Bus from Washington, DC, US to Chicago: Tickets & Timetables

Next departures

Next departures from Washington to Chicago on 16 December
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Hyattsville New Carrollton Bus Stop
Chicago 95Th & Dan RyanCheapest
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Union Station
Downtown Greyhound StationFastest
Amtrak
Union Station
Chicago (Union Station), ILNo tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Union Station
Downtown Greyhound StationNo tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Arlington (Rosslyn), 1001 Wilson Blvd.
Downtown Greyhound StationNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 2:55 AM EST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from Washington to Chicago

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 1 day, 25 minutes and with fares starting at just R 1 058, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

40bus per day
1d Average duration
960 kmDistance
24kgCO₂ emissions
Average priceR 1 058 - R 7 741Average duration1d
24kg CO₂e
Average priceR 1 292 - R 27 032Average duration1d
87kg CO₂e

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Washington, DC, US to Chicago by bus

Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.

  1. How much is the bus ticket from Washington to Chicago?

    The cheapest bus tickets from Washington to Chicago start at R 1 058. The average price for this route is around R 1 982. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.

  2. How long is the bus journey from Washington to Chicago?

    The average bus journey time from Washington to Chicago is 1d , covering a distance of 960 km. The fastest bus gets you there in 17h 10m and is operated by FlixBus.

  3. Which bus companies service the Washington to Chicago route?

    Several major bus companies operate on this route with 40 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, FlixBus, Amtrak.

  4. What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Washington to Chicago?

    The earliest bus departs from Washington to Chicago at 00:05. And the latest bus departs at 23:59.

  5. What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Washington to Chicago?

    A bus trip from Washington to Chicago produces an estimated 24 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and Busbud’s recommended way to travel.

  6. What is the best bus company from Washington to Chicago?

    According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5627 reviews.

  7. Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Washington to Chicago?

    Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Amtrak has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.

  8. Which bus company offers the most punctual service from Washington to Chicago?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

  9. Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Washington to Chicago?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Amtrak, with a cleanliness rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
13/12
R 1 418
14/12
R 1 469
Today
R 1 504
16/12
R 2 057
17/12
R 1 469
18/12
R 1 418
19/12
R 1 469
20/12
R 1 469
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Washington, DC, US to Chicago was searched and found on 13 Dec 2025 with a price of R 1 418

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Washington, DC, US to Chicago as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from R 1 418 to R 19 962 for a bus ticket from Washington, DC, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 1 418, which is on 2025-12-18.

Usually Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

What's the cheapest way to go from Washington, DC, US to Chicago?

busbud logoThe bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

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