The cheapest and fastest buses from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL
Cheapest price
$371
Average price
$371
Fastest journey
2 d 15 h 5 m
Average duration
2 d 15 h 5 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
2968 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL will cost around $371 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $371.
Of the 1 buses that leave Berkeley, CA for Chicago, IL on Tue, May 26, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct buses cover the 2968 km distance in an average of 2 d 15 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 d 15 h 5 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest buses will take 2 d 15 h 5 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
6:20 AM63h05Berkeley, CA9:25 PMChicago, IL$3711One-way0 transfers
6:20 AM63h05Berkeley, CA9:25 PMChicago, IL$3711One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $171. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 12h 30m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $171, and a train costs an average of $291.
Distance: 1844 miles (2968 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$417 Average price | $496 Average price | $254 Average price Cheapest | $433 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
47h 30m Average total duration 47h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 52h 36m Average total duration 52h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 15h 30m Average total duration Fastest 12h 30m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 30h 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL:
A flight is $163 (€132) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $417 (€337).
A flight is $242 (€196) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $496 (€402).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 47h 0m.
Train takes on average 52h 6m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 63h05 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $371 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 54h55 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $424 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 48h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $404 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 48h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $467 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:05PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 48h20 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $368 |
Live departures
Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL bus times
The table below shows live departures for Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL buses for today, Sunday, May 24. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:05 PM Berkeley, CA | 48h20 | 10:25 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
May 25
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Why should you book Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Greyhound with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL
Buses from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL run on average 10 times per day, taking around 47h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $368 (€297) but you can travel from only $171 (€138) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 1844 miles (2968 km) distance in 48h 20m.
Distance 1844 miles (2968 km) |
Average bus duration 47h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $368 (€297) |
Buses per day 10 |
Fastest bus 48h 20m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Bus providers: Greyhound from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, ILYou can travel by bus between Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL with Greyhound for as low as $171 (€138). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Chicago, IL, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Millennium Park, a public park known for its modern art installations and the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture
- Art Institute of Chicago, a renowned museum housing an extensive collection of art from around the world
- Navy Pier, a popular entertainment destination featuring rides, restaurants, and lakefront views
- Willis Tower Skydeck, an observation deck offering panoramic views of the city from one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere
- Field Museum, a natural history museum with vast exhibits including the famous T. rex skeleton, Sue.
- Museum of Science and Industry, an interactive museum featuring exhibits on science, technology, and industry
- Explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Chicago, such as Wicker Park and Lincoln Park, known for their unique shops and eateries
- Take a river cruise to see the city's iconic architecture from a different perspective
- Attend a live performance at the historic Chicago Theatre
- Enjoy a day at Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the U.S., offering free admission.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL
Most popular bus connections from Berkeley, CA
More options for your journey from Berkeley, CA to Chicago, IL
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