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Chicago to Rockford bus

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Chicago to Rockford Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 28 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Rockford. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Rockford usually takes around one hour and 31 minutes, but the fastest Coach USA bus can make the trip in just one hour and 10 minutes.

Distance80 mi (129 km)
Shortest duration1h 10m
Cheapest price$21.49
Trips per day28
Most frequent serviceCoach USA
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to Rockford

(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Lola

September 18, 2023- Solo travel

Coach USA

Pros: On time. Tips: Would recommend.

5.0

Pamela

September 8, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: I liked that it took me to my final destination and was very clean and comfortable. Cons: A shelter for waiting to board. It unexpectedly began to rain but we boarded quickly. I wasn’t prepared to wait to board outside on the street. Tips: Be aware that you will be outside waiting for the bus on the corner. Bus is very clean and comfortable.

5.0

Luis

October 4, 2022- Couples trip

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: I like that it was convenient. Cons: Can have deals on round trips. Tips: Just have fun.

5.0

Barry

April 5, 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

It was smooth

5.0

Shanika

July 9, 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

I enjoyed the 2 hour ride, bus driver was very professional and careful and the bus was very clean

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How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Rockford?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Rockford cost $28.57 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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

$45$30$15OctOct

Bus tickets from Chicago to Rockford are expected to cost between $29 and $32 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Rockford within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from $29. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10NDJFMAMJJASO
Traveling from Chicago to Rockford by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $29 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

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 save money on bus tickets and ensure availability, it's always best to book in advance.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Rockford?

There are 4 bus lines from Chicago to Rockford available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 18 daily trips, Coach USA usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway102h 4m$33.02
Coach USA181h 11m$28.20
Greyhound12h 15m$23.61
Tornado Bus12h 30m$60.00

  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Chicago to Rockford start at $33. On average, there are 10 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Coach USA from Chicago to Rockford from $28. There are 18 trips per day offered by Coach USA from Chicago to Rockford and you can expect on average to pay for a Coach USA ticket to Rockford. In Chicago, Coach USA departs to Rockford from Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility . In Rockford, Coach USA arrives at Van Galder Bus Office .

    An average trip on Coach USA from Chicago to Rockford takes 1 hours and 11 minutes , while the fastest available Coach USA trip will get you to Rockford in 1 hours and 10 minutes .

    On weekends, Coach USA offers 16 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Rockford.

  • 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 1 bus trips from Chicago to Rockford every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Rockford usually start from $21.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of one hour and 31 minutes to cover the 80 miles from Chicago to Rockford. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 10 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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.

Because many passengers travel from Chicago to Rockford at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Rockford, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 28 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Rockford every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Chicago to Rockford without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Chicago to Rockford; ticket prices start at $33.00.

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.

Rockford

Rockford, IL - RCK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Rockford, IL - RCK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Rockford, IL - RCK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Located on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is one of Illinois' best vacation destinations and the state's fourth-largest city. With its vast, green open spaces, golf courses, four rivers, and Rock Cut State Park, this city offers many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Rockford is often referred to as the City of Gardens, owing to its numerous beautifully-landscaped areas. The Anderson Japanese Gardens boasts the reputation of being one of the highest-quality Japanese gardens in North America, with picturesque water features and exotic plants; the perfect place for an afternoon stroll.

Head indoors to Rockford's museums on cooler days, including the Riverfront Museum Park and the Burpee Museum of Natural History. Finish the day with tickets for a show at the Coronado Performing Arts Centre and enjoy the atmospheric-style theatre and movie house's outstanding interior architecture.

Rockford is conveniently situated near three airports, Rockford International, Chicago O'Hare International, and Dane County Regional. Bus service runs from these airports and Union Station in Chicago to easily access the city. In addition, Amtrak Thruway buses connect Rockford to Amtrak's rail network, with destinations via train including Detroit, St. Louis, and even New York.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?

Main departure station: Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility

Buses to Rockford leave from 6 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport Multi-Modal Facility

  • Chicago (Union Station), Illinois

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • 3501 S California Ave

  • Greyhound: Bus Station

Where does the bus arrive in Rockford?

Main arrival station: Van Galder Bus Office

The Van Galder Bus Office is located just off Interstate 51 in Rockford, Illinois. Although the bus stop doesn't have much in terms of amenities, it's in a resting area for road trips and buses. Grab coffee at the Starbucks, food at Burger King, or stay overnight in the Garden Inn just across the street. The terminal, which is operated by Van Galder Buses, services buses that run between Rockford and Madison, as well as Chicago O'Hare Airport and Union Station in downtown Chicago. Within the station building, there's a waiting room for you to enjoy your latte or burger, and a ticket kiosk if you have any questions about your trip.

All bus stations in Rockford:

  • Van Galder Bus Office

  • E Side Tranfer Ctr

  • EL Carrusel

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