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Journey Information
There are 11 intercity buses per day from Chicago to State College. Traveling by bus from Chicago to State College usually takes around 21 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 17 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 512 mi (824 km) |
| Shortest duration | 17h 5m |
| Cheapest price | $67.61 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Chicago to State College?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Chicago to State College. Greyhound connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 11 | 21h 24m | $129.23 |
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 11 bus trips from Chicago to State College every day, with the average journey taking around 21 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to State College usually start from $66.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 21 hours and 23 minutes to cover the 824 kilometers from Chicago to State College. However, the fastest bus only takes 17 hours and 5 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.
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to State College, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
The first bus leaves at 11:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to State College, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 11 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to State College every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to State College; ticket prices start at $194.62.
City Information
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 neighborhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theater, 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.
State College
State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).
One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.
If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.
While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.
Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?
Main departure station: Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Buses to State College leave from 3 stations in Chicago.
All bus stations in Chicago:
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Where does the bus arrive in State College?
Main arrival station: 152 N Atherton St.
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in State College.
Bus stations in State College:
152 N Atherton St.
State College (Airport - SCE)
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from State College to Chicago?
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