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Cheap bus tickets from Los Angeles to Chicago

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Los Angeles to Chicago Bus Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Los Angeles to Chicago?

There are usually 14 daily train trips available from Los Angeles to Chicago.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$255.82

Avg. Price

$305.80

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

21

Daily Trips

14

Duration

Duration

2d 11h 47m

Duration

2d 14h 44m

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Bus from Los Angeles to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 22 intercity buses per day from Los Angeles to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Los Angeles to Chicago usually takes around 60 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 50 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance1742 mi (2804 km)
Shortest duration50h 30m
Cheapest price$122.46
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

How much is a bus ticket from Los Angeles to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from Los Angeles to Chicago cost $190.41 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Chicago. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Los Angeles to Chicago by travel date

$375$250$125NovNov

Bus tickets from Los Angeles to Chicago are expected to cost between $164 and $374 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 $210. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Average bus ticket prices from Los Angeles to Chicago by month

$350$280$210$140$70DJFMAMJJASON
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Los Angeles to Chicago, mark your calendar for October. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $243. However, taking the bus from Los Angeles to Chicago during September is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $348. The best way to find deals on a trip in September is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$425$340$255$170$853020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 18 days in advance to save $205.66 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Los Angeles to Chicago?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Los Angeles to Chicago. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US222d 12h 30m$310.55
  • 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 22 trips per day from Los Angeles to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Los Angeles to Chicago

The bus takes an average of 60 hours and 29 minutes to cover the 1742 miles from Los Angeles to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 50 hours and 30 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Los Angeles to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 22 scheduled buses that travel from Los Angeles to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Los Angeles to Chicago; ticket prices start at $136.00.

City Information

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

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 Los Angeles?

Main departure station: Downtown - Vignes Lot

Buses to Chicago leave from 5 stations in Los Angeles.

All bus stations in Los Angeles:

  • Downtown - Vignes Lot

  • San Fernando Bus Station

  • North Hollywood Bus Station

  • USC - 3492 S Hope St

  • 800 N Alameda St

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Dan Ryan Bus Station

Buses arrive in Chicago at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Chicago by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Chicago to Los Angeles?

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Plan your next adventure

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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.