regular UTEP Miners home games during the fall, the SC-1 arrangement is coordinated when you book — and because no parking passes are sold at the gate on any game day, this is not something to sort out on arrival.
Sun Bowl Stadium sells zero parking passes on game day. That's the rule — confirmed twice on the Sun Bowl Association's official page. Reserved spots at $20 must be purchased through the Sun Bowl Association office or Ticketmaster before game day.
Oversized vehicle spots in Lot SC-1 at $50 also require advance arrangement. One charter bus with a pre-planned campus drop-off sidesteps this entirely: no individual passes to coordinate, no last-minute scramble, and the group arrives as one unit instead of a caravan hunting for different lots on a campus it's never seen before.
Driving from Midland to El Paso for the Sun Bowl: Routes & Timing
Every Sun Bowl Stadium road trip from Midland runs the same corridor: I-20 W out of the Permian Basin to the Van Horn interchange, then I-10 W through the Franklin Mountains into El Paso. The total is approximately 306 miles — about 4 hours 25 minutes under normal conditions. Game days add time on the El Paso approach: the I-10 corridor inside the city backs up well before the Schuster exit, and for December 31st's noon kickoff, the window between "manageable" and "gridlocked" closes fast once you're inside the metro.
| From | Approx. distance | Typical off-peak drive | Game-day add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland, TX | ~306 miles | 4 hrs 25 min | Add 30–60 min on I-10 El Paso approach |
| Odessa, TX | ~300 miles | 4 hrs 15 min | Add 30–60 min on I-10 El Paso approach |
| Pecos, TX | ~210 miles | 3 hrs | Add 20–30 min on I-10 El Paso approach |
For the December 31st Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl — noon kickoff at 12:00 PM MST — a Midland group needs to leave by 6:00–6:30 AM to arrive on campus with time to park, pick up pre-purchased will-call passes at Starbucks (2300 N. Mesa St.) between 8 AM and 11:30 AM, and clear the entrance gates before kickoff. A charter bus departure at 6:00 AM from Midland gets your group to El Paso around 10:30 AM — enough time for the SC-1 staging, the will-call pickup for any driving members of your group, and the walk to the gates. For the Miners' evening home games (most of the 2026 regular season schedule kicks off at 7 PM MT), a mid-afternoon departure from Midland keeps your group ahead of the final congestion wave on I-10.
Sun Bowl Stadium Parking: Every Option Your Group Needs to Know
Sun Bowl Stadium parking is more structured than most venues this size, and knowing the full picture before December 31st matters — especially if you're arriving with a mix of bus passengers and anyone who drove separately and needs to meet the group at the gates.
| Option | Cost | Available game day? | Best for | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reserved lots (various) | $20/vehicle | No — advance purchase only | Cars with pre-planned spots | Will call at Starbucks (2300 N. Mesa St.) 8 AM–11:30 AM on game day |
| Sun Bowl Parking Garage (SBG) | $20/vehicle | No — advance purchase only | Cars only | Clearance 8'2" — charter buses cannot enter; tailgating prohibited inside |
| Lot SC-1 (Oversized vehicles) | $50/vehicle | No — advance arrangement only | Charter buses, RVs, limos, trailers | Off Schuster Ave; overnight access from 6 AM day before (Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl) |
| Free lots (SB2, SB3, SCG, SC3, SC4) | Free | Yes, while available | Early-arriving fans | Fill early on big-game days; courtesy shuttle from south lots to stadium |
| Rideshare drop-off (Lot RA-2) | Surge pricing varies | Yes | Small groups using Uber/Lyft | Corner of Randolph & Robinson; post-game surge and wait times apply |
| Sun Metro Park & Ride | $3 round trip | Yes | Fans parked or staying downtown | Six downtown El Paso pickup locations; per UTEP's game day guide |
| El Paso Streetcar | Free on game days | Yes | Fans based in downtown hotels | Circles from downtown to Glory Road Parking Garage at UTEP; confirm schedule at sunmetro.net |
| ADA parking (SC-2 and SB-10 lots) | Free with valid placard | Yes | Guests requiring accessible parking | Complimentary shuttle to North Sun Bowl entrance, starts 2 hours before kickoff through 3rd quarter |
For any fan in your group who drives to El Paso separately rather than boarding the bus in Midland, the El Paso Streetcar on game days is worth flagging: it's free, it circles from downtown hotels and parking garages straight to the Glory Road Parking Garage at UTEP, and it's the cleanest way to meet the group at the stadium if someone is coming from a different direction. The full route and stop schedule live at sunmetro.net — check there as your game date approaches for current service hours, since schedules can shift for major events.
Rent a Bus to Sun Bowl Stadium: Which Vehicle Fits Your Group?
A 306-mile round trip changes the vehicle math compared to a local evening run. For a trip of this length, comfort on the road matters just as much as what happens at the stadium — and that tips the equation toward vehicles with onboard restrooms, power outlets, and reclining seats for the stretch between Fort Stockton and El Paso. Here is how the options from Midlandpartybuscompany.com's network break down for a Sun Bowl Stadium road trip.
| Vehicle | Seats | Road-trip comfort | Tailgate gear | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Good — climate control, overhead storage, reclining seats | Modest — limited underfloor storage | Smaller groups, tight campus streets, maneuverable approach |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Good — climate control, perimeter seating, premium sound | Lighter — onboard storage only | Groups who want the celebration energy built into the drive |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Best — reclining seats, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom | Excellent — deep undercarriage bays | Large groups, 4.5-hour road trips, heavy tailgate gear |
For the Midland-to-El Paso run, the 40-56 passenger charter bus earns its keep on road trips like this: four and a half hours in a reclining seat with WiFi, a power outlet at every row, and an onboard restroom is a fundamentally different trip than the same drive in a vehicle without those amenities. A group of 40 in one charter bus also means the tailgate gear — coolers, canopy, folding chairs — rides in the deep undercarriage bays instead of cramming into the back seat of someone's truck. For groups of 15 to 25 who want the energy up from the first pickup, a 25-passenger party bus brings premium Bluetooth sound and LED lighting into the equation without overbuilding the vehicle for a smaller group.
And for tighter-knit groups of 15 to 30 where everyone knows everyone, the minibus keeps costs per head down and handles the campus approach more nimbly than a full-size coach.
Browse the full vehicle lineup to compare seat counts and amenities side by side — or call 432-247-0930 and a support team will match your headcount and road-trip details to the right vehicle in about a minute.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Rental Prices for Sun Bowl Stadium
Sun Bowl trips from Midland are almost always full-day bookings. The math is straightforward: 4.5 hours each way plus 3-4 hours at the game means the bus is with your group for 12 to 14 hours from pickup to drop-off, and quotes for trips of this length are typically structured on a per-day basis rather than by the hour. To give you an idea of what the planning range looks like:
- A 15-35 passenger minibus for a full-day Sun Bowl trip runs roughly $1,100–$2,150 per day. Split across 25 people, that's approximately $44–$86 per person for a round-trip from Midland.
- A 25-passenger party bus falls in the range of roughly $1,850–$2,900 per day. At 25 people, you're looking at approximately $74–$116 per person.
- A 40-56 passenger charter bus typically runs roughly $1,350–$2,850 per day. Split across 45 people, that comes to approximately $30–$63 per person round-trip — which competes directly with the per-person gas cost for the same drive in a caravan of cars, minus the $20 pre-purchased parking pass each car would still need.
These are planning ranges to help you build a budget — the real number moves with your specific date, the vehicle available on that day, your exact headcount, and where in Midland or Odessa your group boards. For December 31st in particular, demand from the broader West Texas market tightens the vehicle supply earlier than you'd expect. Check the Midland party bus prices page for more context on how rates vary by vehicle and occasion, then call 432-247-0930 or fill out the online form for a quote specific to your trip — you'll have actual numbers in about a minute.
The per-person math on a full-size charter bus surprises most groups. A 56-seat coach at $2,000 for the day splits to roughly $36 per person — less than the round-trip gas cost for the same drive in a private car, and that's before anyone buys a $20 reserved parking pass. Once you're past a few cars' worth of people, the bus is typically both simpler and cheaper per head, and nobody is stuck being the designated driver for a 300-mile New Year's Eve return trip.
2026 UTEP Miners Football Home Schedule at Sun Bowl Stadium
The 2026 season marks UTEP's inaugural year in the Mountain West Conference after their transition from Conference USA — a fresh chapter for the Miners and a new reason for Midland fan groups to plan a road trip to El Paso. Head coach Scotty Walden has six home games at Sun Bowl Stadium on the schedule, anchored by the 94th Homecoming Game on September 26th. Per the official UTEP Athletics schedule:
- September 12 — vs. Texas Southern (Heritage Night; 7 PM MT)
- September 26 — vs. Oregon State (94th Homecoming; 7 PM MT)
- October 10 — vs. Nevada (Mountain West Celebration; time TBA)
- October 17 — vs. San Jose State (Innovation Night; 7 PM MT)
- November 7 — vs. Hawai'i (Miner Luau; time TBA)
- November 14 — vs. Wyoming (Texas Western Day; time TBA)
Beyond the Miners' regular season, the 93rd Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl takes over Sun Bowl Stadium on December 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM MST — matching an ACC program against a Pac-12 opponent in the tradition that dates back to January 1, 1935. It is the second-oldest bowl game in the country, behind only the Rose Bowl, and it has hosted four Heisman Trophy winners: Tony Dorsett, LaDainian Tomlinson, Carson Palmer, and Jayden Daniels. The all-time attendance record stands at 54,021 for the 2010 Notre Dame vs. Miami matchup.
The full historical record is on the Sun Bowl Association's history page.
For the December 31st Sun Bowl: book your bus by mid-November at the latest. El Paso hotels sell out weeks in advance for New Year's Eve, rideshare demand on December 31st is the highest of the year, and the charter bus and party bus supply from the Midland market shrinks well before the date. Lock in the vehicle when you buy tickets — not after.
Game Day Tips for First-Timers at Sun Bowl Stadium
A few things that catch out-of-town groups off guard at Sun Bowl Stadium, directly from published UTEP athletics and Sun Bowl Association policies:
- No parking sold at the gate, period. Reserved spots at $20 must be purchased through the Sun Bowl Association or Ticketmaster before game day. Will call pickup for pre-purchased passes is at Starbucks (2300 N. Mesa St.) from 8 AM to 11:30 AM on game day — not at the lots themselves.
- The parking garage is not an option for your bus. The Sun Bowl Parking Garage has an 8'2" clearance height — charter buses and most full-size vans cannot enter. Oversized vehicles go to Lot SC-1 off Schuster Avenue at $50 per vehicle, booked in advance.
- Clear bags only. Per the official stadium policies, one clear plastic bag no larger than 12" × 6" × 12" (or a one-gallon Ziploc) plus a small clutch no larger than 4.5" × 6.5" are what gets you through the gate. No backpacks, no fanny packs, no tinted bags.
- No outside food or drinks. Coolers, glass containers, and outside beverages are prohibited inside Sun Bowl Stadium. Store these items in the bus's undercarriage storage for the duration of the game.
- No glass anywhere on campus on game day. Glass containers are prohibited campus-wide — not just inside the stadium — per the UTEP football game day guide. That applies to parking lot tailgates too.
- Tailgating rules are enforced on campus. One tailgate setup per parking space — canopy, cooking area, and vehicle all within that single space. Groups of 30 or more at a tailgate require private security on site. Inner campus lots open at 2 PM; outer lots open at 8 AM.
- Enter the stadium by the end of the first quarter. UTEP's published game day policy requires fans to enter through the gates before the end of the first quarter. Arrive early, especially for noon kickoffs when the opening routine is condensed.
- The El Paso Streetcar is free on game days. Any fan in your group based at a downtown El Paso hotel can ride the Streetcar to the Glory Road Parking Garage at UTEP at no cost on game days. Details at sunmetro.net.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Sun Bowl Stadium
Where does a charter bus drop off at Sun Bowl Stadium?
Charter buses approach via I-10 Exit 18A (Schuster/Sun Bowl Drive), proceed through the campus roundabouts onto Glory Road, and drop groups on the UTEP campus near the stadium. After drop-off, oversized vehicles stage in Lot SC-1 off Schuster Avenue at $50 per vehicle — the one lot on campus with clearance and space for full-size coaches. Exact staging and drop-off details for your specific game or event date are confirmed at booking.
Can a charter bus use the Sun Bowl Parking Garage?
No. The Sun Bowl Parking Garage has a published clearance height of 8 feet 2 inches, per the Sun Bowl Association's official parking page. A standard charter bus stands 12-13 feet tall. Tailgating is also prohibited inside the garage regardless of vehicle type.
Oversized vehicles belong in Lot SC-1 off Schuster Avenue.
Are parking passes sold on game day at Sun Bowl Stadium?
No — confirmed explicitly on the Sun Bowl Association's official parking page. Reserved spots at $20 and oversized vehicle spots at $50 must both be arranged before game day. This makes advance planning non-negotiable for any Sun Bowl trip, and it's one of the strongest arguments for a single charter bus: one pre-arranged drop, no individual parking passes to coordinate across a caravan of cars that all need to have bought their spots weeks earlier.
How far is the drive from Midland to Sun Bowl Stadium?
Approximately 306 miles via I-20 W to I-10 W, about 4 hours 25 minutes under normal conditions. The El Paso approach on I-10 can add 30-60 minutes on game days, particularly near Exit 18A in the 90 minutes before kickoff. For the December 31st noon kickoff, plan to be rolling out of Midland by 6:00–6:30 AM.
How much does it cost to rent a bus from Midland to Sun Bowl Stadium?
Sun Bowl trips from Midland are full-day bookings — figure 12-14 hours from pickup to drop-off covering drive time and the game. A 40-56 passenger charter bus runs roughly $1,350–$2,850 per day in the network; a 15-35 passenger minibus falls in the $1,100–$2,150 range. The actual price shifts with your date, group size, and vehicle availability.
Call 432-247-0930 or fill out the online form — you'll have real numbers in about a minute, no obligation.
Is the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl always on December 31st?
Yes, as part of a long-standing tradition. The 93rd edition on December 31, 2026 kicks off at 12:00 PM MST, matching an ACC team against a Pac-12 opponent. The game has been played on December 31st since 1935 (with historical exceptions), and it's the second-oldest bowl game in the country behind only the Rose Bowl.
Full details at the official Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl site.
How early should we book a charter bus for the Sun Bowl?
By mid-November for the December 31st bowl game. New Year's Eve travel demand across West Texas is high, El Paso hotels fill early, and the charter bus supply from the Midland market shrinks faster than people expect. For the fall UTEP home schedule — especially Homecoming (September 26 vs. Oregon State) and the Mountain West Conference opener (October 10 vs. Nevada) — two to three weeks of lead time is workable, but earlier always means better vehicle selection.
Call 432-247-0930 as soon as your date is confirmed.
What is the bag policy at Sun Bowl Stadium?
Sun Bowl Stadium is a clear-bag-only venue. Each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12" × 6" × 12" or a one-gallon clear Ziploc bag, plus one small clutch no larger than 4.5" × 6.5". All bags are subject to search at entry.
No coolers, outside beverages, or glass containers are allowed inside — and glass is prohibited campus-wide on game days, not just inside the gates. Full policies are posted on the official stadium policies page.
Is there public transit from downtown El Paso to Sun Bowl Stadium?
Yes. Sun Metro's Park & Ride service runs from six downtown El Paso locations to UTEP's campus for a $3 round-trip fare, per the UTEP football game day guide. The El Paso Streetcar is free on game days and connects downtown to the Glory Road Parking Garage at UTEP.
Both options are most useful for fans staying in downtown hotels rather than Midland groups making the road trip by bus — but good to know for anyone meeting your group in El Paso. Schedules and stop info are at sunmetro.net.
Book Your Sun Bowl Stadium Charter Bus or Party Bus Today
Whether it's a Mountain West Conference showdown in October or the full New Year's Eve run to the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 31st, Midlandpartybuscompany.com makes finding the right bus for a Midland group road trip to El Paso fast. Fill out one quick form and compare vehicles and pricing from a large network of bus companies in seconds — or call 432-247-0930 any time for a quote specific to your group size and date. No account needed, no obligation, and you'll have real pricing in about a minute.
For other Midland group transportation guides, the Jones AT&T Stadium guide covers the Lubbock run for Texas Tech games, and Grande Communications Stadium handles the RockHounds and Midland-area sports transportation. Groups coordinating flights through Midland will find everything they need for ground transfers in the MAF airport shuttle guide. For the Sun Bowl trip — call 432-247-0930 and get your group on the road.
