Cheap coach tickets from Detroit to Chicago

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Coach from Detroit to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 15 intercity coaches per day from Detroit to Chicago. Travelling by coach from Detroit to Chicago usually takes around 7 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 4 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance
237 mi (381 km)
Shortest duration
4h 50m
Cheapest price
NOK 292.75
Trips per day
15
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Coach lines
4

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Detroit to Chicago Coach Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Detroit to Chicago?

There are usually 3 daily train trips from Detroit to Chicago.

Coach
Train
Avg. PriceNOK 582.66CheaperAvg. PriceNOK 687.77
Daily Trips15Daily Trips3
Duration7h 40mDuration5h 24mFaster
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Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for coaches from Detroit to Chicago (Based on 19 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Yvonne

16 July 2026 - Holiday

FlixBus US
Pros: Competent driver. Comfortable bus. Cons: Please train the drivers to : Ensure people sit in the allocated seat. Use basic manners. Insist on passengers being respectful...no loud phone usage. Sorry to say that many ignorant passengers are loud, rude and have a huge chip of entitlement on their shoulders. Tips: Don't get on a bus without earplugs.

4.0

Greg

22 May 2026 - Visiting family

Barons Bus Lines
Pros: I was glad the connection in Toledo went well. There was only a 20 minute wait. Cons: The driver should pull the suitcases out from under the bus. I and others had to go way back into the luggage storage to retrieve my suitcase while the driver stood there watching. I'm 72 years old and bumped my head seriously doing this. Also please do NOT play movies in the bus. They are loud for someone trying to read. Also, some movies are about war or aliens or horror. I had 2 drivers: Detroit to Toledo and Toledo to Chicago. The first driver was OK, but the second driver was wonderful. She was warm, informative and set a nice relaxed tone for everyone.

5.0

Nomin

15 May 2026 - Solo travel

FlixBus US
Pros: Driver was professional and nice Cons: Very nice clean

5.0

Carolyn

5 September 2025 - Visiting family

Greyhound
Pros: Overall my trip went according to plan Cons: I don't care for the reserved seats because if your traveling with someone you want to remain sitting with that person on your travel to your destination.

5.0

Ambreen

9 September 2022 - Solo travel

Greyhound
Pros: Started at time, and arrived exactly the same time they mentioned

Detroit to Chicago Route Map

Route map from Detroit to Chicago

How much is a coach ticket from Detroit to Chicago?

Coach tickets for a trip from Detroit to Chicago cost about NOK 505 when you book at the cheapest time, 27 days ahead. Tickets cheaper than NOK 505 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find coach tickets at or below this price.

Average coach ticket prices from Detroit to Chicago by travel date

NOK 705NOK 470NOK 235NovNov

If you're planning to travel by coach from Detroit to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 387 to NOK 699. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 8 December 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, coach tickets are available starting at NOK 453.

Average coach ticket prices from Detroit to Chicago by month

NOK 600NOK 480NOK 360NOK 240NOK 120JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the coach from Detroit to Chicago is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only NOK 482. If you're planning to take the coach from Detroit to Chicago during November, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 585. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

NOK 675NOK 540NOK 405NOK 270NOK 13501020

Most coach companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your coach tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest coach tickets, book your trip at least 27 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 162.33 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What coach companies travel from Detroit to Chicago?

There are 4 coach lines from Detroit to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 10 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most coaches running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

CoachDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway15h 37mNOK 292.75
Barons Bus Lines29h 6mNOK 505.05
FlixBus US36h 33mNOK 624.75
Greyhound107h 59mNOK 576.47
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger coaches operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railways. On the coach, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard toilet facilities. Amtrak Thruway coach tickets from Detroit to Chicago start at NOK 292.75. On average, there is 1 Amtrak Thruway coach trip on this route every day.

  • Barons Bus Lines is a ground transport company that serves various cities across the Midwest. The company follows through on its slogan of “ride like royalty” with a fleet of modern coaches boasting enhanced amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power sockets, ADA accessible steps, and spacious bathrooms. With a reputation for skilled drivers, top-notch safety, and stellar customer service, it's no wonder Barons Bus won the 2022 Wanderu Passengers' Choice Award for #1 Business Travellers' Favourite.

  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German coach company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern coach travel. The company offers cheap coach tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US coaches include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power sockets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 3 trips per day from Detroit to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only NOK 624.75.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5
  • 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 10 coach trips from Detroit to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 7 hours and 59 minutes to complete. Coach tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from NOK 311.45.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu

Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Detroit to Chicago

The cheapest way to get from Detroit to Chicago is by coach. Coach tickets start at just $10 and average $26, while train tickets from Detroit to Chicago cost at least $31.

The Megabus and Greyhound both have their pros and cons when travelling from Detroit to Chicago. Greyhound has 16 trips per day, while Megabus has only 3. Also, on average, Greyhound tends to be almost $5 cheaper, with tickets averaging $24.98. For comparison, Megabus tickets average $29.08. That said, Megabus typically arrives about an hour faster because it does not need to make as many stops. In addition, Megabus tickets for this route can be found as cheap as $10 if booked in advance.

It would be difficult to make a return trip from Detroit to Chicago in one day. The fastest possible duration is 5 hours and 20 minutes, which means a return trip would consist of almost 11 hours of driving time. Megabus offers the fastest average travel time at 5 hours and 38 minutes, but even then it probably makes more sense for you to spend the night in Chicago and return to Detroit the following day.

There are 15 scheduled coaches that travel from Detroit to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 7 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 Detroit to Chicago; ticket prices start at NOK 378.

Trips per day

15

Direct trips

7

The coach takes an average of 7 hours and 40 minutes to cover the 237 miles from Detroit to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 4 hours and 50 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.

Distance (mi)

237

Distance (km)

381

The first coach leaves at 7:15 and the last coach leaves at 23:15. To see the times for all coaches from Detroit to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest coach

7:15am

Latest coach

11:15pm

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for coaches, as many passengers take the coach to Chicago at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, 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, travelling mid-week is your best bet.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Detroit

DET-0DET-1DET-2

Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travellers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.

As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favourite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.

The principal coach terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travellers can catch coaches run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.

Chicago

CHI-0CHI-1CHI-2

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 holiday 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 neighbourhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theatre, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.

Chicago is one of the biggest transport 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 coach and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.

Station Information

Where does the coach leave from in Detroit?

Main departure station: Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St

Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St - DETGLI-0

Located near hip Corktown, the Detroit Greyhound Bus Station is minutes away from local breweries, diverse restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. Besides Greyhound, many other coach carriers serve this station, including Indian Trails, Barons Bus Lines, Miller Transportation, and Jefferson Lines. For travellers’ convenience, the station offers massive car parks, clean toilets, and lockers to rent. The station is a short walk from several local bus stops, and about a 15 minute walk from the closest light rail station to connect to neighbourhoods throughout Detroit.

All coach stations in Detroit:

  • Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St
  • 11 W Baltimore Ave

Where does the coach arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Coaches arrive in Chicago at 3 stations, depending on which coach line you are travelling with.

Coach stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
  • Dan Ryan Bus Station
  • Union Station

Need a return trip from Chicago to Detroit?

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