- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, famous for dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and major family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Cheapest price
$37
Average price
$37
Fastest journey
3 h 40 m
Average duration
3 h 40 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
295 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC will cost around $37 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $37.
Of the 1 buses that leave North Plainfield, NJ for Washington, DC on Tue, May 26, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, May 26 the direct buses cover the 295 km distance in an average of 3 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 40 m .
On Tue, May 26 the slowest buses will take 3 h 40 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 North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $32. 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 bus costs an average of $32, and a flight costs an average of $190.
Distance: 183 miles (295 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$39 Average price Cheapest | $40 Average price | $227 Average price | $43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 18m Average total duration 3h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 48m Average total duration 5h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 26m Average total duration Fastest 1h 26m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 43m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC:
A bus is $1 (€0.86) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC costing on average $40 (€32).
A bus is $188 (€152) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC costing on average $227 (€183).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 48m.
Train takes on average 5h 18m.
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 Amtrak | Departure Time 02:38AM | Arrival Time 07:00AM | Duration 4h22 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator NJ Transit | Departure Time 06:50AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator NJ Transit | Departure Time 07:26AM | Arrival Time 02:25PM | Duration 6h59 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $80 |
Operator NJ Transit | Departure Time 08:33AM | Arrival Time 02:45PM | Duration 6h12 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator NJ Transit | Departure Time 09:08AM | Arrival Time 03:25PM | Duration 6h17 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator NJ Transit | Departure Time 10:08AM | Arrival Time 04:35PM | Duration 6h27 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator NJ Transit | Departure Time 10:46AM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 7h09 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator NJ Transit | Departure Time 11:46AM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 6h49 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:25PM | Arrival Time 02:05AM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:50PM | Arrival Time 03:30AM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $43 |
The table below shows live departures for North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC buses for today, Monday, May 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:25 PM North Plainfield, NJ | 3h40 | 2:05 AM Washington, DC | 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 North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC run on average 16 times per day, taking around 3h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $32 (€26) but you can travel from only $19 (€15) by train.
There are 10 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:35, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 183 miles (295 km) distance in 3h 40m.
Distance 183 miles (295 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€26) |
Buses per day 16 |
Direct buses 10 |
Fastest bus 3h 40m |
First bus 12:35 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Discover the best of Washington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Washington trip today.
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, famous for dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and major family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Premier art museum with masterworks from the Middle Ages to modern times, plus a celebrated sculpture garden and strong temporary exhibitions.
Iconic Smithsonian museum covering aviation and space exploration, with historic aircraft and spacecraft that make it a top draw in the city.
Washington’s signature civic landscape lined with museums and monuments, ideal for walking and the city’s top first-time visitor area.
Historic waterfront neighborhood known for cobblestone streets, rowhouses, shopping, and scenic walks along the canal and river.
Scenic walking area around the water framed by major memorials, especially famous during cherry blossom season.
Washington’s signature sausage, usually a coarse smoked pork-and-beef link served on a bun with chili, mustard, and onions. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet, tangy, slightly spicy sauce closely associated with Washington carryout culture, commonly served with fried chicken and fries. It is a distinctive local condiment.
An oversized late-night pizza slice popular in nightlife areas of Washington, especially Adams Morgan. It is a recognizable local fast-food tradition.
An established, upscale-casual saloon near the White House known for oysters, crab cakes, and other classic Washington and Mid-Atlantic dishes.
Acclaimed Indian restaurant known for refined cooking and a polished dining room. A standout for one of Washington’s most celebrated restaurant experiences.
One of Washington’s best-known restaurants, offering classic French bistro fare in an elegant, energetic space that is popular with locals and visitors.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining in central areas, though casual food is still manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis about 10-15%, and hotel staff a few dollars.
Official public transport app
Eastern Market/Pennsylvania Ave SE & 8th St SE, Washington, DC -> Metro Center Station, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from North Plainfield, NJ to Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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