For 118 years, the Preakness Stakes belonged to Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. In 2026, the $400 million renovation that closed Pimlico sent the race 22 miles south to Laurel Park — and for one historic Saturday, Race Track Road in Anne Arundel County carried the Triple Crown. It also carried every car, every rideshare, and every charter bus trying to reach the same capped-attendance venue through the same single access road.
That detail — one road in, one road out — is what made group transportation to Laurel Park the smartest decision a planner could make for the 151st Preakness Stakes.
The venue capped attendance at 4,800 tickets per day for both Black-Eyed Susan Stakes day (Friday, May 15) and Preakness day (Saturday, May 16), and on-site parking passes were pre-sold for $221 per vehicle with nothing available day-of. For a 20-person group taking five cars, that's $1,105 in parking before anyone places a bet or buys a program — and every one of those five cars still joins the same single-lane queue on Race Track Road. One party bus or charter bus rental to Laurel Park covers your entire group for one parking arrangement, one coordinated arrival, and one prearranged pickup when the races end.
Below is everything a group planner needs to know about how it actually works, sourced from official advisories and the racetrack's own published information.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Laurel Park
The case for a Laurel Park charter bus comes down to two hard facts: the access road and the parking cost. Race Track Road is the only road connecting the venue to the broader road network — every vehicle arriving at Laurel Park uses it, and every vehicle leaving uses it again. Anne Arundel County police stationed officers at MD-198, Whiskey Bottom Road, and Brock Bridge Road for race weekend, anticipating heavier-than-normal traffic even with the scaled-down Preakness crowd, per the official Anne Arundel County traffic advisory.
A 56-passenger charter bus replaces roughly 14 personal vehicles on that road, meaning 14 fewer cars on Race Track Road, 14 fewer parking passes at $221 each, and 14 fewer logistical headaches when the group tries to reassemble in the same bottleneck heading home.
Groups from Baltimore (roughly 22 miles north via MD-295 S) and from Washington, DC (roughly 20 miles south via the Baltimore-Washington Parkway) are both in comfortable charter bus range — 30 to 40 minutes either direction in normal traffic. That put a huge swath of the region within one coordinated pickup instead of a multi-car caravan. Whether your group was coming from the Inner Harbor, Capitol Hill, the BWI corridor, or Northern Virginia, one Baltimore party bus rental covered everyone in one run.
See the Baltimore group transportation services page if your race-day itinerary includes more than one stop.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at Laurel Park
Every vehicle arriving at Laurel Park approaches through Race Track Road, which runs off MD-198 (Laurel Fort Meade Road) in Anne Arundel County near the intersection with the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. On race days, the venue has a designated area for passenger drop-off and rideshare pickup. Officers are posted along MD-198, Whiskey Bottom Road, and Brock Bridge Road during race events to manage the flow onto and off Race Track Road — because when 4,800 people arrive on a single access lane, even modest traffic creates a queue that extends onto the main road quickly.
A charter bus drops your group at the passenger entry area, then stages nearby with a prearranged return window — so there's no scrambling for rideshares in the same congested lot after the stakes race concludes. For Preakness 2026, post-race rideshare demand at the designated pickup area spiked the moment the last race finished, which is exactly the moment every other group was trying to leave on the same road. One bus, one pickup time, one exit from the property — while everyone who drove or Ubered queued in the same lane again.
Race Track Road is the only road into Laurel Park. Every arrival and every departure uses the same single lane. A charter bus moves your entire group through that bottleneck once each way — instead of five or ten times in separate cars that each need a $221 parking pass on the other side.
Parking at Laurel Park for Race Day
On regular race days at Laurel Park, general self-serve parking has traditionally been free. The 2026 Preakness changed that. Parking passes were pre-sold for $221 per vehicle with nothing available at the gate on race day — and the venue's limited on-site capacity meant supply was genuinely constrained.
Groups that didn't purchase in advance risked arriving at Laurel Park with nowhere to put their cars. The Vivid Seats third-party listings for Preakness 2026 parking showed passes at that $221 range, a real premium for a venue that ordinarily charges nothing to park.
The arithmetic shifts fast once you add up a caravan. Five cars at $221 is $1,105 in parking — for a 20-person group, that's $55.25 per person before a single dollar of gas or tolls. A 40-56 passenger charter bus for that same group carries everyone for one flat arrangement with no per-car stacking.
For groups of 30 or more, the per-person bus cost often undercuts the per-person parking cost for a multi-car convoy before the rental rate even enters the math. Review the Baltimore party bus prices page for planning ranges, or call 571-444-5978 for a free quote on your specific group size and date.
A 20-person group in five cars paid $1,105 in parking passes alone at the 2026 Preakness — and still each car waited in the same single-lane queue on Race Track Road to get in. One charter bus covers the whole group for one predictable cost, no per-car stacking, no designated driver, and one staged pickup when the races end.
Laurel Park Transportation Options Compared
Laurel Park offers fewer options than an urban venue like a downtown arena, and the Preakness weekend amplified that. Here is an honest look at what groups actually had available, and how each stacked up on the factors that matter most for a race-day outing.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Access | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — drops at venue entry, stages for return | 15–56 |
| MARC Camden Line + race shuttle | $50 weekend pass per person (Preakness 2026) | Only if booked on same train | Good — Laurel Race Track station, then shuttle to park | Any, but no control over group timing |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-race surge | No — multiple cars, fragmented ETAs | Fair — designated drop/pickup area at venue | 1–4 per car |
| Driving and parking | $221 per vehicle pre-purchased (Preakness 2026) | No — caravan splits on Race Track Road | Fair — single access road, one lot | 1–2 cars practical maximum |
For one or two people, the MARC pass or a single rideshare is perfectly reasonable — there is no case for a charter bus for a pair. But once your group reaches five cars' worth of people, the parking cost alone tips toward one bus, and the coordination overhead of keeping a caravan together on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Race Track Road tilts even further. That is the group the rest of this guide is written for.
Rent a Charter Bus to Laurel Park from Baltimore
Baltimore sits roughly 22 miles north of Laurel Park via MD-295 S (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) — about 30 to 35 minutes off-peak. The route runs south on MD-295 from Baltimore, exits onto MD-198 W (Laurel Fort Meade Road), and follows MD-198 west to Race Track Road and the venue entrance. An alternate path takes I-95 S from the Baltimore Beltway to the Laurel exits before connecting to MD-198, which runs slightly longer in distance but can be more familiar to groups coming from the eastern Baltimore suburbs.
Either way, the final stretch is identical: MD-198 to Race Track Road.
On race day, traffic builds predictably along the MD-198 corridor between US Route 1 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, which is exactly the segment police were monitoring for the Preakness weekend. A charter bus from Baltimore handles that timing as part of the booking — the group agrees on a departure time, the bus manages the approach, and everyone arrives together without anyone in the caravan getting separated before the first race. Partybusinbaltimore.net connects groups from Baltimore, Towson, the BWI area, and Annapolis to a large network of bus companies serving the region. Call 571-444-5978 or fill out the quick online form to compare vehicles and rates in under a minute.
Washington DC to Laurel Park Party Bus and Charter Bus Rental
For DC-based groups, Laurel Park is a simpler drive than Pimlico ever was. The venue sits roughly 20 miles north of Washington via MD-295 N (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) — about 27 to 35 minutes off-peak. The route runs north on MD-295, takes the MD-198 W exit at Laurel, and connects to Race Track Road.
No navigating into North Baltimore, no Park Heights streets, no late-night return through a dense urban neighborhood — just a clean Parkway run to a suburban racetrack and back. For the Preakness 2026, many DC-area groups discovered for the first time that Laurel Park sits almost exactly equidistant between DC and Baltimore, making it genuinely easy from either side.
For DC groups of 15 to 30, a minibus rental is a strong fit for the Parkway run — maneuverable, comfortable, and no excess capacity to pay for. For larger outings of 40 or more, a full-size charter bus provides undercarriage storage for tailgate gear and an onboard restroom for the return ride. Partybusinbaltimore.net connects groups from Washington, Northern Virginia, and the suburbs to bus options for Laurel Park the same way it does from Baltimore — fill out one quick form or call 571-444-5978 to compare vehicles and pricing any time, any day.
Getting to Laurel Park: Distances and Drive Times
Laurel Park sits at the geographic midpoint of the Baltimore-Washington corridor, which is part of what made it a logical temporary home for the Preakness — it drew from both metro areas simultaneously. Here are approximate distances and drive times from common group pickup points under normal traffic conditions.
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical drive time (off-peak) | Best route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Baltimore / Inner Harbor | ~22 miles | 30–35 min | MD-295 S to MD-198 W |
| BWI Airport area | ~15 miles | 20–25 min | MD-295 S to MD-198 W |
| Washington, DC (Union Station area) | ~20 miles | 27–35 min | MD-295 N to MD-198 W |
| Towson / North Baltimore suburbs | ~28 miles | 35–45 min | I-695 W to MD-295 S |
| Annapolis | ~22 miles | 30–35 min | US-50 W to MD-295 N or MD-198 E |
Those times balloon on race days. Anne Arundel County police specifically flagged US Route 1, MD-198 near Laurel Fort Meade Road, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway as corridors with heavier-than-normal traffic for the Preakness weekend. Building in an extra 20 to 30 minutes from any of these origins on a race day is the right call.
A charter bus handles that buffer as part of the trip plan, so you are not watching the departure time and making the caravan-or-rideshare calculation yourself an hour before the first post.
What Size Charter Bus Does Your Laurel Park Group Need?
The right vehicle depends on two things: how many people are in your group and whether you are hauling any gear — coolers, folding chairs, race-day supplies that need to ride in storage. Partybusinbaltimore.net connects you to the full vehicle lineup across the Baltimore-Washington area, from Sprinter vans for small groups to full-size motorcoaches for large outings. Here is how the options break down for a Laurel Park run.
| Vehicle | Seats | Gear storage | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Light — personal bags | Small VIP groups, suite holders, close friends | Premium leather, tinted windows, USB charging |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | ~15–50 | On-board, lighter load | Social groups wanting a celebration atmosphere on the ride out | Built-in bar area, color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Overhead bins | Mid-size groups, clean suburban runs, DC-origin trips | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, greater maneuverability on Race Track Road |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, corporate outings, multi-pickup routes | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage bays |
For most Laurel Park race groups, the 25-passenger party bus or a mid-size minibus hits the practical sweet spot: enough room for a social outing, easy to maneuver on Race Track Road, and no paying for empty seats. For a large corporate hospitality group or a multi-city fan outing with tailgate equipment, the full-size charter bus gives you deep undercarriage storage and the onboard restroom that makes a 2-hour return ride comfortable. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — just note your needs in the quote request so the right vehicle can be matched to your group.
Laurel Park Charter Bus and Party Bus Rental Prices
Partybusinbaltimore.net shows bus pricing in under 30 seconds — no account required, no waiting on callbacks. The rate depends on a few clear variables: the vehicle type and capacity your group needs, the total number of hours (including setup time before racing and the return ride), your pickup location, and the date. To give you an idea of how the numbers work out for a Laurel Park run:
A 20-person group renting a 20-passenger party bus for a Saturday Preakness outing — pickup from Baltimore around 10 a.m., drop at Laurel Park by 11, staging through the afternoon card, and a return run after the Preakness — might plan for a 7-to-8-hour rental. At the planning ranges for a 20-passenger party bus (typically $275–$350 per hour on weekends), a full-day outing like that could run roughly $1,925–$2,800 for the vehicle. Split across 20 people, that pencils out to roughly $96–$140 per person — compared to $221 just for a single parking pass in a 5-car caravan, before anyone counts gas or tolls.
The exact quote for your date and group size moves with demand and availability. The fastest way to see your actual number is to call 571-444-5978 or use the online tool. Check the Baltimore party bus prices page for a fuller look at how rental pricing is shaped.
MARC Train Service to Laurel Race Track Station
The Laurel Race Track station sits directly adjacent to the racetrack on Race Track Road and is served by the MARC Camden Line — the commuter rail corridor running between Baltimore Camden Station and Washington Union Station. The station was originally built in 1911 specifically to serve the racetrack and remains the closest rail access to the venue. During the 2026 Preakness weekend, the station was activated in both directions with special weekend service, offering groups from both ends of the corridor a rail-based option.
The MTA Maryland provided a $50 weekend transportation pass covering roundtrip Camden Line service plus a complimentary shuttle from the station to Laurel Park's entry on Friday (Black-Eyed Susan day) and Saturday (Preakness day). Free parking was available at Dorsey MARC Station on both days and at Greenbelt Metro Station on Saturday, giving park-and-ride groups a way around the $221 on-site parking cost entirely.
Outside of special race events, Laurel Race Track station operates as a flag stop on the Camden Line with very limited regular service — just a handful of afternoon Washington-bound trains, and only if passengers request a stop. The station has approximately 300 parking spaces and two platforms, though it is not wheelchair-accessible. For groups attending a future Maryland horse racing event at any venue, check the MTA Maryland MARC Train schedule for current Camden Line service well before your date — event-specific passes and shuttle arrangements sold out quickly in 2026.
For a large group where keeping everyone together and on your own timeline is the priority, a direct charter bus beats the train-plus-shuttle combination handily: one pickup at your door, one drop at the venue, no schedule to match and no transfer to navigate.
The 2026 Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park
The 151st Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 16, 2026 was the first running of the race outside of Pimlico Race Course since 1890 — a 118-year streak ended by the ongoing $400 million renovation of the historic Park Heights venue. Laurel Park stepped in as the one-time host, with the Preakness expected to return to a rebuilt Pimlico for the 2027 running and beyond. The move was dramatic in scale: a typical Preakness at Pimlico draws upward of 140,000 fans including the full Infield festival experience.
Laurel Park's 2026 running was a far more intimate affair, capped at 4,800 ticket holders per day, with the Maryland Stadium Authority simultaneously moving to acquire the property for $48.5 million for conversion into a statewide thoroughbred training center.
For group planners, the smaller crowd was both an advantage and a constraint. No road closures, lighter overall traffic than a Pimlico Preakness, and a venue that feels more like a working racetrack than a festival grounds — but the single access road and pre-sold parking created a bottleneck that a charter bus was purpose-built to skip. The groups that rented buses for the 2026 Preakness arrived together, bypassed the Race Track Road queue in one pass, and had a staged return arranged before they ever reached the grandstand.
The groups that drove five separate cars paid $1,105 in combined parking, navigated the same single road five times, and did it all again in reverse after the last race. The access-road math does not change based on attendance — it is just as relevant at 4,800 people as it would be at 40,000.
Tips for Race-Day Groups at Laurel Park
- Pre-purchase parking if you are driving. For the 2026 Preakness, on-site passes were $221 per vehicle and nothing was sold day-of. On regular race days, Laurel Park's general parking has been free — but for any signature event at any Maryland venue, check the official ticketing page well in advance. Supply is always limited when the venue has one lot.
- The only way in is Race Track Road off MD-198. From Baltimore, that means MD-295 S to MD-198 W. From Washington, MD-295 N to MD-198 W. There is no alternate entrance, no back road, and no shortcut that avoids Race Track Road itself. Plan your approach accordingly and build extra time on race days.
- Set a pickup window before the races start. Post-race, the access road gets congested in both directions at the same time. If you are on a bus, agree on a staging location and pickup time before your group disperses into the grandstand — so the bus is right there after the Preakness, not somewhere on Race Track Road trying to reach you.
- Book your bus early for any marquee event. Charter bus availability tightened quickly for Preakness 2026 as the date approached, with demand arriving from both the Baltimore and DC markets simultaneously. Lock in your vehicle as soon as your headcount is confirmed for any major race event in the region.
- Check MARC and shuttle availability for future events. The Camden Line's special bidirectional service and the $50 weekend pass for the Preakness 2026 were event-specific arrangements. For any future Maryland horse racing event, confirm current rail options on the MTA Maryland MARC Train page before counting on that option for your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Laurel Park?
Charter buses and party buses access Laurel Park via Race Track Road off MD-198 — the venue's only access road. Drop-off is at the passenger entry area at the front of the property, with the bus staging nearby or coordinating a prearranged pickup window for after the races. Because Race Track Road is the sole route in and out, setting your drop-off and pickup times in advance is especially important.
The venue has a designated area for rideshare drop-off and pickup as well, but a charter bus gives you control over timing that a rideshare pickup cannot match post-race.
How much does parking cost at Laurel Park?
On regular race days, general self-serve parking at Laurel Park has traditionally been free. For the 2026 Preakness Stakes, on-site parking passes were pre-sold at $221 per vehicle, with no day-of options available. Parking availability and pricing for any future events at Laurel Park or other Maryland venues should be confirmed on the event's official ticketing page well in advance of race day.
How far is Laurel Park from Baltimore?
Laurel Park is approximately 22 miles south of downtown Baltimore — about 30 to 35 minutes via MD-295 S (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) to the MD-198 W exit, followed by Race Track Road to the venue entrance. From the BWI Airport area, the drive is closer to 15 miles and 20 to 25 minutes. A Baltimore charter bus rental to Laurel Park moves the whole group in one run instead of a caravan on the Parkway.
How far is Laurel Park from Washington, DC?
Approximately 20 miles north of Washington via MD-295 N (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) to MD-198 W — roughly 27 to 35 minutes off-peak. For DC-area groups, Laurel Park sits closer and requires less urban navigation than the traditional Pimlico route. A party bus or charter bus from the District handles the Parkway run in one coordinated trip.
What MARC train line serves Laurel Race Track station?
The MARC Camden Line serves Laurel Race Track station, connecting to Baltimore Camden Station and Washington Union Station. Outside of special race events, the station operates as a flag stop with very limited regular service. For the Preakness 2026, MTA Maryland ran special bidirectional weekend service with a $50 round-trip pass and a complimentary shuttle from the station to Laurel Park.
For future event service, check the current Camden Line schedule on the MTA Maryland MARC Train page before your date.
Is the Preakness returning to Pimlico?
Yes. The Preakness Stakes is planned to return to a renovated Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore from 2027 onward, following the $400 million redevelopment of the Park Heights venue. The 2026 running at Laurel Park was a one-time relocation during construction.
For Baltimore sporting event transportation — including future Preakness weekends at Pimlico — see the Baltimore sporting event party bus rental page.
Was 2026 the last live racing at Laurel Park?
Live racing at Laurel Park effectively concluded with the 2026 Preakness Stakes weekend. The Maryland Stadium Authority acquired the property to redevelop it as a statewide thoroughbred training facility, and racing operations for Maryland thoroughbreds are consolidating at a rebuilt Pimlico Race Course going forward. The 2026 live racing season ran through the Winter Meet (January 9 through March 29) and the Preakness weekend in May — after which Laurel Park transitioned to training operations.
How do I rent a party bus for a group horse racing outing in Baltimore?
Partybusinbaltimore.net makes it easy to compare party buses, minibuses, and charter buses across the Baltimore-Washington area with no account required. Fill out one quick online form with your group size, pickup location, and date, and you can compare vehicles and rates from a large network of bus companies serving the region in under a minute. Or call 571-444-5978 any time — a support team is available every day of the year to answer questions and help you find the right vehicle for your race-day outing.
How early should we book a charter bus for a Maryland horse racing event?
As early as your headcount is confirmed. For the 2026 Preakness, demand from both Baltimore and DC markets made availability competitive as the date approached. For any marquee race event in the region, the right-size vehicles go first.
For regular race days outside signature events, two to three weeks of lead time is typically workable — but earlier always means more options and better pricing. Call 571-444-5978 to check availability for your date.
Book Your Laurel Park Charter Bus or Party Bus Today
One road, one lot, and $221 to park a single car — that is the math that made a charter bus the smartest call for the 2026 Preakness at Laurel Park. Your group rides together, avoids the Race Track Road queue in one pass, and has a staged return pickup arranged before anyone sets foot in the grandstand. Partybusinbaltimore.net connects groups from Baltimore, Washington, and everywhere in between to party buses, minibuses, and full-size charter buses through a large network of bus companies serving the region. Comparing vehicles and rates takes under a minute online or by phone — no account required, free quote, no obligation.
Call 571-444-5978 any time to get started. Also planning a trip to another Baltimore venue this season? The guides for M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards cover their own drop-off and parking setups in the same detail.
