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There are 19 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Chicago usually takes around 23 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 18 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 594 mi (955 km) |
| Shortest duration | 18h 10m |
| Cheapest price | £42.22 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Overall score for buses from Washington to Chicago
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: Well need to be more respectful to the elderly and one day at a time Patience is important in the Greyhound but nice ride. Cons: It what it is just a lot more patient with the drivers as well ass the passengers collaboration to get along. Tips: Courtesy is very important.
£60.02 is the average price of a bus ticket from Washington DC to Chicago. 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.
Bus tickets from Washington DC to Chicago are expected to cost between £56 and £90 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 £57. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in May. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just £68 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Washington DC to Chicago in August, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to £89 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
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 29 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save £135.83 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Washington DC to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 16 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 4 | 1d 11h 0m | £80.82 |
| Greyhound | 16 | 22h 57m | £86.62 |
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 4 trips per day from Washington 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 16 bus trips from Washington to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 22 hours and 57 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from £41.
The bus takes an average of 23 hours and 28 minutes to cover the 955 kilometers from Washington DC to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 18 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 bus 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 buses as people head from Washington DC to Chicago 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 bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet."
The first bus leaves at 00:00 and the last bus leaves at 20:00. To see the times for all buses from Washington DC to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 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 Washington DC to Chicago; ticket prices start at £67.59.
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.
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.
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.
Union Station
Dupont Cir CT Ave
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionBuses arrive in Chicago at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
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