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Rockford to Chicago bus

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Rockford - Chicago Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 48 intercity buses per day from Rockford to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Rockford to Chicago usually takes around 2 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest Coach USA bus can make the trip in just one hour and 15 minutes.

Distance80 mi (129 km)
Shortest duration1h 15m
Cheapest priceUS$20.49
Trips per day46
Most frequent serviceCoach USA
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Rockford to Chicago

(Based on 8 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Emoni

November 28, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: It was very smooth in nice I got there 30 minutes early then I expected. Cons: Nothing it’s fine. Tips: Make sure u be a little early.

5.0

Barry

April 6, 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Departure on time Arrival on time. Cons: Back seat very uncomfortable.

5.0

Rachel

March 1, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Everything was great

4.0

Janice

December 6, 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: It was very comfortable and convenient. Cons: I am physically challenged and had great difficulty getting my bags (2) into the train station and no help was available. It was extremely difficult. Even in the train station help was not available. Thankfully on two occasions 2 people helped me. Tips: Pack light!

4.0

Janice

October 7, 2021- Vacation

Amtrak Thruway

all was good

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Rockford to Chicago?

US$23.15 is the average price of a bus ticket from Rockford to Chicago. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. 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

US$30US$20US$10AprMay

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Rockford to Chicago is expected to be between US$26 and US$29. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is May 8, 2024, when tickets are available for May 8, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just US$27.

Monthly average prices

US$50US$40US$30US$20US$10MJJASONDJFMA
If you're planning on taking a bus from Rockford to Chicago, you'll be happy to know that the cost stays pretty stable throughout the year. You can expect to pay around US$29 for your ticket regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

US$50US$40US$30US$20US$103020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 20 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save CUS$11.02 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Rockford to Chicago?

There are 3 bus lines from Rockford to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 36 daily trips, Coach USA usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway112h 11mUS$30.00
Coach USA361h 23mUS$28.20
Greyhound34h 56mUS$27.69

  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Rockford to Chicago start at US$30. On average, there are 11 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Coach USA from Rockford to Chicago from US$28. There are 36 Coach USA schedules from Rockford to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Coach USA ticket to Chicago. In Rockford, Coach USA departs to Chicago from Van Galder Bus Office and no other station. In Chicago, Coach USA arrives at Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport and 1 other station.

    An average trip on Coach USA from Rockford to Chicago takes 1 hours and 23 minutes , while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Chicago in 1 hours and 15 minutes .

    On weekends, Coach USA offers 36 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Chicago.

  • 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 3 bus trips from Rockford to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 56 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from US$20.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 18 minutes to cover the 129 kilometers from Rockford to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 15 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.

"Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go."

The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Rockford to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 48 scheduled buses that travel from Rockford to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 46 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 Rockford to Chicago; ticket prices start at US$30.00.

City Information

Rockford

Rockford, IL - RCK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Rockford, IL - RCK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Rockford, IL - RCK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Located on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is one of Illinois' best vacation destinations and the state's fourth-largest city. With its vast, green open spaces, golf courses, four rivers, and Rock Cut State Park, this city offers many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Rockford is often referred to as the City of Gardens, owing to its numerous beautifully-landscaped areas. The Anderson Japanese Gardens boasts the reputation of being one of the highest-quality Japanese gardens in North America, with picturesque water features and exotic plants; the perfect place for an afternoon stroll.

Head indoors to Rockford's museums on cooler days, including the Riverfront Museum Park and the Burpee Museum of Natural History. Finish the day with tickets for a show at the Coronado Performing Arts Centre and enjoy the atmospheric-style theatre and movie house's outstanding interior architecture.

Rockford is conveniently situated near three airports, Rockford International, Chicago O'Hare International, and Dane County Regional. Bus service runs from these airports and Union Station in Chicago to easily access the city. In addition, Amtrak Thruway buses connect Rockford to Amtrak's rail network, with destinations via train including Detroit, St. Louis, and even New York.

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 Rockford?

Main departure station: Van Galder Bus Office

The Van Galder Bus Office is located just off Interstate 51 in Rockford, Illinois. Although the bus stop doesn't have much in terms of amenities, it's in a resting area for road trips and buses. Grab coffee at the Starbucks, food at Burger King, or stay overnight in the Garden Inn just across the street. The terminal, which is operated by Van Galder Buses, services buses that run between Rockford and Madison, as well as Chicago O'Hare Airport and Union Station in downtown Chicago. Within the station building, there's a waiting room for you to enjoy your latte or burger, and a ticket kiosk if you have any questions about your trip.

All bus stations in Rockford:

  • Van Galder Bus Office

  • E Side Tranfer Ctr

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr

Buses arrive in Chicago at 5 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Chicago:

  • Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr

  • Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

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