Cheap bus tickets from State College, PA to Washington, DC

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Bus from State College, PA to Washington DC: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from State College, PA to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from State College, PA to Washington DC usually takes around 9 hours and 5 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 20 minutes.

Distance
137 mi (221 km)
Shortest duration
5h 20m
Cheapest price
$45.97
Trips per day
0
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
2

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4.8 Rating

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4.5 Rating

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State College to Washington Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from State College to Washington?

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from State College, PA to Washington, DC.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$78.02CheaperAvg. Price$140.53
Daily Trips4Daily Trips1
Duration9h 5mDuration7h 29mFaster
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from State College to Washington (Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Francis

June 8, 2024 - Visiting family

Megabus
Pros: Good vibes between the drivers and passengers. The bus also arrived on time. Cons: Good wifi connection. I did not notice any wifi. Tips: Megabus provides great travel experience to customers. I would recommend this to everyone.

5.0

Aliaksandr

January 8, 2024 - Business

Megabus
Pros: All was good Cons: Nothing Tips: Yes, of course

4.0

Sherman

November 7, 2019 - Visiting friends

Greyhound
Pros: The bathroom was horrible. Filthy. The best part of the trip was the driver on the Harrisburg - Union Station, DC leg of trip. He was an excellent communicator; and a safe, competent driver. Cons: Clean the bathrooms more frequently. Tips: Don't use the bathroom
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How much is a bus ticket from State College, PA to Washington DC?

Bus tickets for a trip from State College, PA to Washington DC cost $50.55 on average. Tickets cheaper than $50.55 are an excellent bargain. 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 State College, PA to Washington DC by travel date

$90$60$30AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from State College, PA to Washington DC in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $43 to $81. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 17, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Washington DC this week, bus tickets are available starting at $48.

Average bus ticket prices from State College, PA to Washington DC by month

$125$100$75$50$25JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from State College, PA to Washington DC is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $63. If you're planning to take the bus from State College, PA to Washington DC during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $102. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$2001020

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 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $42.33 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from State College to Washington?

There are multiple buses that travel from State College to Washington, including Greyhound, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound29h 59m$77.09
FlixBus US27h 46m$79.39
  • 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 2 bus trips from State College, PA to Washington, DC every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 59 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington, DC usually start from $45.97.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu
  • 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 State College, PA to Washington, DC, and the average ticket for this route costs only $79.39.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from State College to Washington

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from State College, PA to Washington DC 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 State College, PA to Washington DC; ticket prices start at $86.

TRIPS PER DAY

4

DIRECT TRIPS

0

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 137 miles from State College, PA to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 20 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

137

DISTANCE (KM)

221

The first bus leaves at 10:25am and the last bus leaves at 7:35pm. To see the times for all buses from State College, PA to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

10:25am

LATEST BUS

7:35pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from State College, PA to Washington DC 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Tuesday

City Information

State College, PA

State College, PA - SCL-0State College, PA - SCL-1State College, PA - SCL-2

State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).

One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.

If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.

While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.

Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.

Washington, DC

DCA-0DCA-1DCA-2

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.

D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in State College?

Main departure station: 152 N Atherton St.

State College, PA has two bus stations with service to Washington, DC.

All bus stations in State College:

  • 152 N Atherton St.
  • State College (Airport - SCE)

Where does the bus arrive in Washington?

Main arrival station: Union Station

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

All bus stations in Washington:

  • Union Station
  • Dupont Cir CT Ave

Need a return trip from Washington to State College?

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