Cheap bus tickets from Nashville to Chicago
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Bus from Nashville to Chicago: Journey Information
There are 20 intercity buses per day from Nashville to Chicago. Traveling by bus from Nashville to Chicago usually takes around 11 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 55 minutes.
- Distance
- 398 mi (640 km)
- Shortest duration
- 8h 55m
- Cheapest price
- NOK 481.43
- Trips per day
- 20
- Most frequent service
- Greyhound
- Bus lines
- 3
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Nashville to Chicago Bus Schedule

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Average score for buses from Nashville to Chicago (Based on 8 ratings and reviews)
4.0
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There are several bus options that can take you from Nashville to Chicago:
- Amtrak Thruway: 2 daily buses from NOK 1,190
- FlixBus US: 4 daily buses from NOK 481
- Greyhound: 16 daily buses from NOK 481
How much is a bus ticket from Nashville to Chicago?
Bus tickets for a trip from Nashville to Chicago cost about NOK 812 when you book at the cheapest time, 7 days ahead. 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 Nashville to Chicago by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Nashville to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 661 to NOK 1,133. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 7, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at NOK 812.
Average bus ticket prices from Nashville to Chicago by month
Taking the bus from Nashville to Chicago is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only NOK 859. If you're planning to take the bus from Nashville to Chicago during April, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 1,020. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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 7 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 349.03 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Nashville to Chicago?
There are 3 bus lines from Nashville to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 16 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 2 | 10h 17m | NOK 1,189.88 |
| FlixBus US | 4 | 10h 15m | NOK 849.78 |
| Greyhound | 16 | 11h 26m | NOK 940.74 |
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 Nashville to Chicago start at NOK 1,189.88. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
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 4 trips per day from Nashville to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only NOK 849.78.






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 16 bus trips from Nashville to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 26 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from NOK 481.43.






Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Nashville to Chicago
There are 20 scheduled buses that travel from Nashville to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 16 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Trips per day
20
Direct trips
16
The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 1 minute to cover the 398 miles from Nashville to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 hours and 55 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)
398
Distance (km)
640
The first bus leaves at 12:05 AM and the last bus leaves at 10:15 PM. To see the times for all buses from Nashville to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest bus
12:05am
Latest bus
10:15pm
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Chicago 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
Most crowded
Sunday
Least crowded
Wednesday
City Information
Nashville



Nashville may be the capital of the state of Tennessee, but it’s actually much more famous as the country music capital of the world. If you are a fan of country music, or music in general, Nashville is a must-visit destination. Here you can visit several one-of-a-kind museums dedicated to the genre and attend amazing live performances every day at pretty much every bar or venue across town.
There are two places that you absolutely must visit while you’re in town: the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum (for obvious reasons), and the legendary Grand Ole Opry House, known as country’s most famous stage. Once you get those out of the way, head over to Broadway and snatch yourself a pair of cowboy boots before embarking on a tour of the many bars and restaurants that make up Nashville’s most famous street.
And if you’re looking to escape the country-ness of it all, you might want to head over to East Nashville where you will find hip new restaurants and bars full of young and artistic crowds. It’s definitely worth checking out the area, if only for the several Insta-ready murals you will find there.
While there is no Amtrak train service that goes to Nashville, there are several bus carriers that serve the city and the main bus station is located very conveniently downtown, not too far from all the hustle and bustle of Music City. The Nashville International Airport is located on the outskirts of the city, but there is a direct bus transit service that will take you from there all the way to the heart of town.
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 Nashville?
Main departure station: Greyhound: Bus Station
The primary bus station in Nashville is in the heart of the SoBro (“South of Broadway”) neighborhood, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and music venues. From this station, you can catch Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, and Amtrak Thruway buses offering trips to destinations throughout the United States. To make traveling stress-free, this station is open 24 hours a day and includes restrooms, vending machines, and charging stations for your phone.
All bus stations in Nashville:
- Greyhound: Bus Station
Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?
Main arrival station: Dan Ryan Bus Station
Buses arrive in Chicago at 4 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
- Union Station
Need a return trip from Chicago to Nashville?
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