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Chicago to Washington DC coach

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Chicago - Washington DC Coach Timetable

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Journey Information

There are 12 intercity coaches per day from Chicago to Washington DC. Traveling by coach from Chicago to Washington DC usually takes around 24 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound coach can make the trip in 19 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance594 mi (955 km)
Shortest duration19h 10m
Cheapest price€53.34
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Coach lines2

Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for coaches from Chicago to Washington

(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.5

4.0

Omar

31 July 2023- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: The overall safety of the trip. Cons: the cleanliness of the vehicle. Tips: Relax and enjoy the ride.

How much is a coach ticket from Chicago to Washington DC?

€77.37 is the average price of a bus ticket from Chicago to Washington DC. 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

€111€74€37MarApr

Bus tickets from Chicago to Washington DC are expected to cost between €74 and €101 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Washington DC within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from €76. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

€139€111€84€56€28AMJJASONDJFM
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Chicago to Washington DC, mark your calendar for June. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just €77. However, taking the bus from Chicago to Washington DC during March is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of €119. 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

€209€167€125€84€423020100

Most coach companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your coach tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap coach tickets is to book at least 29 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save €136.05 on your coach ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What coach companies travel from Chicago to Washington DC?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Chicago to Washington DC that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 12 scheduled trips per day.

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US21d 10h 29m€180.02
Greyhound121d 0h 9m€106.46
  • 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 2 trips per day from Chicago to Washington, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide coach 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 12 bus trips from Chicago to Washington every day, with the average journey taking around 24 hours and 9 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington usually start from €52.

Frequently Asked Questions

The coach takes an average of 24 hours and 11 minutes to cover the 594 miles from Chicago to Washington DC. However, the fastest coach only takes 19 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 coach 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 coaches as people head from Chicago to Washington DC 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the coach, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first coach leaves at 01:00 and the last coach leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all coaches from Chicago to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 12 scheduled coaches that travel from Chicago to Washington DC every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Washington DC; ticket prices start at €77.96.

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.

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 neighborhood 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.

Station Information

Where does the coach 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

Coaches to Washington DC leave from 3 stations in Chicago.

All coach stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

Where does the coach arrive in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main arrival station: Union Station

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

Coach stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

  • Dupont Cir CT Ave

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Washington DC to Chicago?

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