The cheapest and fastest buses from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Cheapest price
$525
Average price
$548
Fastest journey
2 d 13 m
Average duration
2 d 7 h 4 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
2737 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA 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 Riverside, CA will cost around $548 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $525.
It's difficult to get from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA without transferring at least 3 times.
4:30 PM48h13Chicago, IL4:43 PMRiverside, CA$5251One-way4 transfers
12:15 AM61h38Chicago, IL1:53 PMRiverside, CA$5351One-way3 transfers
12:15 AM55h20Chicago, IL7:35 AMRiverside, CA$5851One-way4 transfers
4:30 PM48h13Chicago, IL4:43 PMRiverside, CA$5251One-way4 transfers
12:15 AM55h20Chicago, IL7:35 AMRiverside, CA$5851One-way4 transfers
12:15 AM61h38Chicago, IL1:53 PMRiverside, CA$5351One-way3 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $107. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 8h 41m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $107, and a bus costs an average of $198.
Distance: 1700 miles (2737 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$299 Average price | $292 Average price | $222 Average price Cheapest | $400 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
41h 5m Average total duration 40h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 42h 16m Average total duration 41h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 41m Average total duration Fastest 8h 41m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 28h 38m 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 Riverside, CA:
A flight is $70 (€58) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA costing on average $292 (€239).
A flight is $77 (€63) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA costing on average $299 (€245).
Other travel options to Riverside, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 40h 35m.
Train takes on average 41h 46m.
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 Riverside, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 12:15AM | Arrival Time 09:51AM | Duration 57h36 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $535 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 55h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $198 |
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 08:14AM | Duration 63h44 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $525 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:45PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 50h40 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $279 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 48h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $481 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:15PM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 48h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $265 |
Live departures
Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA buses for tomorrow, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:15 AM Chicago, IL | 55h20 | 7:35 AM Riverside, CA | 4 transfers | |
![]() | 12:15 AM Chicago, IL | 61h38 | 1:53 PM Riverside, CA | 3 transfers | |
![]() | 4:30 PM Chicago, IL | 48h13 | 4:43 PM Riverside, CA | 4 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA 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.
Jun 20
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Jun 26
Why should you book Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- 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 FlixBus with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Buses from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 40h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $198 (€162) but you can travel from only $107 (€88) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 1700 miles (2737 km) distance in 48h 10m.
Distance 1700 miles (2737 km) |
Average bus duration 40h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price $198 (€162) |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 48h 10m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 3 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CAYou can travel by bus between Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA with FlixBus for as low as $107 (€88). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA 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 Riverside, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
Most popular bus connections from Chicago, IL
More options for your journey from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA
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