background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Chicago to Knoxville

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

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:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Chicago to Knoxville Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00

Bus from Chicago to Knoxville: Journey Information

There are 10 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Knoxville. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Knoxville usually takes around 18 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 14 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance455 mi (732 km)
Shortest duration14h 45m
Cheapest price$53.98
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Knoxville?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Knoxville cost $88.17 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Chicago to Knoxville by travel date

$180$120$60OctNov

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Knoxville in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $70 to $175. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 20, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Knoxville this week, bus tickets are available starting at $75.

Monthly avg. prices

$125$100$75$50$25DJFMAMJJASON
Taking the bus from Chicago to Knoxville is usually cheapest in May, when the average ticket price is only $94. If you're planning to take the bus from Chicago to Knoxville during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $119. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$200$160$120$80$403020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 14 days in advance to save up to $67.91.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Knoxville?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Chicago to Knoxville that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 10 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US11d 2h 12m$143.90
Greyhound1018h 26m$104.26
  • 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 1 trips per day from Chicago to Knoxville, 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 10 bus trips from Chicago to Knoxville every day, with the average journey taking around 18 hours and 26 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Knoxville usually start from $54.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Chicago to Knoxville

The bus takes an average of 18 hours and 28 minutes to cover the 455 miles from Chicago to Knoxville. However, the fastest bus only takes 14 hours and 45 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Chicago to Knoxville for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Knoxville, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Knoxville, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Knoxville 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.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Buses to Knoxville leave from 3 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

Where does the bus arrive in Knoxville?

Main arrival station: Knoxville Bus Station

All buses from Chicago arrive at one main station in Knoxville.

All bus stations in Knoxville:

  • Knoxville Bus Station

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Knoxville by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Knoxville to Chicago?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.