Cheap bus tickets from Iowa City to Chicago
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Bus from Iowa City to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Iowa City to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Iowa City to Chicago usually takes around 6 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 10 minutes.
- Distance
- 202 mi (324 km)
- Shortest duration
- 4h 10m
- Cheapest price
- TRY 2,196.03
- Trips per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Bus lines
- 1
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Iowa City to Chicago Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Iowa City to Chicago (Based on 14 ratings and reviews)
5.0
May 5, 2023 - Visiting friends
Burlington Trailways5.0
January 10, 2022 - Solo travel
Burlington Trailways5.0
September 12, 2021
Burlington Trailways5.0
May 7, 2021
Burlington Trailways4.0
April 8, 2021 - Visiting friends
Burlington Trailways4.0
November 4, 2019 - Visiting family
Burlington TrailwaysThere are several bus options that can take you from Iowa City to Chicago:
See more detailsPrice trends for buses from Iowa City to Chicago
Average bus ticket prices from Iowa City to Chicago by travel date
Average bus ticket prices from Iowa City to Chicago by month
Prices as travel date approaches
What bus companies travel from Iowa City to Chicago?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to Chicago. Jefferson Lines 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 6h 39m | TRY 2,196.03 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Chicago from TRY 2,196.03. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay TRY 2,196.03 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Chicago. In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines departs to Chicago from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St. In Chicago, Jefferson Lines arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Iowa City to Chicago takes 6 hours and 39 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Chicago in 4 hours and 10 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs TRY 2,196.03 for a weekend trip to Chicago.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Iowa City to Chicago
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Iowa City to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Trips per day
3
Direct trips
1
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 39 minutes to cover the 202 miles from Iowa City to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 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.
Distance (mi)
202
Distance (km)
324
The first bus leaves at 1:35am and the last bus leaves at 3:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Iowa City to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
1:35am
Latest bus
3:00pm
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses 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, 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.
Most crowded
Tuesday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Iowa City



The old capital city of Iowa, Iowa City, is a historic area with plenty of quaint old buildings and beautiful landmarks. The most notable attraction is the Old Capitol Building in the middle of the University of Iowa's campus. The building's first floor is a museum dedicated to the state's history so that you can brush up on your Hawkeye State knowledge (we'll get you started: the Iowa state rock is the geode!). For more history and culture, hit up Plum Grove, the home of the first Governor of Iowa, and the University of Iowa Art Museum.
Thanks to its lively cultural scene, Iowa City's food scene is vibrant and diverse. One of the must-try establishments in the city is Short's Burger and Shine, which features a wide variety of burgers made from locally sourced meat. In addition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an award-winning restaurant, with visitors including many past presidents.
Bus service to Iowa City arrives right downtown for easy access to Iowa City's highlights. Although there is a small municipal airport in Iowa City, most commercial flights will depart from nearby Cedar Rapids Airport or even from Des Moines, about 100 miles away.
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 Iowa City?
Main departure station: Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
The Burlington Trailways Station in Iowa City is part of the Court St Transportation Center near downtown. Buses usually board outside the multi-story parking garage on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, and even a charging station for your devices. You can walk to three hotels, a sushi restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Starbucks, and a bar in the immediate area, so you definitely won't have to travel hungry or thirsty. Greyhound and Burlington Trailways buses depart from this station and connect Iowa City to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, and more cities throughout the Midwest.
All bus stations in Iowa City:
- Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?
Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

All buses from Iowa City arrive at one main station in Chicago.
All bus stations in Chicago:
- Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Need a return trip from Chicago to Iowa City?
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