background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Milwaukee to Rockford bus

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android
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.

Milwaukee - Rockford Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00
No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Milwaukee to Rockford. Traveling by bus from Milwaukee to Rockford usually takes around 7 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance80 mi (129 km)
Shortest duration4h 50m
Cheapest price$36.83
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines1

What bus companies travel from Milwaukee to Rockford?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Milwaukee to Rockford. Greyhound 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
Greyhound27h 24m$47.32
  • 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 Milwaukee to Rockford every day, with the average journey taking around 7 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Rockford usually start from $37.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 23 minutes to cover the 80 miles from Milwaukee to Rockford. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 50 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.

Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Milwaukee to Rockford, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Milwaukee to Rockford. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Milwaukee to Rockford; ticket prices start at $49.00.

City Information

Milwaukee

Nestling on the banks of the great Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has some of the most scenic views around, making it every photographer’s perfect destination. Boasting 85 miles of scenic waterfront bike lanes, Milwaukee is the perfect spot to ride a bike and enjoy the sunset together with your friends. It is also the home of the Harley Davidson Museum, a vast waterfront gallery that offers 11 permanent exhibitions. The museum features not only bikes but also special items such as a whole engine room, making it a must-visit spot for bike enthusiasts. If you are not interested in bikes, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, which is modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, offers many wondrous shots.

Milwaukee’s famous German bratwursts are a must-try for all visitors, and the best place to enjoy this dish is Usinger’s. Other similar establishments include Mader’s and Milwaukee Public Market. For authentic American eats, Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-In offers amazing sloppy-joe burgers.

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the city’s main transportation hub. Visitors can catch both buses and trains at this location. The city is served by two airports. The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on the southern edge of the city handles commercial flights, while the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport in the northwest handles private flights.

Rockford

Rockford, IL - RCK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Rockford, IL - RCK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Milwaukee?

Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave  - MKEIMS-1

Image credit: Payton Chung

Link to image attribution
Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave  - MKEIMS-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the major transportation hub for rail and bus travel in Wisconsin. The station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the Midwest. It acts as a gateway for long-distance travel into the American West and also connects Milwaukee to the surrounding Midwest states via the Hiawatha service. Renovated in 2007, the Intermodal Station now also offers a range of intercity bus services from carriers, including Greyhound and Jefferson Lines. Local bus routes and The Hop streetcar service provide convenient local travel around Milwaukee. Located in the city’s downtown, The Intermodal Station has vast retail spaces, several museums, and pleasant waterways all on its doorstep.

All bus stations in Milwaukee:

  • Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Rockford?

Main arrival 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

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Rockford by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Rockford to Milwaukee?

Search Bus Tickets

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.

Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android