The pregame starts when the bus pulls away from Savannah — not in a campus parking lot you circled for 40 minutes. If your group is making the run from Savannah to Statesboro for a Georgia Southern Eagles home game, you already know the math: I-16 West, about 55 miles, then the Exit 116 ramp onto US-301 North as thousands of fans converge on a campus where the Gold Lot is donor-only and southbound Lanier Drive closes four hours before kickoff. The traffic stacks fast around Fair Road and Lanier Drive in the hour before the game — and at that point, whether you're three cars in a caravan still looking for PAC Lot space or one bus already pulling up to the Malecki Drive bus stop, is entirely a matter of planning.
Allen E. Paulson Stadium sits at 207 Lanier Dr., Statesboro, GA 30458 — 25,000 seats, a home record of 218-51 (.810 winning percentage) through 2024, and a game-day operation tight enough that first-timers regularly underestimate it. The parking logistics here are real: the Gold Lot at the stadium is reserved for Erk Russell Fund donors; the PAC and RAC lots run $10 in advance or $20 at the gate; Lanier Drive shuts down four hours before kickoff. And post-game, all the major lots funnel onto Lanier Drive toward Veterans Memorial Parkway in one directed flow.
This guide covers exactly how a charter bus or party bus handles every one of those details — using Georgia Southern's published rules and verified game-day logistics — so your group arrives together, catches the Eagle Walk, and gets home without a scramble.
Why Rent a Bus to Paulson Stadium for Georgia Southern Game Day?
A Savannah-to-Statesboro game day in separate cars comes with a specific set of problems that build on each other. First, keeping a caravan together on I-16 for 55 miles. Then figuring out where everyone parks — Gold Lot is off-limits to general fans, PAC and RAC fill early, and the free Russell Union lot means a shuttle ride to the stadium before you ever reach the gate.
Then the post-game exit, which channels most lots into a single right-turn onto Lanier Drive toward Veterans Memorial Parkway, and doesn't clear fast. Add a Savannah parking situation at trip start and rideshare math at trip end, and you've spent more energy on logistics than on the game itself.
One charter bus or party bus eliminates the whole chain. Your group leaves from one pickup point in Savannah, arrives at the Malecki Drive bus stop together, has one staging location during the game, and rolls out of Statesboro as a unit when the horn sounds. That's the core of a Paulson Stadium charter bus rental: one plan for the whole day, from I-16 to the parking lot to the ride home.
The Savannah sporting event transportation page covers the broader range of game-day options — but for the Statesboro run specifically, renting a bus is what keeps a fan group together across 55 miles each way.
The Gold Lot at Paulson Stadium is reserved for Erk Russell Fund donors. General fans who park there on game day face towing after 8 AM. For visiting fan groups from Savannah, the realistic paid parking options are the PAC and RAC lots — $10 in advance, $20 at the gate per vehicle — or free parking at Russell Union with the complimentary shuttle.
One charter bus sidesteps all of that entirely.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Paulson Stadium
The designated bus stop at Paulson Stadium is off Malecki Drive, on the campus side of the stadium. That's the common endpoint for all three of Georgia Southern's complimentary game-day shuttle routes — the Gold Route, Blue Route, and Green Route all terminate at the Malecki Drive stop on the Paulson Stadium side. A private charter bus or party bus drops your group there, putting everyone a short walk from the stadium gates rather than at a remote lot waiting on shuttle capacity.
The three shuttle routes run in both directions: Gold Route (Malecki Drive ↔ PAC Lot), Blue Route (Malecki Drive ↔ Russell Union), Green Route (Malecki Drive ↔ RAC Lot). All three are complimentary, all are ADA accessible, and all start 2.5 hours before kickoff and run until one hour after the game ends. If any of your group is arriving separately and parking at a remote lot, those routes are the official connection.
A private bus uses the same Malecki Drive bus stop as the destination — the difference is there are no transfers.
Southbound Lanier Drive closes on game day four hours before kickoff between Chandler Road and Robin Hood Trail, reopening one hour after the game ends. There is no access to Robin Hood Trail from southbound Lanier Drive during that window; traffic from Robin Hood Trail must turn right on Lanier. For a bus coming in from Savannah on I-16, planning the campus approach around this closure is part of the game-day timing.
Review the official Georgia Southern game day parking and transportation page before you leave Savannah — it's updated per game and has the current routing for your specific date.
Paulson Stadium Parking: Gold Lots, PAC, RAC, and What Visitors Actually Pay
Most first-timers make the same assumption: park near the stadium, walk in. Here's what actually happens. The Gold Lot directly at Paulson Stadium is reserved for Erk Russell Fund members who purchase reserved spots.
Non-permitted vehicles parked there on game day are towed starting at 8 AM — and there is no work-around at the gate. That pushes every general-admission fan and every visiting group from Savannah to the campus lots further out.
The two main options for fan groups are the PAC Lot (Performing Arts Center) and the RAC Lot (Recreation Activities Center). Both require a purchased pass: $10 in advance per two-axle vehicle, or $20 at the gate on game day. Cash and cards are both accepted.
RV and large tailgate spots in the PAC Lot run $75–$100 per game (or $450 for a full-season RV pass). Free parking is available at Russell Union with the complimentary Blue Route shuttle to the Malecki Drive bus stop — a solid option if your group doesn't need to be at GATA Row for the Eagle Walk, but the shuttle runs on its own schedule and is not a private vehicle.
For a Savannah group arriving in 10 to 15 separate cars, that's $100–$300 in PAC/RAC parking passes alone, before coordinating where everyone parks, how to regroup for the Eagle Walk, and where to meet after the game. A charter bus or minibus from Savannah removes all of that — one bus, one parking arrangement handled by the university's game-day logistics, one post-game pickup location. For current lot assignments and any per-game updates, the game day parking page is the place to check before game day.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | GATA Row access | Post-game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus from Savannah | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival at Malecki Drive stop | Yes — bus can drop at PAC Lot timing for Eagle Walk | Bus stages nearby; one pickup window, no scramble |
| Carpool (multiple cars) | Gas per car + PAC/RAC parking pass per car ($10–$20 each) | No — caravan splits at lot entrances | Depends on where you park | Caravan regroups slowly; all funnel onto Lanier Drive together |
| Drive yourself, park at PAC/RAC | Gas + $10 advance or $20 day-of per car | No — each car parks separately | Yes, if you're in PAC Lot | Directed flow onto Lanier Drive toward Veterans Memorial Pkwy |
| Drive yourself, park at Russell Union | Gas + free parking | No — each car parks separately, then shuttle | No — shuttle goes to Malecki Dr. stop, not PAC Lot | Shuttle back to Russell Union, then drive home |
The 55-Mile Run: Getting from Savannah to Statesboro on Game Day
From Savannah, the route is a straight shot: take I-16 West about 44 miles to Exit 116 (US-25/US-301 toward Statesboro and Claxton), then follow US-301 North approximately 13 miles into campus at Statesboro. In normal conditions, the full trip runs close to an hour. On game day — particularly for Saturday afternoon kickoffs and the Thursday night games that fill the Sun Belt Conference calendar — build in extra time for the merge traffic coming off I-16 and the inevitable Statesboro slowdown once you're on US-301.
The specific pressure point locals know: Fair Road and Lanier Drive start stacking roughly an hour before kickoff. Once Lanier Drive closes southbound four hours before kickoff, campus traffic is rerouted, and anyone who didn't plan for it is navigating around the closure. For a group in multiple cars from Savannah, that's 10–15 individual cars trying to adapt in real time.
For a group on a charter bus, the route is handled in advance — one departure, one arrival at the Malecki Drive bus stop.
On the way back, all vehicles from the Gold, Peach, Morris Bank Blue, Green, and Teal Lots exit by turning right onto Lanier Drive toward Veterans Memorial Parkway. Lot 29 exits onto Knight Drive. In either case, clearing campus after a sold-out game takes 20–40 minutes before you're back on US-301 heading toward I-16 East.
A charter bus handles the exit queue and the I-16 run home the same way it handled the drive in — one vehicle, one plan, no regrouping.
GATA Row, the Eagle Walk, and Tailgating at Paulson Stadium
GATA is the whole personality of Georgia Southern game day. Coach Erk Russell coined it — "Get After Their A**es!" — as a rallying cry that drove the Eagles to six FCS national championships, and it's now a copyright, a campus-wide ethos, and the loudest thing you'll hear in the tailgating lots before kickoff. The official Georgia Southern traditions page tells the full story; the short version is that GATA is why Georgia Southern game days have the energy they do, and why getting your group into the right lot — at the right time — matters more here than at most college venues.
The prime tailgate location for fan groups is the PAC Lot, which runs along a grass area on Chandler Road known as GATA Row. About two hours before kickoff, the Eagles football team boards the yellow school buses — purchased for just $1 each from the Bulloch County School District in 1981, one of the most storied budget decisions in college football history — and rides through the tailgating lots en route to the stadium. GATA Row is exactly where fans pack the grass to watch that Eagle Walk.
If your group parks at Russell Union and takes the shuttle to Malecki Drive, you skip it. A charter bus from Savannah can time the drop-off to put your group in the PAC Lot area well before the Eagle Walk starts, so the game-day experience begins the right way.
Tailgating is permitted in the green and grass areas around lot perimeters and directly behind vehicles, as long as it doesn't block traffic or parking stalls. RV and large tailgate setups in the PAC Lot can access the lot the night before game day; no overnight parking is allowed in other game-day lots. A 5 mph campus speed limit is enforced throughout all game-day parking areas.
For any specific restrictions on your game date — some matchups bring additional rules — check the game day page before you arrive.
Leaving After the Game: Post-Game Exit at Paulson Stadium
Post-game egress at Paulson is organized and directional, which is the polite way of saying your options are limited once the final whistle blows. The Gold, Peach, Morris Bank Blue, Green, and Teal Lots all exit in one direction: right turn onto Lanier Drive toward Veterans Memorial Parkway. That's not a suggestion — it's the directed flow managed by event staff.
Lot 29 has its own exit onto Knight Drive. And because Lanier Drive itself was closed southbound for most of game day, everyone from every lot is eventually merging back toward the same corridor out of Statesboro.
For a group on a charter bus, this is where the bus earns its keep most clearly. The bus stages in its assigned area during the game, your group agrees on a post-game pickup point and time before anyone splits up, and the bus is there when you walk out. No hunting for a car in the dark across three different lots.
No waiting on rideshare in a town where surge pricing hits hard after a home game. The bus takes the Veterans Memorial Parkway corridor to the I-16 on-ramp and the 55-mile run back to Savannah happens the same way the trip out did — everyone together, one plan, zero scramble. That's the whole game-day case for a Savannah charter bus rental to Paulson Stadium.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Rentals to Paulson Stadium: Which Vehicle Fits Your Group?
The right vehicle for a Savannah-to-Statesboro game day comes down to headcount and how much tailgate gear your group is hauling. Here's how the options from Savannahpartybuscompany.com's network break down for a Paulson run.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Tailgate gear? | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Light — small coolers, bags | Small alumni groups, family groups | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted windows |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Moderate — overhead plus some underfloor | Mid-size fan groups, organized alumni chapters | Powerful A/C, reclining seats, easy campus maneuverability |
| 25-passenger party bus | Up to 25 | Light — onboard storage | Groups who want the party atmosphere on the I-16 run | LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Excellent — deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, alumni associations, tailgate-heavy groups | Reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage bays |
For most Savannah fan groups making the Statesboro run, the minibus is the practical middle ground: enough room for 20–30 people, good A/C for a Georgia fall afternoon, and easier to navigate PAC Lot entrances than a full 45-foot coach. For groups of 40 or more — or anyone bringing a serious tailgate setup with coolers, folding tables, and chairs — the deep undercarriage bays on a charter bus make the gear hauling straightforward and keep the onboard restroom in play for the 55-mile run. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network; note it when you request your quote.
Browse the full vehicle lineup to compare options, or call 912-761-9170 any time.
Rent a Bus to Paulson Stadium: Pricing
What shapes the price for a Savannah-to-Statesboro game day: vehicle size, total hours (which includes the drive each way plus tailgate staging and post-game wait), and the specific date. To give you a planning sense using the network's rate ranges — not a quote, since actual pricing depends on your itinerary — a 15–35 passenger minibus typically runs $200–$275/hour on weekends; a 40–56 passenger charter bus runs $200–$350/hour on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus runs $275–$375/hour on weekends.
A typical Paulson game day from Savannah involves pickup, the hour-long drive out, tailgate time on campus, the game, the post-game wait, and the drive back — which adds up to roughly 7–9 hours of vehicle time. Split across 25, 35, or 50 people, that charter bus rate per head often comes out ahead of coordinating 10–15 separate cars with PAC/RAC parking passes, gas for the round trip, and the logistical overhead of keeping everyone together. The Savannah party bus prices page has more context on range and what moves the number.
For a fast, free estimate specific to your group size and date, call 912-761-9170 or fill out the quick online form — Savannahpartybuscompany.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Savannah, and you can see pricing options in under 30 seconds. No account required.
2026 Georgia Southern Home Games at Paulson Stadium
Georgia Southern's 2026 home schedule at Paulson Stadium runs from September through late November. The Eagles host six home games: September 5 vs. Charleston Southern (7:00 PM season opener, with Little Eagles Day and Teacher Appreciation promotions at the stadium); September 26 vs. Houston; October 10 vs. James Madison in mid-October when the Georgia weather makes an afternoon tailgate ideal; October 31 vs. App State on Halloween weekend, one of the more heavily-attended home dates; November 7 vs. Marshall; and November 28 vs. Louisiana Tech to close out the home slate.
For October and November conference games — especially the App State Halloween matchup and the Marshall game — GATA Row in the PAC Lot fills well before kickoff and the shuttle lots reach capacity faster than they do for early-season games. If your Savannah fan group is planning around any of those dates, the earlier you lock in your bus, the better the availability. Check the official Georgia Southern football schedule for confirmed kickoff times as they're released — times are set closer to game day for most Sun Belt matchups.
Call 912-761-9170 when your date is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions: Charter Bus & Party Bus Rentals to Paulson Stadium
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Paulson Stadium?
The designated bus stop is off Malecki Drive on the campus side of Paulson Stadium — the same stop all three of Georgia Southern's complimentary game-day shuttle routes (Gold, Blue, Green) use on the stadium side. A private bus drops your group there, a short walk from the gates, rather than at a remote lot. Because southbound Lanier Drive closes four hours before kickoff, plan the campus approach in advance and check the official game day parking and transportation page for the current routing on your game date.
How far is Savannah from Paulson Stadium?
About 55 miles — roughly one hour via I-16 West to Exit 116 (US-25/US-301 toward Statesboro), then north on US-301 approximately 13 miles to campus. On game day, add buffer for the Fair Road and Lanier Drive traffic buildup in the hour before kickoff. Departing Savannah at least 2.5 to 3 hours before kickoff leaves room for the drive, parking logistics, and time on GATA Row before the Eagle Walk.
What does parking cost for fan groups at Paulson Stadium?
The Gold Lot at Paulson is reserved for Erk Russell Fund donors — non-permitted vehicles are towed on game day after 8 AM. The PAC and RAC Lots (the main visitor/fan lots) charge $10 in advance or $20 at the gate per two-axle vehicle. RV and large tailgate spots in the PAC Lot run $75–$100 per game.
Free parking is available at Russell Union with the complimentary Blue Route shuttle to the Malecki Drive bus stop. For current information, check the game day parking page.
What is the Eagle Walk and how does it affect where my group should be on game day?
Approximately two hours before kickoff, the Georgia Southern football team boards the yellow school buses — purchased for $1 each from the Bulloch County School District in 1981 — and rides through the tailgating lots as fans line GATA Row on Chandler Road in the PAC Lot to cheer them in. It's the signature game-day moment at Paulson, and groups that park at the Russell Union free lot and take the Blue Route shuttle to Malecki Drive typically miss it. A charter bus can put your group in the PAC Lot area in time to catch the Eagle Walk from GATA Row.
What is GATA?
GATA was coined by legendary coach Erk Russell — it stands for "Get After Their A**es!" and defined the culture that built Georgia Southern into a six-time national championship program. Today it's a rallying cry across the university and the defining energy of every Paulson Stadium game day. The official Georgia Southern traditions page has the full history; on game day, you'll hear it everywhere from the parking lot to the final whistle.
How much does it cost to rent a charter bus from Savannah to Paulson Stadium?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, hours, and your specific date. Planning ranges from the network: a minibus runs roughly $200–$275/hour on weekends; a full charter bus runs $200–$350/hour on weekends; a 25-passenger party bus runs $275–$375/hour on weekends. A complete Paulson game day from Savannah — departure, drive out, tailgate staging, game wait, and return — typically works out to 7–9 hours.
These are ranges for planning, not a quote; the actual number for your specific itinerary is fast to get. Call 912-761-9170 or fill out the quick form to compare options for your date in under 30 seconds.
How does the post-game exit work at Paulson Stadium?
After the game, all vehicles in the Gold, Peach, Morris Bank Blue, Green, and Teal Lots exit by turning right onto Lanier Drive toward Veterans Memorial Parkway — that's the directed one-way flow. Lot 29 exits onto Knight Drive. Clearing campus typically takes 20–40 minutes after a well-attended game.
A charter bus stages nearby during the game and is at your agreed-upon pickup point when your group walks out — no regrouping across multiple lots, no waiting on rideshare. Once the bus is moving, it takes Veterans Memorial Parkway to the I-16 on-ramp and the 55-mile return to Savannah.
Can a charter bus handle the tailgate gear?
Yes. A 40–56 passenger charter bus has deep undercarriage bays that handle coolers, folding chairs, tables, and other tailgate gear for the drive each way. The minibus has overhead and some underfloor storage for lighter loads.
If your group is bringing a serious tailgate setup, the full charter bus is the right call — the undercarriage bays make the gear transfer at the PAC Lot simple. Note it in your quote request so the right vehicle is matched to your setup.
Are ADA-accessible buses available for Paulson Stadium trips?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles can be requested through the network. Note the need when you fill out the quote form or when you call 912-761-9170, and a support team will help match the right vehicle to your group. At Paulson Stadium, ADA-accessible parking is available for guests with valid disabled placards; confirm current ADA lot details with Georgia Southern's parking office at 912-478-7275 or email parking@georgiasouthern.edu before game day.
Get Your Group on the Road to Paulson Stadium
Whether it's the September 5 season opener against Charleston Southern or the Halloween-weekend App State game in October, Savannahpartybuscompany.com makes finding the right bus for your Savannah-to-Statesboro group fast and straightforward. Fill out one quick online form to compare charter buses, party buses, and minibuses available for your game date — or call 912-761-9170 any time, any day. A support team is available to answer questions and help put together the right package.
There's no account required, no obligation to book from the quote, and pricing comes back in under 30 seconds. Also heading to a downtown Savannah event? The Enmarket Arena bus guide covers concerts and events closer to home.
