Cheap coach tickets from State College to Chicago
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
State College to Chicago Coach Timetable
Is it better to travel by bus or train from State College to Chicago?
There are usually 1 daily train trips from State College to Chicago.
Coach | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceCA$178.54 | Avg. PriceCA$270.54 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips8 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration18h 51m | Duration20h 19m |
Coach from State College to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 8 intercity coaches per day from State College to Chicago. Traveling by coach from State College to Chicago usually takes around 18 hours and 49 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 14 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 512 mi (824 km) |
| Shortest duration | 14h 15m |
| Cheapest price | CA$88.09 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Coach lines | 2 |
How much is a coach ticket from State College to Chicago?
Bus tickets for a trip from State College to Chicago cost CA$134.86 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 19 days in advance. This way, you can save up to CA$76.93 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What coach companies travel from State College to Chicago?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from State College to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 3 | 18h 3m | CA$202.32 |
| Greyhound | 5 | 18h 56m | CA$171.33 |
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 3 trips per day from State College to Chicago, 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 5 bus trips from State College to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 18 hours and 56 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from CA$116.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by coach from State College to Chicago
The coach takes an average of 18 hours and 49 minutes to cover the 512 miles from State College to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 14 hours and 15 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.
"Tuesday is usually the day of the week when coaches 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 coach travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go."
The first coach leaves at 10:00 and the last coach leaves at 16:00. To see the times for all coaches from State College to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 8 scheduled coaches that travel from State College to Chicago 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 State College to Chicago; ticket prices start at CA$192.75.
City Information
State College
State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).
One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.
If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.
While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.
Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.
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 coach leave from in State College?
Main departure station: 152 N Atherton St.
State College has two coach stations with service to Chicago.
All coach stations in State College:
152 N Atherton St.
State College (Airport - SCE)
Where does the coach arrive in Chicago?
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Coaches arrive in Chicago at 3 stations, depending on which coach line you are traveling with.
Coach stations in Chicago:
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Chicago to State College?
Search Coach Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.