4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA
Cheapest price
$109
Average price
$109
Fastest journey
17 h 50 m
Average duration
17 h 50 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
407 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA will cost around $109 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $109.
Of the 1 buses that leave Chicago, IL for Ottumwa, IA on Sat, Jun 20, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 407 km distance in an average of 17 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 17 h 50 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 17 h 50 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.
4:10 AM17h50Chicago, IL10:00 PMOttumwa, IA$1091One-way0 transfers
- 4:10 AM17h50Chicago, IL10:00 PMOttumwa, IA$1091One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, flight, and bus for Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $48. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 26m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $48, and a flight costs an average of $146.
Distance: 252 miles (407 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$128 Average price | $96 Average price Cheapest | $242 Average price | $60 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
18h 20m Average total duration 17h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 26m Average total duration 4h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 26m Average total duration Fastest 1h 26m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA:
A train is $32 (€26) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA costing on average $128 (€104).
A train is $146 (€119) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA costing on average $242 (€197).
Other travel options to Ottumwa, IA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 56m.
Bus takes on average 17h 50m.
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.
Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:10AM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 17h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $109 |
Live departures
Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA buses for tomorrow, Sunday, June 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:10 AM Chicago, IL | 17h50 | 10:00 PM Ottumwa, IA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA by train, flight, or bus
Compare train, flight, and bus 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.
Jun 14
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Jun 20
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA
USAUSA
Buses from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 17h 50m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $97 (€78) but you can travel from only $48 (€39) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 06:25, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 252 miles (407 km) distance in 17h 50m.
Distance 252 miles (407 km) |
Average bus duration 17h 50m |
Cheapest ticket price $97 (€78) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 17h 50m |
First bus 6:25 AM |
Last bus 11:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
FAQs: Bus from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA 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 Ottumwa, IA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA
Most popular bus connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Ottumwa, IA
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Most popular buses to and from Ottumwa, IA and Chicago, IL
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