Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to Wilmington
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:
Chicago to Wilmington Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Chicago to Wilmington?
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Chicago to Wilmington.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$126.02 | Avg. Price$251.20 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration22h 2m | Duration21h 58m |
Bus from Chicago to Wilmington: Journey Information
There are 4 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Wilmington. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Wilmington usually takes around 22 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 20 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 649 mi (1044 km) |
| Shortest duration | 20h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $101.96 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Wilmington?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Chicago to Wilmington. 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 | 4 | 22h 12m | $193.83 |
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 4 trips per day from Chicago to Wilmington, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Chicago to Wilmington
The bus takes an average of 22 hours and 12 minutes to cover the 649 miles from Chicago to Wilmington. However, the fastest bus only takes 20 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Wilmington 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 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Wilmington, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Wilmington 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 Chicago to Wilmington; ticket prices start at $106.00.
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.
Wilmington
Wilmington is a major city in Delaware, established at the site of the first Swedish settlement in North America. The charming city, at the confluence of the Brandywine River and Christina River, offers easy connections to the lush countryside of Brandywine Valley. Thanks to the venerable du Pont family, who established the DuPont Company in Wilmington in 1802, the city is filled with grand estates and magnificent gardens for visitors to enjoy. The Hagley Museum & Library is the ultimate example. The expansive complex includes the first home of the du Pont family, powder yards from the company's initial gunpowder mill, and a Renaissance-style garden complete with terraces.
To dive deeper into the city's history, check out the Fort Christina State Park, the site of Wilmington's original Swedish settlement over 400 years ago. Other popular attractions include the Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Zoo.
Wilmington is easy to access from most of the mid-Atlantic region and is located between Philadelphia and Washington. In 2011, the city's Amtrak train station was renamed the Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station in honor of rail enthusiast Joe Biden, who often commuted via Amtrak from Wilmington to Washington during his time as a Senator. Buses from Wilmington also connect to cities like New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Since the regional Wilmington Airport does not offer civilian flights, travelers can easily take a bus to the airport in Philadelphia for any air travel out of the area.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?
Main departure station: Dan Ryan Bus Station
Chicago has two bus stations with service to Wilmington.
All bus stations in Chicago:
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Where does the bus arrive in Wilmington?
Main arrival station: Amtrak/SEPTA Station
All buses from Chicago arrive at one main station in Wilmington.
All bus stations in Wilmington:
Amtrak/SEPTA Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Wilmington to Chicago?
Search Bus Tickets
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.
- Bus Tickets
- United States
- Delaware
- Wilmington
- Chicago to Wilmington






