- Must visit
Art Institute of Chicago
World-class art museum with masterpieces from Monet to Hopper and the famous Modern Wing.
Cheapest price
€121
Average price
€162
Fastest journey
22 h 20 m
Average duration
1 d 3 h 33 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
1114 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from New Brunswick, NJ 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 New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL will cost around €162 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €121.
Of the 3 buses that leave New Brunswick, NJ for Chicago, IL on Sat, Aug 01, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 01 the direct buses cover the 1114 km distance in an average of 1 d 3 h 33 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 22 h 20 m .
On Sat, Aug 01 the slowest buses will take 1 d 13 h 10 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.






Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from €26. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 37m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of €26, and a train costs an average of €104.
Distance: 692 miles (1114 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€156 Average price | €242 Average price | €99 Average price Cheapest | €164 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
24h 50m Average total duration 24h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 20h 37m Average total duration 20h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 37m Average total duration Fastest 2h 37m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 12h 3m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL:
A flight is €56 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL costing on average €156.
A flight is €143 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL costing on average €242.
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Train takes on average 20h 7m.
Bus takes on average 24h 20m.
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.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:50AM | Arrival Time 02:05AM | Duration 25h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €96 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 06:10AM | Duration 23h10 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €106 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 25h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €129 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:10AM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 23h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €110 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 23h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €121 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 28h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price €118 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:05PM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 22h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €106 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 26h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price €93 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:00PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 25h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €108 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 22h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €196 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:50PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 25h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €129 |
The table below shows live departures for New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL buses for today, Friday, July 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:55 PM New Brunswick, NJ | 26h15 | 8:10 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:50 PM New Brunswick, NJ | 25h15 | 1:05 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, August 1 | |||||
![]() | 12:50 AM New Brunswick, NJ | 37h10 | 2:00 PM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL run on average 4 times per day, taking around 24h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €81 but you can travel from only €26 by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 05:45, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 692 miles (1114 km) distance in 22h 20m.
Distance 692 miles (1114 km) |
Average bus duration 24h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price €81 |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 22h 20m |
First bus 5:45 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Chicago, IL — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Chicago, IL trip today.
World-class art museum with masterpieces from Monet to Hopper and the famous Modern Wing.
Major natural history museum with Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, and strong family appeal.
Hands-on science museum in a grand former fair building, popular for exhibits and a U-505 submarine.
Lively lakefront park with Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, gardens, and major public art in central Chicago.
Famous shopping boulevard lined with architecture, hotels, riverfront views, and major city energy.
Scenic pedestrian-friendly riverwalk with boat docks, public art, bridges, and standout skyline perspectives.
Deep-dish pizza is Chicago’s iconic pie with a tall buttery crust, layers of cheese and toppings, and chunky tomato sauce baked on top.
The Chicago-style hot dog is an all-beef frank on a poppy seed bun with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle, peppers, and celery salt.
Italian beef is thin-sliced roast beef piled onto a roll, often dipped in savory juices and topped with sweet peppers or spicy giardiniera.
Classic spot for juicy Italian beef sandwiches, especially dipped and topped with spicy giardiniera, with a casual local feel.
Legendary stand for Chicago-style hot dogs and char-grilled sausages, served fast in a no-frills local landmark.
World-famous fine dining destination offering a highly creative tasting menu and refined service in an elegant setting.
Moderate for a major US city: hotels can be pricey, but transit is affordable and dining ranges from cheap eats to upscale options.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, 10-15% for taxis, and optional small change at cafes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from New Brunswick, NJ 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 New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL buses use the New Brunswick, French Street (Across New Brunswick train station) to Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak). Use this guide to compare New Brunswick, NJ 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