- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and strong family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Cheapest price
$39
Average price
$44
Fastest journey
2 h 25 m
Average duration
2 h 40 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
188 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Petersburg, VA 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 Petersburg, VA to Washington, DC will cost around $44 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $39.
Of the 2 buses that leave Petersburg, VA for Washington, DC on Wed, Jun 10, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jun 10 the direct buses cover the 188 km distance in an average of 2 h 40 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .
On Wed, Jun 10 the slowest buses will take 2 h 55 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 Petersburg, VA to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $29. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 3h 13m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $29, and a flight costs an average of $258.
Distance: 116 miles (188 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$43 Average price Cheapest | $52 Average price | $407 Average price | $27 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 11m Average total duration 3h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 43m Average total duration Fastest 3h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 53m Average total duration 5h 53m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Petersburg, VA to Washington, DC:
A bus is $10 (€8) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Petersburg, VA to Washington, DC costing on average $52 (€43).
A bus is $364 (€297) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Petersburg, VA to Washington, DC costing on average $407 (€331).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 41m.
Flight takes on average 5h 53m.
You'll arrive about -2h -25m sooner (3h 41m by bus vs 2h 16m by car) and save roughly $-15.77 (€-12.84) compared to fuel and tolls ($43 (€35) vs $27 (€22)). 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 Greyhound, FlixBus.
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 08:10AM | Arrival Time 10:35AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:10PM | Arrival Time 02:35PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:10PM | Arrival Time 03:35PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:30PM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 08:25PM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 09:25PM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $38 |
The table below shows live departures for Petersburg, VA to Washington, DC buses for today, Tuesday, June 9. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:10 AM Petersburg, W Washington St (Petersburg Transit Center) | 2h25 | 10:35 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:30 PM Petersburg, W Washington St (Petersburg Transit Center) | 2h55 | 4:25 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 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 Petersburg, VA to Washington, DC run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 41m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $29 (€24) but you can travel from only $24 (€19) by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 19:05. The fastest bus covers the 116 miles (188 km) distance in 2h 25m.
Distance 116 miles (188 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 41m |
Cheapest ticket price $29 (€24) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 2h 25m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 7:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
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, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and strong family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Flagship Smithsonian museum exploring African American history, culture, and community through powerful permanent exhibitions and major national narratives.
Premier art museum with masterworks from the Middle Ages to the modern era, plus sculpture garden and rotating exhibitions in two landmark buildings.
Washington’s essential civic promenade lined with museums and monuments, ideal for first-time visitors and the city’s top walking experience.
Historic waterfront neighborhood known for charming streets, rowhouses, shopping, and canal-side walks; a classic area for exploring on foot.
Scenic reservoir loop famous for memorials and cherry blossoms, especially photogenic at sunrise, sunset, and spring bloom season.
Washington’s signature sausage, typically smoky and spicy, served on a bun with mustard, onions, and chili. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet-tangy sauce strongly associated with Washington carryout culture, often paired with fried chicken or wings. It is a distinctive local comfort-food staple.
Sweet blue crab from the Chesapeake region, commonly served steamed and heavily seasoned. It reflects the Mid-Atlantic seafood traditions closely tied to Washington.
A celebrated historic restaurant near the White House, known for oysters, crab cakes, and classic Washington political dining ambiance.
Widely acclaimed Indian restaurant with a polished atmosphere, famous for refined cooking and one of Washington’s best-known dining rooms.
Well-known French brasserie in Logan Circle, valued for its classic menu, energetic scene, and stylish long-established popularity.
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 with table service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 1-2 per bag for hotel staff.
Official public transport app
L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Petersburg, VA 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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