You'll know you're close when the Modesto Municipal Golf Course appears on your left — Neece Drive runs a quarter-mile alongside the fairway before Modern Woodmen Field (the ballpark long known as John Thurman Field) comes into view at the south end of the road. The approach is charming. In a single car with a passenger navigating, it's easy enough.
Arrive with four or five carloads of friends trying to stay together through the Tuolumne Boulevard exit off Highway 99, down that golf-course access road, and into a parking lot that's filling up fast on a Friday night — and the whole thing gets complicated quickly. A charter bus or party bus rental to John Thurman Field collapses that coordination problem into a single, on-time group arrival.
This guide covers what every group planner needs to know before game day: the approach from Highway 99, how the East and West lots work, what the new 2026 season looks like at Modern Woodmen Field, and which vehicle makes sense for your headcount and origin point. The Modesto Roadsters' inaugural Pioneer League season at 601 Neece Drive, Modesto, CA 95351 — managed by six-time Gold Glove winner JT Snow — has given the historic ballpark a compelling new chapter, and several dates in the 2026 schedule warrant planning your group bus trip well in advance. Call 209-758-9890 any time to get pricing for your game-day run, or use the quick online form to compare party buses and charter buses from a large network of bus companies serving Modesto in under a minute.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to John Thurman Field?
Parking at Modern Woodmen Field is free for Roadsters games — roughly 677 on-site spaces across the East and West lots plus 360 overflow, per the City of Modesto's facility page. That's the genuinely good news for smaller groups or couples driving over from downtown. For a group of 25, 40, or more, though, free parking doesn't mean easy logistics.
It just means the coordination problem is about the approach, not the cost.
The issue is Neece Drive itself. The road is a dedicated access corridor that runs alongside the golf course to the stadium entrance — there's no grid street running parallel, no alternate route, no quick detour if someone misses the Tuolumne Blvd. turn. When five or six cars try to stay together through that exit and down the access road in the 20 minutes before first pitch, at least one of them ends up parked in a different area from the rest and the group reconvenes by text inside the park instead of walking in together.
A single charter bus removes the entire scenario. One turn, one parking space equivalent, one arrival. Everyone is together at the gate when it opens.
For groups coming in from Sacramento, Stockton, Turlock, or Merced, the case for a Modesto charter bus rental gets even clearer. The highway miles on CA-99 between origin and exit are the same whether you take one bus or ten cars — except on one bus, the whole group travels together, no one has to manage their own route, and no one is stuck being the non-drinker who drives home after the final out. One quote from Modestopartybuscompany.com covers pickup from your starting point through the post-game return.
See the Modesto sporting event transportation page for the full picture of what group game-day runs to John Thurman Field typically look like.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at John Thurman Field
Modern Woodmen Field is surrounded by open surface parking lots accessible directly from Neece Drive — no single ticketed vehicle gate, no multi-block approach corridor. A charter bus or minibus pulls into the lot off Neece Drive, drops the group at the main entrance, and stages in the lot while your group is at the game. There's no equivalent of the 25-minute rideshare walk some big-city stadiums impose.
The bus goes where the cars go, just in one vehicle instead of eight.
For large coaches arriving on busy nights — fireworks games and weekend series in particular — it's worth a quick call to the Modesto Roadsters at (209) 572-4487 before your trip to confirm where oversized vehicles are directed that evening. The official Modesto Roadsters website and their game-day parking guide are the right sources for any current lot-specific direction, and it's always smart to review them before you leave. The Roadsters are in their inaugural 2026 season and the team has been building a fan-first operation — their front office has been responsive for group logistics questions.
The Highway 99 Tuolumne Blvd. Exit and the Neece Drive Approach
The standard approach from either direction on Highway 99 (CA-99) uses the Tuolumne Boulevard exit. From the exit ramp, head west on Tuolumne Blvd. for one block, then turn left (south) onto Neece Drive. The Modesto Municipal Golf Course is immediately on your right as you make the turn.
Follow Neece Drive approximately a quarter mile south alongside the course — the ballpark appears at the end of the road. The total distance from the Highway 99 exit to the parking lot entrance is under a mile.
What makes this approach work perfectly for a bus and imperfectly for a caravan: Neece Drive is a single access road with no shortcut. A charter bus makes the turn once, drops your whole group at the main entrance, and parks. Six cars make the same turn six times, arriving in waves over a 10-minute window, and everyone has to reassemble inside the gate.
The bus just removes that piece entirely.
One thing worth noting before any game: Caltrans has periodically flagged maintenance activity on CA-99 near the Modesto corridor, including ramp work at nearby exits. The Caltrans District 10 news page publishes travel advisories for Stanislaus County when ramp closures are in effect — worth a quick check the week of your game if you're traveling from Sacramento or Stockton.
Parking at John Thurman Field: East Lot, West Lot, and Game-Night Overflow
The two main parking areas — East Lot and West Lot — each have a dedicated access point off Neece Drive and dedicated booth positions to direct traffic flow. On-site capacity sits at roughly 677 spaces; the overflow areas add 360 more for a combined footprint of approximately 1,037 spots. For a 4,000-seat ballpark, that's a generous ratio, and most midweek nights have no shortage of open spaces if your group arrives 30–45 minutes before first pitch.
On fireworks nights and holiday weekend series — particularly Opening Night (May 19) and the July 3rd and 4th games — that supply gets tested. The overflow areas fill second, and groups arriving on foot from the overflow sections walk a longer distance to the gate. A bus that drops your group at the main entrance sidesteps all of it, since the bus occupies one space while your group is already inside.
Parking at Modern Woodmen Field is free for 2026 Roadsters games. The constraint isn't the cost — it's the approach. Neece Drive is a one-in, one-out access road, and a caravan of six cars navigating the same Tuolumne Blvd. turn at the same time, in the same 20-minute window before first pitch, is how group outings fall apart before the game even starts.
One charter bus makes one clean approach and one clean drop.
John Thurman Field Transportation: Bus vs. Driving vs. Rideshare
Rideshare to John Thurman Field works for individuals and couples — it gets you to the Neece Drive parking area, and on a moderate-traffic night, pickup after the game is manageable. For a group of 20 or more, the math changes fast. Here's how the options break down for the size of group this guide is written for:
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Post-game pickup | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Bus staged in lot, ready when you exit | 15–56 |
| Everyone drives & parks | Gas per car; parking is free at John Thurman Field | No — caravans split on Neece Drive | Each car finds its own way out of the lot | 1–4 per car |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way; possible surge post-game | No — multiple cars, staggered ETAs | Request cars individually outside the lot | 1–4 per car |
For one or two people heading to a quiet Tuesday night game, rideshare or driving is sensible — no reason to charter a bus for a pair. But once your party hits the size where you're booking multiple cars anyway, the coordination cost of separate vehicles — different arrival times, different lot sections, different post-game departure windows — tips clearly toward one bus. That's the group the rest of this guide is written for.
What Size Bus Fits Your John Thurman Field Group?
Modestopartybuscompany.com connects your group to a full range of vehicles through a large network of bus companies serving Modesto and the Central Valley, so your ride matches both your headcount and your trip. A 4,000-seat ballpark draws a wide range of group sizes — here's how the main vehicle options line up for a John Thurman Field game-day run:
| Vehicle | Seats | Storage | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van / 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to ~14 | Rear cargo area | Small executive groups, suite holders, VIP outings | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted privacy windows, individual climate control |
| Party bus (25, 30, or 40 passenger) | ~15–50 | Lighter — onboard overhead | Fan groups, birthday outings, company events wanting an energetic ride | LED lighting, premium sound with Bluetooth, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Overhead bins, some underfloor | Mid-size groups, hotel-to-ballpark shuttles, clean comfortable transit | Reclining seats, climate control, maneuverable for Neece Drive access |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, long-haul runs from Sacramento or Stockton, company outings | Reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage luggage bays |
For most Modesto-area groups, the call comes down to headcount and highway distance. A minibus is the natural fit for local groups of 20–30 — it handles the Neece Drive approach without the turning-radius considerations of a full 45-foot coach, and it's typically the most cost-efficient option per seat for shorter city runs. For groups of 35 or more, or for anyone making the drive down from Sacramento, a full charter bus gives every passenger a reclining seat, overhead storage, and an onboard restroom for the highway miles each way.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — just note your needs when you request a quote.
John Thurman Field Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices
Rental rates depend on vehicle size, the day of week your game falls on, and total hours needed for your itinerary. Modestopartybuscompany.com pulls pricing from a large network of bus companies serving Modesto so you can compare options in under a minute. To give you a planning range:
| Vehicle | Weekday hourly range | Weekend hourly range |
|---|---|---|
| 15–35 passenger minibus | $200–$250/hr | $200–$275/hr |
| 25 passenger party bus | $250–$350/hr | $275–$375/hr |
| 40 passenger party bus | $300–$350/hr | $325–$500/hr |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | $200–$350/hr | $200–$350/hr |
These are planning figures — the specific rate for your date, group size, and pickup location comes from your actual quote. The rate range moves with the date, the specific vehicle available, and total hours booked. Call 209-758-9890 or use the online form to get a quote in about a minute.
Visit the Modesto party bus prices page for the full rate breakdown by vehicle type.
The per-person math is where a charter bus rental to John Thurman Field usually wins the argument. Book a 35-passenger minibus for a weeknight game — pickup from your gathering spot, the game, and the ride home — and a 4-hour rental at $200–$250 per hour runs $800–$1,000 total. Across 30 people, that's roughly $27–$33 per person.
Compare that to 8 separate cars, each with its own gas cost, each requiring someone to stay sober for the drive home, and each arriving and departing the lot on its own timeline — and the bus math looks better than most organizers expect before they run it.
A single 40-seat charter bus replaces roughly 10 cars. At John Thurman Field, parking is free — so the argument for the bus isn't parking cost savings. It's one clean approach on Neece Drive, one arrival at the gate, and one staged pickup after the final out instead of 10 separate post-game departure windows across two parking lots.
Getting to John Thurman Field From Around the Central Valley
Highway 99 is the main artery for essentially every group coming from outside Modesto. The Tuolumne Blvd. exit puts you under a mile from the parking lot regardless of whether you're coming from the north or the south. Off-peak drive times from common group origin points:
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical off-peak drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Modesto | ~4 miles | 10–15 minutes |
| Turlock | ~17 miles north on CA-99 | 20–25 minutes |
| Stockton | ~28 miles south on CA-99 | 30–40 minutes |
| Merced | ~40 miles north on CA-99 | 45–55 minutes |
| Sacramento | ~90 miles south on CA-99 | 75–90 minutes |
| Fresno | ~110 miles north on CA-99 | 95–110 minutes |
The evening game start of 7:11 p.m. lands right in Modesto's after-work traffic window for groups coming from the north on CA-99. If your group is originating in Sacramento or Stockton and heading south on a weekday, build in an extra 20–30 minutes for the CA-99 commute congestion in the 4–6 p.m. window. A charter bus handles that buffer without your group having to think about it — you load up, the bus navigates the highway, and everyone arrives at the Tuolumne Blvd. exit in one piece and on schedule.
Coming North From Turlock and the San Joaquin Valley
Groups coming north on CA-99 from Turlock, Ceres, or Merced hit the Tuolumne Blvd. exit within 20–25 minutes from Turlock and about 55 minutes from Merced. A Turlock party bus rental that collects the group locally before getting on the highway is an easy fit for fan groups and work outings that want the trip itself to feel like part of the event. For a 17-mile run from Turlock to the ballpark, even a 3-hour rental covers the pickup, the game, and the return without pressure — and the group stays together from the first stop to the last out.
Game Day Tips for John Thurman Field
Gates open one hour before first pitch. Most evening home games start at 7:11 p.m.; Saturday games in May and June move to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday games start at 11:00 a.m. That puts the gates at 6:11 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 10:00 a.m. respectively.
For a large group, arriving a full hour before first pitch — not 20 minutes — gives your group time to clear security, find their section together, and settle in before the national anthem.
Security wands every guest. The Roadsters' entry process includes staff conducting individual wand inspections at the gate, per the 2026 season review from Stadium Journey. With a large group arriving together, budget 10–15 minutes for the whole party to clear the security line if you're all coming through at once.
The wide concourse inside makes it easy to regroup quickly once everyone is through.
Bring a clear bag, leave the backpack in the bus. Stadium Journey's 2026 season report explicitly advises guests to "leave backpacks at home" and bring clear stadium sports tote bags instead. Your group's bags riding in the bus's overhead storage or undercarriage bays during the game is a much simpler plan than having items turned away at the gate.
Confirm the current policy on the Roadsters' official FAQ before your visit — bag rules can update between series.
The concourse is wide and navigable. One genuine advantage of a 4,000-seat intimate park: once your group is inside, moving around as a unit is straightforward. Modern Woodmen Field's concourse is notably spacious, with ramp and stair access to all seating areas and restrooms distributed throughout.
Groups with members who need step-free access should confirm accessible entry arrangements with the venue in advance.
Check the parking guide before fireworks nights. The 1,037 combined parking spaces handle most Roadsters games without strain. On Opening Night, the July 3rd and 4th extended fireworks series, and other high-demand dates, both lots fill faster and the overflow area comes into use.
The Roadsters publish their official parking guide on their site — worth reviewing before any high-demand date, particularly for members of your group who are driving separately.
2026 Roadsters Season: Big Nights Worth Planning Around
The Modesto Roadsters are playing a 96-game Pioneer Baseball League slate with 51 home contests at Modern Woodmen Field through the summer of 2026, managed by former Giants first baseman and six-time Gold Glove winner JT Snow. Several dates on that schedule draw the largest crowds to this intimate 4,000-seat park and push group bus demand hard enough that early booking matters.
Opening Night — May 19, 2026. The Roadsters' first-ever home game, with post-game fireworks. A historic inaugural night at a revived ballpark with a recognizable manager generates real excitement in the Central Valley — group demand for this date was high from the moment tickets went on sale.
If you missed it, the rest of the home slate still has excellent dates.
July 3rd & July 4th fireworks series. The Roadsters host extended post-game fireworks shows on both Independence Day dates against the Oakland Ballers — the defending Pioneer League champions. These are the two biggest crowd nights of any minor league baseball summer, and Modern Woodmen Field will be no different.
The overflow parking areas will be in use, and charter bus and party bus requests for these dates spike 4–6 weeks out. Book your group bus for the July 4th weekend as soon as your headcount is confirmed.
Weekend games through June and July. Saturday home games with their 5:30 p.m. start time are a natural fit for group outings — early enough for families, workable for afternoon pickups from Stockton or Turlock, and a consistently strong draw at the park. Group charter bus demand for weekend Roadsters games runs higher than weeknights; if you have a specific Saturday date in mind, two to four weeks of lead time is the practical window to lock in the vehicle you want.
Late August home series. The final home stretch against the Long Beach Baseball Club and the Missoula Paddleheads rounds out the season. Groups that want the full Pioneer League experience before the calendar wraps — including some of the league's more distant travel opponents — often find late August weekend games easier to plan around than the busy July window.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to John Thurman Field
Where does a charter bus drop off at John Thurman Field?
Modern Woodmen Field is surrounded by open surface parking lots accessible directly from Neece Drive. A charter bus or minibus pulls into the East or West lot off Neece Drive and drops your group at the main stadium entrance — there's no remote lot and no long pedestrian walk. For large coaches arriving on high-demand nights, it's worth calling the Modesto Roadsters at (209) 572-4487 in advance to confirm where oversized vehicles are directed for your specific game date.
Is John Thurman Field the same as Modern Woodmen Field?
Yes. The stadium at 601 Neece Drive in Modesto was known as John Thurman Field for decades and served as the home of the Modesto Nuts minor league team through the 2025 season. In April 2026, following a naming rights partnership with Modern Woodmen of America, the venue was officially renamed Modern Woodmen Field.
The Modesto Roadsters of the Pioneer League began play there in May 2026. The address, layout, and approach from Highway 99 are unchanged — many longtime fans still call it John Thurman Field.
Is parking free at John Thurman Field for Roadsters games?
Yes — parking is free for Modesto Roadsters home games in 2026, across approximately 677 on-site spaces in the East and West lots plus 360 overflow spaces. The challenge for large groups isn't the parking cost; it's coordinating multiple vehicles through the Tuolumne Blvd. exit and down the Neece Drive access corridor when everyone is arriving in the same window before first pitch. One charter bus solves that entirely.
How do I get to John Thurman Field from Highway 99?
Take Highway 99 to the Tuolumne Boulevard exit. Go west on Tuolumne Blvd. for one block, then turn left (south) onto Neece Drive — the Modesto Municipal Golf Course is on your right as you make the turn. Follow Neece Drive approximately a quarter mile south along the golf course; the ballpark is at the end of the road.
The total distance from the CA-99 exit to the parking lot entrance is under one mile.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to John Thurman Field?
Rental rates depend on vehicle size, day of week, and total hours. As a planning reference, a 15–35 passenger minibus typically runs $200–$250 per hour on weekdays; a 25-passenger party bus runs $250–$350 per hour weekday or $275–$375 on weekends; a full charter bus runs $200–$350 per hour. Across a group of 30 or 40 people, the per-person cost typically runs well under what most organizers budget.
Call 209-758-9890 or use the online form to get a pricing estimate for your date and headcount in under a minute — no account required, no obligation.
What's the best vehicle for a group of 25 going to a Roadsters game?
A 25-passenger party bus or a mid-size minibus are both natural fits. The party bus brings LED lighting, a sound system, and a flat-panel TV setup for the ride; the minibus is typically the lower-cost option per seat and is highly maneuverable on Neece Drive's access road. Your group's budget and how much the ride itself matters (vs. just getting there comfortably) usually decides it. Modestopartybuscompany.com shows both options and their pricing side by side so you can compare before you commit.
Can a charter bus from Sacramento get to John Thurman Field in time for a 7:11 p.m. game?
Yes, comfortably with proper timing. The Sacramento-to-Modesto run is roughly 90 miles south on Highway 99, typically 75–90 minutes off-peak. For a 7:11 p.m. first pitch, a bus departing Sacramento around 4:30–5:00 p.m. accounts for evening commute traffic on CA-99 and gets your group to Neece Drive well before the gates open at 6:11 p.m.
Building that buffer into your pickup time is exactly the kind of planning detail that comes out when you discuss the itinerary with the support team — call 209-758-9890 to walk through your specific game date.
How many people can a charter bus hold for a John Thurman Field group outing?
Charter buses through the Modestopartybuscompany.com network seat up to 56 passengers. If your group is larger, multiple vehicles are an option — fleet requests for larger outings are easy to arrange. For groups under 35, a minibus is often the more practical and cost-efficient pick.
The right size is one that's full (or close to it) — you never want to pay for empty seats.
What time should our group bus arrive before a Roadsters game?
Aim to arrive at Modern Woodmen Field 60–75 minutes before first pitch — gates open one hour before game time, and security staff wand every guest individually, which takes extra time when a large group arrives together. A bus that drops your group at 6:00 p.m. for a 7:11 game gives you a full hour to clear security, find seats, and get settled before the first pitch. On fireworks nights, add another 15 minutes to that buffer — those gates draw the largest arrivals.
How far in advance should I book a bus for a John Thurman Field game?
For most midweek games, two to four weeks of lead time is workable. For Opening Night, the July 3rd and 4th fireworks series, and Saturday games in June and July, book four to six weeks ahead. The Modesto area's vehicle supply is finite, and the right-size party bus for a Friday night game with post-game fireworks books faster than a Tuesday in the middle of the schedule.
The earlier you lock in your date, the better your vehicle options.
Request a Quote for Your John Thurman Field Group Trip
Getting a group to Modern Woodmen Field (John Thurman Field) is straightforward once you have one bus instead of eight cars. Modestopartybuscompany.com makes it easy to compare party buses, charter buses, and minibuses from a large network of bus companies serving Modesto and the entire Central Valley — in under a minute, online or by phone, no account required. Your bus handles the Highway 99 run, the Tuolumne Blvd. exit, and the Neece Drive approach for your whole group at once. When the final out is recorded, it's staged and ready for the ride home while everyone else is still finding their car.
Call 209-758-9890 any time to get estimates for your game-day trip, or use the online form for a quick pricing estimate. Also headed to the Stanislaus County Fair or a show at the Gallo Center for the Arts on the same Modesto visit? Those guides cover their own drop-off and parking logistics.
