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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Champaign to Joliet. Traveling by bus from Champaign to Joliet usually takes around 6 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 6 hours,
| Distance | 98 mi (157 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 0m |
| Cheapest price | $61.62 |
| Most frequent service | Tornado Bus |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Champaign to Joliet?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Champaign to Joliet. Tornado Bus is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tornado Bus | 2 | 6h 8m | $61.62 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 8 minutes to cover the 98 miles from Champaign to Joliet. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours. 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.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00am. To see the times for all buses from Champaign to Joliet, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Champaign to Joliet. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Champaign to Joliet; ticket prices start at $31.00.
City Information
Champaign
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
A significant hub for the Silicone Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.
As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.
The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.
Joliet
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionJoliet is the third-largest city in Illinois and a suburb about 35 miles outside of Chicago. Most striking in Joliet is its limestone architecture, which you can see in the 40-room Jacob Henry Mansion and Post Office, built in 1876 and 1903, respectively. The Rialto Square Theatre is another historic building where many musicals, concerts, and comedy shows perform each week. Aside from its history, Joliet has gorgeous natural spaces, including the Forest Preserve District, perfect for fishing and hiking, and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, where 27 protected bison live.
Roll the dice at the Hollywood Casino and Hotel for an epic night out in Joliet. If you prefer to fill your stomach instead of emptying your wallet, choose from several on-site dining options in the hotel. Downtown Joliet is also known for its culinary opportunities, from fine dining at Juliet's Tavern to quick bites at Joliet Route 66 Diner.
Amtrak's Lincoln Service from St. Louis and the Texas Eagle from San Antonio stop in Joliet on their routes to Chicago. The quick trip to Chicago makes it easy to connect to many of Amtrak's other train lines, plus additional bus routes beyond the ones offered by Tornado Bus and El Expreso Bus directly to Joliet.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Champaign?
Main departure station: Pilot Travel center
Tornado bus service stops at the Pilot Travel Center located at 4910 Market Street, slightly north of downtown Champaign. The gas station is open 24 hours a day, all day. It is a stop-over plaza for trucks and buses to refuel, so there is not a separate bus station building. You can, however, wait for the bus inside the gas station or head to the onsite McDonald’s to grab a bite. The place remains busy throughout the day, but overall the facilities are clean and comfortable for travelers.
All bus stations in Champaign:
Pilot Travel center
Where does the bus arrive in Joliet?
Main arrival station: Super Rio Grande
All buses from Champaign arrive at one main station in Joliet.
All bus stations in Joliet:
Super Rio Grande
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