Chicago to Los Angeles bus
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Journey Information
There are 41 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Los Angeles. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Los Angeles usually takes around 55 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 46 hours and 40 minutes.
| Distance | 1742 mi (2804 km) |
| Shortest duration | 46h 40m |
| Cheapest price | $91.95 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Chicago to Los Angeles Route Map
Buses from Chicago to Los Angeles
- FlixBus US: 3 daily buses from $92
- Greyhound: 47 daily buses from $93
- Tornado Bus: 1 daily buses from $370
How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Los Angeles?
Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Los Angeles cost $183.91 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 Los Angeles. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Chicago to Los Angeles is expected to be between $165 and $219. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is October 24, 2024, when tickets are available for October 24, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $183.
Monthly avg. prices
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 $247.07 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Chicago to Los Angeles?
There are 3 bus lines from Chicago to Los Angeles available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 47 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 3 | 2d 19h 56m | $303.49 |
| Greyhound | 47 | 2d 6h 47m | $322.24 |
| Tornado Bus | 1 | 2d 17h 38m | $371.60 |
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 3 trips per day from Chicago to Los Angeles, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus 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 47 bus trips from Chicago to Los Angeles every day, with the average journey taking around 54 hours and 47 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Los Angeles usually start from $93.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 55 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 1742 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. However, the fastest bus only takes 46 hours and 40 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 Los Angeles 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 10:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Los Angeles, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 41 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Los Angeles 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.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Los Angeles; ticket prices start at $136.00.
City Information
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.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?
Main departure station: Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Buses to Los Angeles leave from 4 stations in Chicago.
All bus stations in Chicago:
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
3501 S California Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Los Angeles?
Main arrival station: Los Angeles Un Station Arrival
Buses arrive in Los Angeles at 9 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Los Angeles:
Los Angeles Un Station Arrival
800 N Alameda St
San Fernando Bus Station
Downtown - Vignes Lot
North Hollywood Bus Station
USC - 3492 S Hope St
1658 N Orange Drive
592 Gayley Ave
611 Maple Ave
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