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Journey Information
There are 12 intercity buses per day from Milwaukee to Detroit. Traveling by bus from Milwaukee to Detroit usually takes around 11 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 252 mi (405 km) |
| Shortest duration | 8h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $40.20 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Milwaukee to Detroit
- FlixBus US: 4 daily buses from $42
- Greyhound: 7 daily buses from $38
- Indian Trails: 3 daily buses from $125
How much is a bus ticket from Milwaukee to Detroit?
Bus tickets for a trip from Milwaukee to Detroit cost $48.23 on average. Tickets cheaper than $48.23 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 prices by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Milwaukee to Detroit in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $47 to $74. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 16, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to Detroit this week, bus tickets are available starting at $50.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 25 days in advance to save up to $61.73.
What bus companies travel from Milwaukee to Detroit?
There are 3 bus lines from Milwaukee to Detroit available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 7 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 | 4 | 11h 47m | $69.91 |
| Greyhound | 7 | 10h 15m | $58.83 |
| Indian Trails | 3 | 20h 47m | $160.37 |
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 Milwaukee to Detroit, 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 7 bus trips from Milwaukee to Detroit every day, with the average journey taking around 10 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Detroit usually start from $38.
Book Indian Trails from Milwaukee to Detroit from $125. There are 3 trips per day offered by Indian Trails from Milwaukee to Detroit and you can expect on average to pay for a Indian Trails ticket to Detroit. In Milwaukee, Indian Trails departs to Detroit from Intermodal Station - 433 W ST Paul Ave . In Detroit, Indian Trails arrives at Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St .
An average trip on Indian Trails from Milwaukee to Detroit takes 20 hours and 47 minutes , while the fastest available Indian Trails trip will get you to Detroit in 8 hours and 20 minutes .
On weekends, Indian Trails offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Detroit.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 252 miles from Milwaukee to Detroit. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Milwaukee to Detroit 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 3:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Milwaukee to Detroit, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 12 scheduled buses that travel from Milwaukee to Detroit 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 Milwaukee to Detroit; ticket prices start at $53.00.
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.
Detroit
Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Art, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.
As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.
The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Milwaukee?
Image credit: Payton Chung
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionMain 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
Milwaukee (Downtown)
Mitchell Airport - 5300 S Howell Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Detroit?
Image credit: Dane
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St
Located near hip Corktown, the Detroit Greyhound Bus Station is minutes away from local breweries, diverse restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. Besides Greyhound, many other bus carriers serve this station, including Indian Trails, Barons Bus Lines, Miller Transportation, and Jefferson Lines. For travelers’ convenience, the station offers massive parking lots, clean restrooms, and lockers to rent. The station is a short walk from several local bus stops, and about a 15 minute walk from the closest light rail station to connect to neighborhoods throughout Detroit.
All bus stations in Detroit:
Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St
11 W Baltimore Ave
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