- Must visit
Art Institute Of Chicago
One of the world’s leading art museums, famous for Impressionist masterpieces, American art, and major special exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$223
Average price
$270
Fastest journey
1 d 20 h 25 m
Average duration
2 d 2 h 34 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
2802 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL will cost around $270 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $223.
It's difficult to get from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL without transferring at least once.
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· · Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $83. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 1m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.8 - 2.5kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $83, and a bus costs an average of $139.
Distance: 1741 miles (2802 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$349 Average price | $327 Average price | $260 Average price Cheapest |
47h 14m Average total duration 46h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 48h 35m Average total duration 48h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 1m Average total duration Fastest 5h 1m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
2.8 - 7.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 8.4 - 16.8kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL:
A flight is $67 (€55) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $327 (€269).
A flight is $89 (€73) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL costing on average $349 (€287).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 46h 44m.
Train takes on average 48h 5m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:35AM | Arrival Time 01:45PM | Duration 59h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $188 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 44h25 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $350 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 10:25PM | Duration 44h25 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $507 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 09:10AM | Duration 50h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $174 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:50AM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 60h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $356 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 60h20 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $465 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:35AM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 52h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $198 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:55PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 49h10 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $196 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 04:20AM | Duration 60h35 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $199 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 52h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $399 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 44h25 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $177 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:20PM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 64h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $278 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 54h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $179 |
The table below shows live departures for Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL buses for today, Saturday, July 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· · · | 12:35 AM Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA | 59h10 | 1:45 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 3 transfers | |
FlixBus+ + FlixBus | 9:35 AM Los Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA | 52h30 | 4:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
+ FlixBus | 12:55 PM Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA | 49h10 | 4:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+ · · | 1:45 PM Los Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA | 60h35 | 4:20 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 4 transfers | |
FlixBus+ · · | 1:45 PM Los Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes, CA | 64h15 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 4 transfers | |
· · | 6:00 PM Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA | 44h25 | 4:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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.
Buses from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL run on average 9 times per day, taking around 46h 44m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $139 (€114) but you can travel from only $83 (€68) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 00:15, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 1741 miles (2802 km) distance in 44h 25m.
Distance 1741 miles (2802 km) |
Average bus duration 46h 44m |
Cheapest ticket price $139 (€114) |
Buses per day 9 |
Fastest bus 44h 25m |
First bus 12:15 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Chicago — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chicago trip today.
One of the world’s leading art museums, famous for Impressionist masterpieces, American art, and major special exhibitions.
A top natural history museum known for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, fossils, and broad science collections.
A large hands-on science museum with a German submarine, space exhibits, and interactive engineering displays.
Chicago’s signature downtown park, home to Cloud Gate, gardens, public art, and major seasonal events.
The city’s best-known avenue for architecture, shopping, and bustling urban energy along North Michigan Avenue.
A popular pedestrian waterfront with excellent skyline views, bridges, and easy access to boat architecture tours.
A thick, buttery crust pizza baked in a deep pan with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. It is one of Chicago’s most iconic and debated local specialties.
An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with yellow mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. It is a classic local street food served without ketchup.
Thinly sliced seasoned roast beef piled onto an Italian roll, often dipped in its juices and topped with sweet peppers or giardiniera. It is a defining working-class Chicago sandwich.
Chicago’s world-famous fine-dining restaurant known for highly creative tasting menus and theatrical presentation. It offers one of the city’s most celebrated upscale dining experiences.
A beloved casual institution best known for breaded steak sandwiches and hearty Italian-American comfort food. It has a loyal local following and an old-school atmosphere.
A legendary Chicago chain celebrated for buttery-crust deep-dish pizza and a classic casual atmosphere. One of the city’s best-known places to try this signature dish.
Chicago is pricey for hotels and dining, but budget eats and public transit help keep daily costs manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 15-20% for taxis and rideshares; USD 1-2 per drink at bars; USD 1-2 per bag for bellhops; USD 2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Los Angeles, 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.

Most Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL buses use the Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station) to Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak). Use this guide to compare Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need