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Cheap bus tickets from Rockford to Madison

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Rockford to Madison Bus Schedule

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Bus from Rockford to Madison: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Rockford to Madison. Traveling by bus from Rockford to Madison usually takes around one hour and 18 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour and 10 minutes.

Distance58 mi (93 km)
Shortest duration1h 10m
Cheapest price$15.98
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

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What bus companies travel from Rockford to Madison?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Rockford to Madison. FlixBus US 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.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US21h 18m$18.12
  • 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 2 trips per day from Rockford to Madison, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Rockford to Madison

The bus takes an average of one hour and 18 minutes to cover the 58 miles from Rockford to Madison. 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Madison 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 2:00pm and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Rockford to Madison, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Rockford to Madison. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.

City Information

Rockford

Rockford, IL - RCK-0

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Rockford, IL - RCK-1

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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.

Madison

Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.

As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.

The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Rockford?

Main departure station: E Side Tranfer Ctr

The East Side Transfer Center (commonly shortened to just "E Side") is a bus station in Rockford. While some refer to it as just a Greyhound station, the center also services Van Galder Bus and Burlington Trailways. Together, the three carriers provide service across the Midwest, including Chicago. Within the transfer center, you can find a waiting room, vending machines, and restrooms. There are also benches outside if you'd prefer to get some fresh air while waiting. If you have time to kill, there's also a Subway and Cracker Barrel for a more substantial meal. For overnight connections, there are a number of convenient hotels just across I90.

All bus stations in Rockford:

  • E Side Tranfer Ctr

Where does the bus arrive in Madison?

Main arrival station: Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

The Phillips 66 on Collins Ct is a gas station where Greyhound buses stop in Madison. The bus stops outside the gas station, and inside, Phillips 66 offers convenient snacks and services for travelers. You can grab a coffee or quick bite to enjoy on the bus or use the available restroom or ATM. The surrounding area also offers a few restaurants and hotels for more extended stays. The station is located a few miles outside of Madison’s downtown area, but it is easy to access local public transportation across the street at the Dutch Mill Park & Ride.

All bus stations in Madison:

  • Dutch Mill Park & Ride (West Lot)

  • University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center

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