Cheap bus tickets from State College to Chicago
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:
State College to Chicago Bus Schedule
Bus from State College to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from State College to Chicago. Traveling by bus from State College to Chicago usually takes around 20 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 14 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 512 mi (824 km) |
| Shortest duration | 14h 15m |
| Cheapest price | DKK 415.04 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from State College to Chicago?
Bus tickets for a trip from State College to Chicago cost DKK 741.93 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Chicago. 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 to Chicago by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from State College to Chicago is expected to be between DKK 727 and DKK 1,090. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is November 6, 2025, when tickets are available for November 6, 2025. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just DKK 727.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
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 14 days in advance. This way, you can save up to DKK 229.84 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from State College to Chicago?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from State College to Chicago that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 3 | 17h 7m | DKK 788.44 |
| Greyhound | 6 | 20h 45m | DKK 805.82 |
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 3 trips per day from State College to Chicago, 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 6 bus trips from State College to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 20 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from DKK 496.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from State College to Chicago
The bus takes an average of 20 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 512 miles from State College to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 14 hours and 15 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.
Because many passengers travel from State College to Chicago 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, 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.
The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from State College to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from State College to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from State College to Chicago; ticket prices start at DKK 908.19.
City Information
State College
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.
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 State College?
Main departure station: 152 N Atherton St.
State College has two bus stations with service to Chicago.
All bus stations in State College:
152 N Atherton St.
State College (Airport - SCE)
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?
Main arrival station: Dan Ryan Bus Station
Buses arrive in Chicago at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in Chicago:
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Chicago to State College?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from State College
- State College to Hartford
DKK 775+
- State College to New Haven Bus
DKK 572+
- State College to Washington D.C.
DKK 400+
- State College to Boston Bus
DKK 654+
- State College to Baltimore Bus
DKK 454+
- Bus from State College to Newark
DKK 519+
- Bus from State College to Albany
DKK 555+
- Bus from State College to New York
DKK 476+
- Bus from State College to Rochester
DKK 621+
- State College to Allentown Bus
DKK 282+
- State College to Harrisburg Bus
DKK 184+
- State College to Indiana
DKK 337+
- Bus from State College to Johnstown
DKK 173+
- State College to King of Prussia Bus
DKK 367+
- Bus from State College to Philadelphia
DKK 417+
- State College to Pittsburgh
DKK 233+
- State College to Scranton
DKK 426+
- State College to Wilkes-Barre Bus
DKK 423+
Continue by bus from Chicago
- Chicago to Toronto Bus
DKK 497+
- Bus from Chicago to Montreal
DKK 1,526+
- Chicago to Aguascalientes Bus
DKK 1,922+
- Bus from Chicago to Zacatecas City
DKK 1,791+
- Chicago to West Palm Beach Bus
DKK 1,272+
- Chicago to Moline Bus
DKK 239+
- Bus from Chicago to Normal
DKK 255+
- Bus from Chicago to Fort Wayne
DKK 292+
- Chicago to Indianapolis
DKK 283+
- Chicago to Ann Arbor
DKK 294+
- Bus from Chicago to Detroit
DKK 299+
- Bus from Chicago to Kalamazoo
DKK 198+
- Chicago to Minneapolis Bus
DKK 425+
- Chicago to Charlotte Bus
DKK 941+
- Bus from Chicago to Austin
DKK 1,134+
- Chicago to Fort Worth
DKK 1,216+
- Chicago to Milwaukee
DKK 183+
Check out these popular routes
- Bus from Calgary to Edmonton
DKK 138+
- Bus from Edmonton to Calgary
DKK 126+
- Bus from Vancouver to Seattle
DKK 240+
- Toronto to Ottawa Bus
DKK 150+
- Bus from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia
DKK 136+
- Bus from Atlanta to New York
DKK 819+
- Boston to New York
DKK 173+
- Brooklyn to Washington D.C. Bus
DKK 251+
- Brooklyn to Philadelphia
DKK 57+
- Bus from New York to Montreal
DKK 567+
- Bus from New York to Atlanta
DKK 777+
- Bus from New York to Boston
DKK 167+
- Bus from New York to Buffalo
DKK 321+
- Bus from New York to Philadelphia
DKK 104+
- Philadelphia to Brooklyn Bus
DKK 97+
- Bus from Philadelphia to New York
DKK 106+
- Seattle to Vancouver Bus
DKK 240+
- Madison to Chicago Bus
DKK 238+
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.