Cheap bus tickets from San Diego 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 find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
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:
San Diego to Chicago Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Chicago?
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Diego to Chicago.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceRON 875.64 | Avg. PriceRON 1,468.35 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips12 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration2d 7h 12m | Duration2d 11h 36m |
Bus from San Diego to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 13 intercity buses per day from San Diego to Chicago. Traveling by bus from San Diego to Chicago usually takes around 55 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 48 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 1732 mi (2787 km) |
| Shortest duration | 48h 50m |
| Cheapest price | RON 553.16 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Diego to Chicago?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Diego to Chicago cost RON 703.99 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 San Diego to Chicago by month
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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to RON 1,016.72 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Diego to Chicago?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Diego to Chicago. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 13 | 2d 7h 10m | RON 1,440.96 |
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 13 trips per day from San Diego to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Diego to Chicago
The bus takes an average of 55 hours and 10 minutes to cover the 1732 miles from San Diego to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 48 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 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, 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 1:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Diego to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 13 scheduled buses that travel from San Diego 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 San Diego to Chicago; ticket prices start at RON 957.16.
City Information
San Diego
San Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.
Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.
Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
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 San Diego?
Main departure station: La Jolla - UC San Diego
Buses to Chicago leave from 4 stations in San Diego.
All bus stations in San Diego:
La Jolla - UC San Diego
2728 Congress St (Old Town SD)
789 W Harbor Dr - Seaport Village
San Ysidro Transit Center
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Buses arrive in Chicago at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus 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 San Diego?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from San Diego
- Bus from San Diego to Mexicali
RON 126+
- San Diego to Tijuana
RON 43+
- Bus from San Diego to Yuma
RON 353+
- Bus from San Diego to Anaheim
RON 115+
- Bus from San Diego to Calexico
RON 344+
- San Diego to El Centro Bus
RON 204+
- Bus from San Diego to Fontana
RON 200+
- San Diego to Indio Bus
RON 315+
- San Diego to Los Angeles
RON 155+
- Bus from San Diego to Oceanside
RON 52+
- Bus from San Diego to San Bernardino
RON 168+
- San Diego to Santa Barbara Bus
RON 232+
- Bus from San Diego to Santa Maria
RON 350+
- San Diego to Stockton Bus
RON 569+
- Bus from San Diego to Las Vegas
RON 310+
- San Diego to New York Bus
RON 1,610+
- Bus from San Diego to Austin
RON 1,224+
- San Diego to Salt Lake City
RON 630+
Continue by bus from Chicago
- Bus from Chicago to Mexico City
RON 1,651+
- Chicago to Ciudad Hidalgo Bus
RON 1,406+
- Bus from Chicago to Rockford
RON 80+
- Bus from Chicago to Goshen
RON 159+
- Chicago to Indianapolis
RON 226+
- Chicago to Baltimore Bus
RON 654+
- Bus from Chicago to Holland
RON 181+
- Chicago to Kansas City Bus
RON 389+
- Bus from Chicago to Jackson
RON 907+
- Chicago to Springfield Bus
RON 470+
- Bus from Chicago to Toledo
RON 220+
- Chicago to Oklahoma City Bus
RON 878+
- Bus from Chicago to Dallas
RON 918+
- Bus from Chicago to San Antonio
RON 1,015+
- Chicago to Richmond
RON 779+
- Bus from Chicago to Madison
RON 173+
- Chicago to Milwaukee
RON 151+
- Chicago to Charleston Bus
RON 372+
Check out these popular routes
- Bus from Calgary to Edmonton
RON 106+
- Bus from Edmonton to Calgary
RON 105+
- Bus from Vancouver to Seattle
RON 244+
- Toronto to Ottawa Bus
RON 115+
- Boston to New York
RON 127+
- Bus from Portland to Boston
RON 111+
- Brooklyn to Philadelphia
RON 40+
- Ithaca to New York Bus
RON 259+
- Bus from New York to Montreal
RON 444+
- Bus from New York to Boston
RON 123+
- New York to Ithaca Bus
RON 224+
- Bus from New York to Philadelphia
RON 63+
- Philadelphia to Brooklyn Bus
RON 68+
- Bus from Philadelphia to New York
RON 90+
- Dallas to Houston Bus
RON 211+
- Houston to Dallas Bus
RON 215+
- Seattle to Vancouver Bus
RON 217+
- Madison to Chicago Bus
RON 173+
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus 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.