Cheap bus tickets from McAllen to Chicago

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Bus from McAllen to Chicago: Journey Information

There are 13 intercity buses per day from McAllen to Chicago. Traveling by bus from McAllen to Chicago usually takes around 1 day, 14 hours, and 36 minutes, but the fastest Tornado Bus bus can make the trip in 1 day and 41 minutes.

Distance: 1239 mi (1994 km)
Shortest duration: 24h 41m
Cheapest price: NOK 1,198.76
Trips per day: 13
Most frequent service: Greyhound
Bus lines: 3

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McAllen to Chicago Bus Schedule

There are several bus options that can take you from McAllen to Chicago:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from McAllen to Chicago?

Bus tickets for a trip from McAllen to Chicago cost about NOK 1,392 when you book at the cheapest time, 10 days ahead. 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 McAllen to Chicago by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from McAllen to Chicago in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 1,483 to NOK 1,823. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on November 15, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Chicago this week, bus tickets are available starting at NOK 1,483.

Average bus ticket prices from McAllen to Chicago by month

Taking the bus from McAllen to Chicago is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only NOK 1,671. If you're planning to take the bus from McAllen to Chicago during February, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 2,540. 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 10 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 1,051.16 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from McAllen to Chicago?

There are 3 bus lines from McAllen to Chicago available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 9 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
FlixBus US	7	38h 33m	NOK 1,897.40
Greyhound	9	38h 44m	NOK 1,870.22
Tornado Bus	2	25h 44m	NOK 2,596.96

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 7 trips per day from McAllen to Chicago, and the average ticket for this route costs only NOK 1,897.40.
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 9 bus trips from McAllen to Chicago every day, with the average journey taking around 1 day, 14 hours, and 44 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Chicago usually start from NOK 1,198.76.
Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from McAllen to Chicago

There are 13 scheduled buses that travel from McAllen to Chicago 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.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 1 day, 14 hours, and 36 minutes to cover the 1,239 miles from McAllen to Chicago. However, the fastest bus only takes 1 day and 41 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)

1239

Distance (km)

1994

The first bus leaves at 6:35 AM and the last bus leaves at 11:00 PM. To see the times for all buses from McAllen to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Earliest bus

6:35am

Latest bus

11:00pm

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, 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.

Most crowded

Sunday

Least crowded

Monday

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 McAllen?

Main departure station: Tornado Bus Station

McAllen has two bus stations with service to Chicago.

All bus stations in McAllen:

Tornado Bus Station
1501 W Highway 83

Where does the bus arrive in Chicago?

Main arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Buses arrive in Chicago at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Chicago:

Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
Dan Ryan Bus Station
Chicago Train Station Bus Stop
3501 S California Ave

Need a return trip from Chicago to McAllen?

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