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Chicago to Knoxville bus

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Chicago - Knoxville Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Knoxville. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Knoxville usually takes around 17 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 15 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance455 mi (732 km)
Shortest duration15h 35m
Cheapest price$84.14
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines1

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Knoxville?

$95.92 is the average price of a bus ticket from Chicago to Knoxville. While it’s on the pricier side for a bus ticket, taking the bus is still a cheaper alternative to flying. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

$183$122$61MarApr

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Chicago to Knoxville is expected to range from $110 to $175. If you are looking to travel to Knoxville within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $111. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $110 and can be found on April 16, 2024.

Monthly average prices

$170$136$102$68$34AMJJASONDJFM

The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in May. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $128 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Chicago to Knoxville in July, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $159 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$238$190$143$95$483020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 28 days in advance to save up to $235.62.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Knoxville?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Chicago to Knoxville. Greyhound connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound517h 32m$147.55
  • 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 5 bus trips from Chicago to Knoxville every day, with the average journey taking around 17 hours and 32 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Knoxville usually start from $81.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 17 hours and 31 minutes to cover the 732 kilometers from Chicago to Knoxville. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 hours and 35 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Chicago to Knoxville 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Knoxville, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Knoxville 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.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Buses to Knoxville leave from 3 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

Where does the bus arrive in Knoxville?

Main arrival station: Knoxville Bus Station

All buses from Chicago arrive at one main station in Knoxville.

Bus stations in Knoxville:

  • Knoxville Bus Station

Get around town with Moovit

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