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Milwaukee to Chicago bus

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Milwaukee - Chicago Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 82 intercity buses per day from Milwaukee to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Milwaukee to Chicago usually takes around 2 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Coach USA bus can make the trip in just one hour and 20 minutes.

Distance81 mi (131 km)
Shortest duration1h 20m
Cheapest price€16.95
Trips per day74
Most frequent serviceCoach USA
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Milwaukee to Chicago

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Paula

April 15, 2022- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: I really like this app so much because the buses are always on time, it has good prices and it is very confortable. Cons: Nothing, everything is excellent. Tips: Be on time and buy your ticket with time. You will find good deals.

5.0

Jesus

September 14, 2019- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: The seats on this bus were clean and comfortable, the bus arrived on time despite traffic. Cons: NA. Tips: Would recommend this line for a quick trip between Wisconsin-Chicago.

5.0

Joseph

August 13, 2019- Vacation

Greyhound

Pros: I'm a first time traveler... and they made if for me...like a been traveling for years....loved it... Cons: I wish food court stayed open longer...

5.0

Avery

June 7, 2019- Visiting friends

Greyhound

Pros: Bus driver was awesome. Cons: A little trash here and there on the bus but really pretty clean overall.

Milwaukee to Chicago Route Map

Milwaukee Chicago
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How much is a bus ticket from Milwaukee to Chicago?

€21.97 is the average price of a bus ticket from Milwaukee 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

€42€28€14AprApr

Bus tickets from Milwaukee to Chicago are expected to cost between €21 and €29 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Chicago within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from €24. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

€47€38€28€19€9MJJASONDJFMA
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Milwaukee to Chicago, mark your calendar for May. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just €22. However, taking the bus from Milwaukee to Chicago during March is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of €28. The best way to find deals on a trip in March is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

€47€38€28€19€93020100

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 24 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C€16.58 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Milwaukee to Chicago?

There are 4 bus lines from Milwaukee to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 71 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
Coach USA711h 41m€35.81
FlixBus US73h 45m€29.27
Greyhound152h 37m€28.24
Tornado Bus22h 0m€77.83

  • Book Coach USA from Milwaukee to Chicago from €36. There are 71 Coach USA schedules from Milwaukee to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Coach USA ticket to Chicago. In Milwaukee, Coach USA departs to Chicago from Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave and 2 other stations. In Chicago, Coach USA arrives at Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr and 1 other station.

    An average trip on Coach USA from Milwaukee to Chicago takes 1 hours and 41 minutes , while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Chicago in 1 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, Coach USA offers 71 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Chicago.

  • 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 7 trips per day from Milwaukee to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • 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 15 bus trips from Milwaukee to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 37 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from €17.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 32 minutes to cover the 131 kilometers from Milwaukee to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 20 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Chicago. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 Chicago, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

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

There are 82 scheduled buses that travel from Milwaukee to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 74 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 Milwaukee to Chicago; ticket prices start at €17.91.

City Information

Milwaukee

Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.

Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Visitors can catch both buses and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.

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 Milwaukee?

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-1

Image credit: Payton Chung

Link to image attribution
Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave - MKEIMS-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transportation hub for rail and bus travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity bus services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop streetcar service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.

All bus stations in Milwaukee:

  • Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

  • Mitchell Airport - 5300 S Howell Ave

  • Milwaukee Park & Ride Terminal

  • Milwaukee (Downtown)

  • Agencia De Viajes Mexico

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport

Buses arrive in Chicago at 7 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Chicago:

  • Terminal 5 Station, O'Hare Intl Airport

  • Chicago O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Ctr

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

  • 5800 N Cumberland Ave

  • 3501 S California Ave

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