- 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
$200
Average price
$226
Fastest journey
1 d 13 h 10 m
Average duration
1 d 13 h 10 m
Buses per day
2
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 $226 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $200.
Of the 2 buses that leave New Brunswick, NJ for Chicago, IL on Thu, Jun 18, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 18 the direct buses cover the 1114 km distance in an average of 1 d 13 h 10 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 d 13 h 10 m .
On Thu, Jun 18 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 $32. 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 $32, and a train costs an average of $129.
Distance: 692 miles (1114 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$192 Average price | $299 Average price | $122 Average price Cheapest | $202 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 $70 (€56) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL costing on average $192 (€156).
A flight is $177 (€143) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL costing on average $299 (€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 02:00PM | Duration 37h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $118 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 23h10 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $120 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 25h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $281 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:10PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 28h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $146 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:55PM | Arrival Time 08:10PM | Duration 26h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $115 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 22h20 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $241 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:50PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 25h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $160 |
The table below shows live departures for New Brunswick, NJ to Chicago, IL buses for today, Tuesday, June 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:50 PM New Brunswick, NJ | 25h15 | 1:05 AM Chicago, IL | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, June 17 | |||||
![]() | 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 $100 (€81) but you can travel from only $32 (€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 $100 (€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 — 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.
Major natural history museum known for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, and large family-friendly science exhibits.
Large hands-on science museum in Hyde Park with a U-505 submarine, aviation exhibits, and immersive interactive displays.
Chicago’s signature public space, home to Cloud Gate and major events, with strong appeal for first-time visitors and photographers.
Scenic pedestrian route along the Chicago River, popular for architecture views, strolling, and social-media-friendly city scenes.
Famous stretch of North Michigan Avenue known for landmark architecture, flagship stores, and busy big-city energy.
Chicago’s iconic thick-crust pizza baked in a deep pan, layered with cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. It is one of the city’s most famous comfort foods.
An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, onions, neon relish, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. It is a classic local street food.
Thinly sliced roast beef piled onto an Italian roll, often dipped in seasoned jus and topped with sweet peppers or giardiniera. It is a defining Chicago sandwich.
A historic old-school steakhouse serving steaks, chops, and classic Italian-American dishes in a traditional setting.
Chicago’s internationally acclaimed fine-dining restaurant known for highly inventive tasting menus and exceptional service.
A long-established Chicago favorite known for buttery deep-dish pizza and a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.
Moderate by U.S. big-city standards. Hotels can be pricey downtown, but food and transit offer good value.
Tip 18-20% at sit-down restaurants; 20%+ for great service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 1-2 per bag for hotel staff.
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.

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