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Chicago to Detroit bus

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Chicago - Detroit Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 14 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Detroit. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Detroit usually takes around 7 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 10 minutes.

Distance237 mi (381 km)
Shortest duration5h 10m
Cheapest price$20.75
Trips per day5
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Chicago to Detroit

(Based on 13 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Madison

November 23, 2022- Visiting friends

OurBus

Pros: very nice driver and bus! Cons: showing up to stop early! Tips: no.

4.0

Michael

September 22, 2022- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: Wasn’t crowded so I was able to sit alone. Cons: Clean bathroom and bus more frequent and change outlets so plugs stay in.

4.0

Jaden

January 2, 2022- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: That It is was a smooth ride. Cons: that the bus drivers show you respect and don’t give you attitude. Tips: No.

5.0

Erich Lei

November 28, 2021- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: Friendly drivers. Cons: Seat reservations-other passengers did not allow for a seatmate. I paid for two tickets but we only had 1 seat out of courtesy of some passengers. Tips: Arrive and board early.

5.0

Shamera

July 25, 2021- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: I like how the driver was driving and she got me back home quick. Quirkiest I’ve ever gotten home. I loved it. Cons: Nothing, everything was perfect! Tips: No.

Chicago to Detroit Route Map

Chicago Detroit

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Detroit?

Bus tickets for a trip from Chicago to Detroit cost $37.34 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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

$60$40$20MarApr

If you're planning to travel by bus from Chicago to Detroit in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $37 to $55. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 3, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Detroit this week, bus tickets are available starting at $39.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10AMJJASONDJFM
Taking the bus from Chicago to Detroit is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $38. If you're planning to take the bus from Chicago to Detroit during August, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $45. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

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 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $16.33 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Detroit?

There are 4 bus lines from Chicago to Detroit available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 11 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:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Barons Bus Lines28h 45m$76.50
FlixBus US16h 41m$38.37
Greyhound117h 32m$36.35
Tornado Bus419h 31m$223.75
  • Book Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Detroit from $75. There are 2 trips per day offered by Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Detroit and you can expect on average to pay for a Barons Bus Lines ticket to Detroit. In Chicago, Barons Bus Lines departs to Detroit from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St . In Detroit, Barons Bus Lines arrives at Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St .

    An average trip on Barons Bus Lines from Chicago to Detroit takes 8 hours and 45 minutes , while the fastest available Barons Bus Lines trip will get you to Detroit in 5 hours and 10 minutes .

    On weekends, Barons Bus Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Detroit.

  • 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 1 trips per day from Chicago 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 11 bus trips from Chicago to Detroit every day, with the average journey taking around 7 hours and 32 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Detroit usually start from $21.

  • 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

There are about 20 scheduled bus trips per day from Chicago to Detroit, with 4 carriers that operate this route. Out of 20 scheduled bus trips, 10 of them are direct connections to Detroit. Greyhound has the most scheduled bus trips with an average of 12 per day. Other carriers include, Megabus, Miller Transportation and Indian Trails.
By bus it takes an average of 5 hours from Chicago to Detroit. The cheapest average bus ticket costs about $24.69. By booking early, you can typically save about $11 versus booking the day before your trip.
Even though the distance between Detroit and Chicago isn’t too far (about 300 miles), an overnight stay or weekend trip to Detroit is probably better than a day-trip. Even if you were to take a bus or train, the ride is about 4.5 hours each way.

The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 36 minutes to cover the 237 miles from Chicago to Detroit. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 10 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Detroit 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, 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 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Detroit, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 14 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Detroit every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 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 Chicago to Detroit; ticket prices start at $27.00.

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.

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 Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Buses to Detroit leave from 5 stations in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

  • Dan Ryan Bus Station

  • Chicago Train Station Bus Stop

  • 3501 S California Ave

  • 3501 S California

Where does the bus arrive in Detroit?

Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St - DETGLI-0

Image credit: Dane

Link to image attribution

Main 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

  • 1938 Campbell St

Get around town with Moovit

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