Cheap bus tickets from Washington DC to Chicago, IL
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Bus from Washington DC to Chicago, IL: Journey Information
There are 19 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Chicago, IL. Travelling by bus from Washington DC to Chicago, IL usually takes around 1 day and 37 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 17 hours and 10 minutes.
- Distance
- 594 mi (955 km)
- Shortest duration
- 17h 10m
- Cheapest price
- CHF 55.94
- Trips per day
- 19
- Most frequent service
- Greyhound
- Bus lines
- 2
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Washington DC to Chicago, IL Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Washington DC to Chicago, IL?
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Chicago, IL.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceCHF 118.52Cheaper | Avg. PriceCHF 228.20 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips19 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration24h 37m | Duration23hFaster |

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Washington DC to Chicago, IL (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.0
There are several bus options that can take you from Washington DC to Chicago, IL:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Washington DC to Chicago, IL?
Bus tickets for a trip from Washington DC to Chicago, IL cost about CHF 97 when you book at the cheapest time, 24 days ahead. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Chicago, IL. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Washington DC to Chicago, IL by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Washington DC to Chicago, IL in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from CHF 71 to CHF 162. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 2, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago, IL this week, bus tickets are available starting at CHF 79.
Average bus ticket prices from Washington DC to Chicago, IL by month
Taking the bus from Washington DC to Chicago, IL is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only CHF 92. If you're planning to take the bus from Washington DC to Chicago, IL during June, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 109. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 24 days in advance. This way, you can save up to CHF 48.69 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Washington DC to Chicago, IL?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Washington DC to Chicago, IL that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 14 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 5 | 23h 36m | CHF 126.49 |
| Greyhound | 14 | 25h 14m | CHF 113.59 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 5 trips per day from Washington DC to Chicago, IL, and the average ticket for this route costs only CHF 126.49.






Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 14 bus trips from Washington DC to Chicago, IL every day, with the average journey taking around 1 day, 1 hour and 14 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago, IL usually start from CHF 55.94.






Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Washington DC to Chicago, IL
There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Chicago, IL every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Washington DC to Chicago, IL; ticket prices start at CHF 64.
Trips per day
19
Direct trips
3
The bus takes an average of 1 day and 37 minutes to cover the 955 kilometres from Washington DC to Chicago, IL. However, the fastest bus only takes 17 hours and 10 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Distance (mi)
594
Distance (km)
955
The first bus leaves at 1:50 a.m. and the last bus leaves at 11:35 p.m. To see the times for all buses from Washington DC to Chicago, IL, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
1:50am
Latest bus
11:35pm
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Washington DC to Chicago, IL for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
Most crowded
Friday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Washington DC



Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.
D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighbourhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.
Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
Chicago



Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban vacation destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.
You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.
Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighbourhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theatre, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.
Chicago is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of bus and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Washington DC?
Main departure station: Union Station
Buses to Chicago, IL leave from 3 stations in Washington DC.
All bus stations in Washington DC:
- Union Station
- Union Station
- Dupont Cir CT Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago, IL?
Main arrival station: Dan Ryan Bus Station
Buses arrive in Chicago, IL at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are travelling with.
All bus stations in Chicago, IL:
- Dan Ryan Bus Station
- Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
- Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Need a return trip from Chicago, IL to Washington DC?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
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Continue by bus from Chicago, IL
- Chicago to Champaign BusCHF 39+
- Chicago to Indianapolis BusCHF 41+
- Chicago to Ann Arbor BusCHF 40+
- Chicago to Grand Rapids BusCHF 131+
- Chicago to Minneapolis BusCHF 96+
- Chicago to St Louis BusCHF 52+
- Chicago to Columbus BusCHF 60+
- Chicago to Dallas BusCHF 136+
- Chicago to Milwaukee BusCHF 17+
- Chicago, IL to Bloomington, IN BusCHF 27+
- Chicago to South Bend BusCHF 21+
- Chicago to Detroit BusCHF 43+
- Chicago to Kalamazoo BusCHF 27+
- Chicago to Kansas City BusCHF 73+
- Chicago to New York BusCHF 125+
- Chicago to Philadelphia BusCHF 106+
- Chicago to Houston BusCHF 115+
Check out these popular routes
- Calgary to Edmonton BusCHF 23+
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- New York, NY to Washington DC BusCHF 38+
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- New York to Providence BusCHF 34+
- Philadelphia to New York BusCHF 24+
- Seattle to Vancouver BusCHF 35+

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