TLDR: One bus from Aurora covers the full roundtrip to Empower Field at Mile High — pre-arranged drop near the gates, tailgate gear in the undercarriage bays, and a post-game pickup waiting when the final whistle blows while everyone else is still hunting for their car on I-25.
There is a particular misery to the game-day crawl west on I-225 from Aurora toward I-25 North that every Aurora Broncos fan knows on a cellular level. The merge backs up near Alameda, the I-25 northbound approach turns into a hard stop somewhere around 6th Avenue, and the lots closest to Empower Field at Mile High fill fastest from the north and west — meaning Aurora groups who arrive after noon on a Broncos Sunday often spend more time circling paid lots on West 17th Avenue than they did on the actual highway. Then comes the January walk from a distant lot in whatever the Front Range decides to serve up.
Renting a bus from Aurora to Empower Field at Mile High erases every one of those variables. One vehicle picks up your group in Aurora, drops everyone near the gates, holds tailgate gear in the undercarriage, and is staged nearby when the game ends. Below is the full picture: drop-off and pickup logistics, RTD light rail as an alternative, tailgate rules, vehicle options, example pricing, and every detail your group needs for a clean game day.
Why Rent a Bus from Aurora to Empower Field
Empower Field at Mile High (1701 Bryant St, Denver, CO 80204) sits roughly 17 miles west of central Aurora — a 25-to-35-minute run in normal traffic. On a Broncos home Sunday, the I-225 W to I-25 N corridor routinely pushes that to 60–90 minutes each way. A playoff game in January or a sold-out stadium concert during summer festival season can hold the I-25 South interchange at a crawl for 45 minutes after the event ends, before a car even reaches Federal Boulevard.
Pre-paid parking passes for Broncos games must be purchased in advance — none are sold at the gate on game day — and once the lot fills, your options narrow fast.
One bus from Aurora eliminates every moving part. No carpool logistics, no designated-driver calculation at the tailgate, no scramble for rideshares in a post-game surge. auroracopartybuscompany.com connects you to transportation providers serving the Aurora and Denver metro area so you compare vehicles and all-inclusive rates through a single quote — with one vehicle picking up the whole crew at one door.
Check out the Aurora sporting event transportation page to see the full picture, or read on for the Empower Field specifics.
Charter Bus Drop-Off and Pickup at Empower Field at Mile High
Empower Field at Mile High routes charter buses and oversized vehicles to designated bus parking areas in the lots north and west of the stadium. Buses do not park in general admission lots — they use a dedicated oversized-vehicle area with its own approach lane, and a bus parking pass must be pre-purchased. No passes are sold at the gate for Broncos games, and that rule applies equally to motor coaches and personal vehicles.
Because approach routes and lot assignments can shift by event and game time, the official Empower Field website is the authoritative source on current parking logistics for your specific date — worth checking before you depart.
From Aurora via I-225 W to I-25 N, buses approach from the south on I-25 and use the 17th Avenue or 20th Avenue exits depending on the lot and event. The stadium publishes event-specific traffic flow plans, including one-way outbound lanes after the game — details the bus absorbs on your behalf while your group stays on board recapping the first half. Post-game, the bus is staged nearby.
Pickup time is agreed to in advance, so there is no rideshare wait and no parking-lot scavenger hunt after the final whistle.
RTD Light Rail from Aurora to the Stadium
RTD light rail serves Empower Field at Mile High directly at the Mile High Stadium station, steps from the stadium's west-side gates, via the C, E, and W lines. From Aurora, the R Line runs from Aurora Metro Center station to Union Station in downtown Denver; the C or E Line continues from Union Station to the Mile High Stadium station. Total trip time from Aurora Metro Center: roughly 45–70 minutes depending on connections and schedule.
RTD is a solid option for small groups without tailgate gear — but for a fan group hauling tailgate gear, folding chairs, and 25 people who all want to arrive together, a private bus is the cleaner call. Everyone boards at one door in Aurora, arrives at one entrance at the stadium, and leaves on the same schedule. No seat scramble, no split groups across separate train cars, and no waiting on a packed platform in January alongside 76,000 other fans trying to do the same thing.
Every Way to Get from Aurora to Empower Field
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Door-to-door? | Tailgating? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private bus or charter bus | One rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — drops near gates | Yes — the whole group tailgates together | Groups of 15–56+ |
| RTD Light Rail (R + C/E Lines) | ~$3–$6 per person each way | Only if same train | Good — station at west-side gates | No — no gear on trains | 1–4 people, no gear |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Per car + post-game surge | No — multiple ETAs | Curbside near stadium | Yes, but fragmented | 1–4 per car |
| Everyone drives | Pre-paid pass per car + gas | No | Depends on lot | No — everyone needs a designated driver | 1–2 cars only |
For one or two people without tailgate gear, the R Line transfer to the C or E is hard to beat on price. Once your group grows past a couple of cars' worth of people — especially with tailgate gear and chairs — the per-person math on a private bus typically beats coordinated rideshares plus a pre-paid parking pass per vehicle. That is the group the rest of this guide is written for.
Which Vehicle Fits Your Aurora Group?
auroracopartybuscompany.com connects you to a range of vehicle types, so you compare options sized to your exact headcount. Here is how the lineup breaks down for an Empower Field game-day or concert run.
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Mid-size groups, efficient highway run on I-225/I-25 | Powerful A/C, reclining seats, overhead storage |
| 25-passenger party bus | ~25 | Fan groups wanting the rolling tailgate on the way in | Built-in bar, LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs |
| 40-passenger party bus | ~40 | Larger fan groups, corporate suite outings | Full-length bar, premium sound, wraparound seating |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large groups, gear-heavy tailgates, multi-stop runs | Deep undercarriage bays, onboard restroom, WiFi, power outlets, reclining seats |
For tailgate-gear-heavy trips — grills, folding tables, and more — a full-size charter bus gives you the deep undercarriage bays to haul everything without a separate cargo vehicle. For the fan group that wants the on-board experience from the first block out of Aurora, party buses in the 25- to 50-passenger range carry a built-in bar and premium sound so game-day energy builds on the highway, not in the parking lot. Browse Aurora party bus prices for the full rate context, or call 720-403-9882 to compare options for your headcount.
What Pricing Looks Like: A Planning Example
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total trip hours — including tailgate staging, game duration, and a post-game buffer — the event date, and the Aurora pickup location. As an example price range only, not a quote or current market data: a 15–35 passenger minibus runs roughly $150–$300/hour; a 25–40 passenger party bus runs $200–$450/hour; and a 40–56 passenger charter bus runs $150–$300/hour or $1,200–$2,500/day. A typical Broncos game-day booking from Aurora covers 6–8 hours — pickup two to three hours before kickoff, tailgate staging, game time, and a post-game buffer for the I-25 outbound flow.
Split across 40–56 passengers, the per-head number on a single charter bus often comes in below what the group would collectively spend on pre-paid parking passes and rideshare fares. The bus parking pass for oversized vehicles at the stadium is a separate pre-purchased cost; factor it in when comparing against individual per-car parking. Call 720-403-9882 any time for a free, no-obligation quote specific to your date and group size.
Getting There from Aurora: Routes and Drive Times
The standard route from Aurora is I-225 W to I-25 N, with the 17th Avenue or 20th Avenue exits depending on the lot assignment for your event. Off-peak drive time from central Aurora is 25–35 minutes. On a Broncos game day, build in 60–90 minutes each way — and for a prime-time kickoff or a sold-out stadium concert, add more.
The I-25 South on-ramp from downtown Denver backs up badly in the outbound direction after games, making the post-game leg the more painful half.
| From Aurora… | Approx. distance | Off-peak drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Central Aurora / Havana St corridor | ~17 miles | 25–35 min |
| Aurora Metro Center (I-225 & Alameda) | ~15 miles | 25–30 min |
| Southeast Aurora / E-470 area | ~22 miles | 30–40 min |
| Southlands / Arapahoe Road area | ~24 miles | 35–45 min |
Tailgating at Empower Field at Mile High
The Broncos tailgate is one of the best in the NFL, and a charter bus anchors it practically — undercarriage bays hold grills, folding tables, and other gear, and the whole group arrives and leaves together. The stadium enforces real tailgate rules, so know them before you load up in Aurora:
- Gas and charcoal grills are permitted; open fires are not. Coals must be fully extinguished before your group heads to the gates.
- Alcohol is permitted for guests 21+ in designated parking areas, within reason. Kegs and setups that encourage excessive consumption are prohibited.
- One space, one setup. Tailgate within the space assigned to your vehicle — adjacent spaces cannot be reserved or blocked. Groups arriving on one bus want to coordinate their space setup before the lot fills.
- Lots open approximately three hours before kickoff for most Broncos games. Concert and event schedules vary.
- Clear-bag policy applies inside the stadium. Each guest may bring one clear bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″, or a one-gallon clear ziplock, plus a small clutch no larger than 4.5″ × 6.5″. Backpacks and non-clear bags are not permitted. Plan bag assignments before the gates open.
The gear advantage is real. A 56-seat charter bus replaces roughly 14 cars — meaning 14 separate pre-paid parking passes and 14 different vehicles trying to coordinate the same tailgate space. One bus, one pass, one parking area.
The gear rides in the undercarriage, and the ride home is already arranged.
Events at Empower Field in 2025–2026
The stadium calendar runs nearly year-round, which means Aurora group transportation requests for Empower Field come in across every season. The anchor is the Denver Broncos home schedule — eight regular-season home games running September through January, plus preseason dates in August. Stadium-scale concerts fill the spring and summer calendar with acts routinely selling 60,000–76,000 tickets per show, making summer concert nights a Front Range destination event in their own right.
For any of these dates, booking well ahead matters — for a Broncos playoff run overlapping with a stadium concert on a winter weekend, vehicle availability in the Aurora and Denver metro thins fast. Get started as soon as your group headcount is confirmed.
Covering other Denver venues on the same trip? auroracopartybuscompany.com also connects you to charter bus transportation to Ball Arena for Nuggets and Avalanche games and group rides to Coors Field for Rockies game days. And for the iconic open-air show experience, see the guide to Red Rocks Amphitheatre concert transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus drop off at Empower Field at Mile High?
Charter buses and motor coaches use designated oversized-vehicle parking areas north and west of the stadium, with drop-off near the main gate area. Buses follow a specific approach lane separate from general admission, and the exact gate routing for your event date is confirmed at booking. Always check the official Empower Field website before your visit to verify current traffic plans and lot assignments for your specific date.
Do buses need a separate parking pass at Empower Field?
Yes. A bus parking pass for oversized vehicles must be purchased in advance — no passes are sold at the gate for Broncos games, and that rule applies to charter buses the same as personal vehicles. The pass and lot assignment are secured as part of the booking process so there is no scramble at the entrance.
How long is the drive from Aurora to Empower Field on game day?
Budget 60–90 minutes from central Aurora on a Broncos home game day via I-225 W to I-25 N. Off-peak, the same run takes 25–35 minutes. For prime-time or playoff games, add buffer — the I-25 approach backs up well before kickoff. Most Aurora groups on a private bus plan to arrive two to three hours before kickoff for a full tailgate window, with the post-game pickup window agreed to in advance so the bus is ready when the group walks out.
Can RTD get a whole group to the stadium from Aurora?
Yes, with a transfer. The R Line from Aurora Metro Center reaches Union Station, where the C or E Line continues to the Mile High Stadium station at the stadium's west-side gates — about 45–70 minutes total. RTD is the right call for one or two people without gear.
For a larger group with tailgate equipment, a private minibus or charter bus keeps everyone on the same schedule, at the same door, with all the gear. No seat limits, no split groups, no carrying gear through a turnstile.
What size bus does an Aurora group need for a Broncos game?
Headcount and gear determine the fit. Groups of 15–35 often do well in a minibus; groups of 36–56 look at full-size charter buses with deep undercarriage storage for grills and tailgate gear. If the on-board tailgate experience is the goal — built-in bar, LED lighting, Bluetooth sound from the first mile out of Aurora — party buses in the 28- to 50-passenger range are the right pick.
Use the quote tool or call 720-403-9882 to compare options for your exact date.
Can a group rent a bus to Empower Field for a concert instead of a game?
Absolutely. Stadium concerts at Empower Field draw crowds on par with game days, with the same parking pre-purchase requirement and the same I-25 outbound backup after the encore. An Aurora concert bus rental covers the pickup, drop near the venue entrance, and post-show pickup on your schedule.
Request your date before the show sells out; vehicles and parking passes go early for major acts.
Request Your Empower Field at Mile High Bus from Aurora Today
Whether it is a Broncos season-ticket group, a corporate suite outing, a stadium concert, or a fan group that just wants to stop drawing straws for who drives home, auroracopartybuscompany.com connects you to transportation providers serving the Aurora and Denver metro area. Your group rides together on I-225 and I-25, the tailgate gear is in the undercarriage, the post-game pickup is already arranged, and nobody is hunting for a parking lot at 10:45 PM in January. Compare options for Aurora sporting event transportation, browse the full vehicle lineup, or check the FAQ page for common booking questions.
Groups coming from across the Front Range can also explore Denver party bus rental options for the west-metro side. Call 720-403-9882 any time for a free, no-obligation quote — when you are ready to get started on your Empower Field date, help is one call away.
