Southland Casino Hotel will only take a motorcoach group Monday through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. — and the property says it plainly on its own group page: no buses accepted after 2 p.m. That single rule changes how a Jonesboro group has to plan this trip. Everybody has to leave together, arrive inside that window, and stay put for a minimum of four hours once you're through the door.
A rented bus is built for exactly that kind of schedule — one pickup in Jonesboro, one drop at the casino, and nobody circling N. Ingram Boulevard trying to figure out where 25 personal cars are supposed to park.
Below is what actually happens on the ground at Southland Casino Hotel: where a bus drops your group, what the casino's own Bus Groups program requires before it will let a coach through, how the drive down from Jonesboro breaks down mile by mile, and what a bus runs for a group your size. Every fact here comes from Southland's own pages or a verified source, cited as you go. For groups organizing a bigger multi-stop trip, the Jonesboro group transportation services page covers the broader picture; this guide sticks to Southland.
Why Rent a Bus to Southland Casino Hotel?
A casino trip is one of the few outings where the whole point is that nobody has to drive home. Once your group is inside, everybody's free to have a drink at Chairman's Bar or the Sports Bar & Grill without one person nominated to stay sober for the ride back — a rented bus comes with a built-in designated transportation provider already covered, so that problem is solved before you leave Jonesboro. It also solves the more mundane headache: a caravan of eight or nine personal cars leaving Jonesboro at slightly different times, arriving at slightly different times, and someone inevitably missing the group's dinner reservation because they got turned around off I-55.
It matters more here than at most destinations because Southland enforces a real cutoff. If your group's cars trickle in over an hour and the last one rolls up at 2:05 p.m., that car is turned away under Southland's own Bus Groups policy, which states buses are not accepted after 2 p.m. One bus means one arrival time, and it's an arrival time you control.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Southland Casino Hotel
Southland Casino Hotel sits at 1550 N. Ingram Blvd., West Memphis, AR 72301, a single address confirmed on the property's own Get Directions page. The casino sits behind a 300-room, high-rise hotel tower, and several of Southland's own hotel package pages — including the Buffalo Bliss Getaway and the Stay & Dine package — list free valet parking as an included perk, confirmed on Southland's hotel specials and packages page. That valet stand at the hotel tower entrance is the natural drop point for a bus: your group steps off right where hotel guests already unload, instead of hiking in from a back lot.
What Southland's site does not publish is a dedicated motorcoach gate, lot letter, or curb number — there's no separate parking or transportation page laying that out. That's exactly why the property runs its own Group Events line at 1-888-252-9191: when your bus is booked through the Bus Groups program, Southland's coordinators confirm the exact unloading spot for your date rather than leaving it to guesswork at the curb. Anyone quoting you a specific gate number for Southland is guessing; the honest answer is that you confirm it directly with Southland's group desk once your manifest is in.
Where the Bus Waits During Your Visit
Because Southland requires a four-hour windows stay for every bus group, per the same Bus Groups policy, your vehicle isn't running errands or circling for parking while you're inside — it's parked for the whole window your group is on the gaming floor. That four-hour floor works in your favor: it means the bus doesn't need a separate staging plan the way a stadium or arena bus does. It sits, and it's back at the curb when your group is ready to head to Jonesboro.
The Southland Casino Hotel Bus Groups Program: What Your Group Needs
Southland runs a formal process for motorcoach groups, and it's worth reading closely before you set a date — missing one of these items is what gets a group turned away at the curb. Straight from Southland's own Bus Groups page:
20-person minimum, 4-hour windows stay, Monday–Thursday only, 8 a.m.–2 p.m., no buses accepted after 2 p.m. Those five numbers are the whole framework your visit has to fit inside.
Beyond the headcount and the clock, Southland asks for a valid photo ID for every passenger, and the bus line's insurance certificate has to list Southland Casino Hotel as certificate holder before your date is confirmed. The bigger paperwork item is the manifest: a typed list with every passenger's full legal first and last name (no nicknames), birthdate, and address, submitted at least 10 business days before your visit. Groups also have to be set up as a vendor through Southland's own accounting process.
None of this happens the day of — it's paperwork that has to clear ahead of time, so building in a two-week runway before your date is the difference between a smooth check-in and a group standing at the curb with an incomplete list.
In exchange, Southland's group package folds in $25 in free play per guest on the manifest, plus a food credit set aside for whoever's coordinating the trip. That's a real incentive on top of whatever your group already plans to spend, and it only applies to groups that come through the formal Bus Groups process — not to a handful of personal cars showing up on the same afternoon.
Getting from Jonesboro to Southland Casino Hotel
The drive down is more straightforward than most Jonesboro group trips, because there's really only one road. Interstate 555 runs 49.57 miles from Jonesboro south to Turrell, where it ends at an interchange with Interstate 55, according to the route's own Interstate 555 entry — the corridor was upgraded from US Route 63 and dedicated as a full interstate in 2016. From that Turrell interchange, I-55 continues south into West Memphis, where you'll exit for N. Ingram Boulevard and the casino.
All told, a Jonesboro pickup is looking at roughly 70 to 75 miles and somewhere in the neighborhood of an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and 30 minutes on the road, depending on where in Jonesboro you start and how I-55 traffic is running through West Memphis.
Crossing the River from Memphis
West Memphis sits at the point where Interstate 40 and Interstate 55 both meet the Mississippi River, and downtown Memphis, Tennessee is just 8 miles east of downtown West Memphis, per the city's own West Memphis, Arkansas overview. That makes Southland the closest full casino to Memphis, and it also means anyone in your group coming from the Memphis side crosses on either the Hernando de Soto Bridge (I-40) or the older Memphis-Arkansas Bridge (I-55) — both routinely busy, especially in the evening. If part of your group is meeting the bus after a stop in Memphis rather than starting in Jonesboro, building a little cushion into that bridge crossing is worth it.
For groups flying in rather than driving, Memphis International Airport sits about 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis, per the airport's own location details — which puts it roughly 15 miles, and about 20 to 25 minutes, from Southland once you add the river crossing. A bus can gather a flying-in group at the terminal curb and run them straight to West Memphis instead of splitting everyone across rideshares that don't always want to make an out-of-state run.
Charter Bus & Minibus Sizes for a Southland Casino Hotel Group
Southland's own program sets the floor at 20 passengers to even qualify as a bus group, so the vehicle question usually starts there. A group right at that minimum fits comfortably on an 25-passenger minibus, which leaves room to add a few more riders without stepping up a size class. Groups pushing past 30 or 35 — a church social club, a company outing, a birthday crowd — are better matched to a 35-passenger minibus or a full-size Jonesboro charter bus rental, which adds underfloor storage for coolers, overnight bags, and anything your group is bringing for a longer stay at the hotel tower.
For a smaller group that doesn't hit Southland's 20-person minimum on its own but still wants the group perks by combining with another table of friends, a Jonesboro Sprinter van rental can round a group up to the threshold without paying for a bigger bus than you need. And for a bachelorette weekend or milestone birthday treating the casino as one stop on a longer night, a Jonesboro party bus rental keeps the celebration going on the ride down and the ride home. The full vehicle lineup covers everything in between.
Southland Casino Hotel Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices
What a bus to Southland runs depends on a few clear factors: the size of the vehicle, how many hours you need it booked (remember, Southland requires a four-hour windows once you're inside, plus the drive time both ways), the date, and how far your Jonesboro pickup point is from I-555. Comparing quotes for a Jonesboro bus rental price takes about a minute through the online tool or a call to 870-641-7970.
To give you an idea: a 26-person group booking a 30-passenger minibus for a full Southland day might run something like this. Pickup at 8:00 a.m. from Jonesboro, arrival at the Southland valet by roughly 9:20 a.m. — well inside the 8-to-2 window. The group covers the four-hour windows and then some, departing West Memphis around 1:30 p.m., back in Jonesboro by roughly 2:50 p.m.
A rental of that length, roughly 7 hours door to door, might land somewhere around $1,400 to $1,700 — call it $55 to $65 a person split across 26 riders. Actual pricing moves with your date, your vehicle, and your hours, so the fastest way to get a number for your group is to fill out the quick form or call 870-641-7970.
Southland Casino Hotel Bus Trip vs. Driving Separately
A rented bus isn't automatically the right call for two people meeting friends for lunch. Here's an honest look at how the options stack up for a Southland run.
| Option | Cost shape | Meets the 8–2 window together? | Everyone can have a drink? | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or minibus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival time | Yes — the ride home is already covered | 20–56 (matches Southland's group minimum) |
| Personal cars, driving separately | Gas plus wear per car | Only if everyone leaves on the same clock — hard to enforce | No — every car needs someone sober for the drive back | 1–4 per car |
| Rideshare from Memphis | Per trip, cross-state, plus surge on the return | No — separate pickups, separate ETAs | Yes, but pricier and unreliable for a late-night return pickup out of state | 1–3 per car |
For a pair of friends stopping in on their way through Memphis, driving separately or grabbing a rideshare across the bridge is often simpler and cheaper — there's no reason to book a bus for two people. But the moment your group is organizing around Southland's own 20-person minimum for the group perks, the coordination math flips: separate cars mean separate arrival times against a hard 2 p.m. cutoff, and that's a real risk with a real consequence.
ID, Age & Entry Rules for Your Southland Casino Hotel Visit
Every single guest needs a valid, government-issued photo ID to enter Southland's casino floor at all, and the property is direct about the age line: guests must be age 21 or older to play, per Southland's own responsible gaming page, which states the property checks ID at the door specifically to keep anyone under 21 out of the building. That 21-and-over line carries over to the hotel tower as well — Southland's hotel policies page confirms guests must be at least 21 to check in and stay overnight, with check-in at 4 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m. for any group extending the trip into an overnight stay.
For a group trip, this means confirming every rider's ID situation before the bus ever leaves Jonesboro — not after you're 75 miles down I-55. Pair that with Southland's own manifest requirement (full legal names, birthdates, and addresses for every passenger, submitted 10 business days out) and you effectively have your group's ID check done twice before anyone reaches the valet stand.
What's Happening at Southland Casino Hotel
Southland runs a full weekly entertainment calendar that lines up naturally with the Bus Groups program's Monday-through-Thursday window. Monday brings karaoke with a shot at food credit; Tuesday is trivia night at the Sports Bar & Grill; Wednesday's Lucky Legends drawing pays out free play to Ember Rewards members; and Thursday's promotion earns drink credits through the day — all detailed on Southland's own promotions and events page. A Wednesday or Thursday bus trip lets your group catch one of those weekly drawings on top of whatever else is on the calendar.
Southland is also running its Legacy of Luck promotion through September 7, 2026, with weekly finalist drawings on Fridays and Saturdays and a grand finale on September 7 where 70 winners split more than $40,000 in free play or a shot at a 1956 Bel Air, per the same promotions page. Because Southland's group program only runs weekdays, a bus group won't land on that specific Friday or Saturday drawing, but it's worth checking the promotions page for whatever's current before you lock in a date.
Booking a Bus to Southland Casino Hotel
Getting a bus lined up for Southland comes down to two tracks running at the same time: your vehicle, and Southland's own paperwork.
- Request a quote with your group size, Jonesboro pickup point, date, and how many hours you'll need — remember Southland's four-hour windows once you're inside.
- Start Southland's Bus Groups paperwork early. Call Southland's group desk at 1-888-252-9191, and get the manifest, ID list, and insurance certificate moving at least 10 business days before your date — that clock is the one most groups underestimate.
- Confirm your pickup and return time. Set a departure window that lands your bus at Southland before 2 p.m. and covers the four-hour windows, so the bus is simply waiting when your group is ready to head back to Jonesboro.
A quick call to 870-641-7970 or a couple minutes with the online quote tool gets you vehicle options and pricing for your date — no account needed, and comparing options is free either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a bus drop off at Southland Casino Hotel?
Southland doesn't publish a dedicated motorcoach gate or lot letter, but several of its hotel packages include free valet parking at the hotel tower entrance, confirmed on Southland's specials and packages page. Because Southland coordinates group visits directly, the exact unloading spot for your date is confirmed with Southland's own Group Events desk once your booking and manifest are in.
What are the requirements to bring a bus group to Southland Casino Hotel?
Per Southland's own Bus Groups page: a 20-passenger minimum, a 4-hour windows stay, visits only Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. (no buses accepted after 2 p.m.), a valid photo ID for every passenger, bus line insurance naming Southland as certificate holder, and a typed manifest with full legal names, birthdates, and addresses submitted at least 10 business days before your visit.
What does the Southland Bus Groups program include?
Southland's group package includes $25 in free play for every guest on the manifest, plus a food credit set aside for the trip's coordinator, per the property's own Bus Groups page.
How far is Southland Casino Hotel from Jonesboro?
Roughly 70 to 75 miles, mostly on Interstate 555 south to Turrell (49.57 miles, per the route's Interstate 555 entry) and then Interstate 55 into West Memphis. Figure an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and 30 minutes of drive time depending on your starting point in Jonesboro.
Is there a minimum age to enter Southland Casino Hotel?
Yes. Guests must be 21 or older to play on the casino floor, per Southland's responsible gaming page, and the same 21-and-over line applies to checking into the hotel tower, per Southland's hotel policies page. Every guest needs a valid photo ID.
Does Southland Casino Hotel charge for parking?
Southland's own site doesn't publish a self-parking cost or a dedicated parking page, but multiple hotel package listings include free valet parking as an included perk.
What days and hours can a bus group visit Southland Casino Hotel?
Monday through Thursday only, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., with no buses accepted after 2 p.m. and a required four-hour windows stay once your group arrives, per Southland's Bus Groups policy.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to Southland Casino Hotel?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours booked, your date, and your Jonesboro pickup point. You can compare vehicle options and pricing in about a minute through the online quote tool or by calling 870-641-7970.
How far in advance should we book?
Line up your vehicle as soon as your date is set, but treat Southland's own paperwork as the real deadline — the manifest, ID list, and insurance certificate all need to reach Southland's group desk at least 10 business days before your visit, so building in two to three weeks total gives both tracks room to clear.
Can the bus wait for us while we're at the casino?
Yes. Because Southland requires a four-hour windows stay for every bus group, your vehicle is booked for that full window rather than running a separate staging plan — it's parked and ready when your group is done.
What's the closest airport to Southland Casino Hotel?
Memphis International Airport, about 7 miles southeast of downtown Memphis per the airport's own location details, which puts it roughly 15 miles from Southland once you cross the Mississippi River into West Memphis.
Also planning a trip to First National Bank Arena or Centennial Bank Stadium? Those guides cover their own drop-offs.
Book Your Southland Casino Hotel Bus Today
Between Southland's own 8-to-2 cutoff, the four-hour windows, and a manifest that has to clear 10 business days out, this is a trip that rewards planning ahead — and a rented bus is what keeps your whole Jonesboro group inside every one of those windows without a single car left behind on I-55. Whether it's a 26-person church social club, an office outing, or a birthday crowd headed to the hotel tower for the night, comparing vehicles and pricing takes about a minute. Fill out the quick form or call 870-641-7970 and Jonesborominibuscompany.com can show you what fits your group.
