- Must visit
Palmer Museum of Art
Penn State’s art museum with strong American art, contemporary works, and rotating exhibitions in a major new building on campus.
Cheapest price
$97
Average price
$106
Fastest journey
5 h 25 m
Average duration
9 h 23 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
222 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Washington, DC to State College, PA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to State College, PA will cost around $106 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $97.
It's difficult to get from Washington, DC to State College, PA without transferring at least once.
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FlixBus
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FlixBus
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· Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to State College, PA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $52. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 26m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $52, and a flight costs an average of $246.
Distance: 137 miles (222 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$97 Average price Cheapest | $173 Average price | $414 Average price | $40 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 49m Average total duration 5h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 28m Average total duration 5h 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 26m Average total duration Fastest 4h 26m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 31m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to State College, PA:
A bus is $76 (€61) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to State College, PA costing on average $173 (€139).
A bus is $317 (€255) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to State College, PA costing on average $414 (€334).
Other travel options to State College, PA take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 19m.
Train takes on average 5h 58m.
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 01:50AM | Arrival Time 12:20PM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:30AM | Arrival Time 01:15PM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:50AM | Arrival Time 05:40PM | Duration 11h50 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $54 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 06:40PM | Duration 12h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:50AM | Arrival Time 05:20PM | Duration 10h30 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:55PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 12:20AM | Duration 8h25 | Departure days Wed, Fri | Cheapest price $68 |
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to State College, PA buses for today, Sunday, May 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
· + FlixBus | 10:55 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 5h25 | 4:20 PM State College, Fox Hill Rd (Regional Airport), PA | 2 transfers | |
· · | 10:55 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 8h25 | 7:20 PM State College, N Atherton St (Greyhound Bus Station), PA | 2 transfers | |
| Monday, June 1 | |||||
· | 1:50 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 10h30 | 12:20 PM State College, N Atherton St (Greyhound Bus Station), PA | 1 transfer | |
· | 1:50 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 11h50 | 1:40 PM State College, N Atherton St (Greyhound Bus Station), PA | 1 transfer | |
· | 3:30 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 9h45 | 1:15 PM State College, N Atherton St (Greyhound Bus Station), PA | 1 transfer | |
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 Washington, DC to State College, PA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 5h 19m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $52 (€42) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 137 miles (222 km) distance in 4h 45m.
Distance 137 miles (222 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price $52 (€42) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 4h 45m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of State College — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect State College trip today.
Penn State’s art museum with strong American art, contemporary works, and rotating exhibitions in a major new building on campus.
Museum inside Beaver Stadium covering Penn State athletics history, legendary teams, and memorabilia tied to the university’s sports culture.
Regional art museum in nearby Bellefonte with local history and changing exhibitions, popular for a short side trip from State College.
Beautiful botanical garden and walking area with seasonal plantings, sculptures, and the popular H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens.
Lively core of the town with shops, public art, events, and a walkable college-town atmosphere centered around campus edges.
Popular viewpoint area reached by hiking trails, offering one of the best panoramic perspectives over the State College region.
Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream is the town's signature treat, made from the university's long dairy tradition and famous for rich classic flavors.
A central Pennsylvania breakfast pastry made from sweet dough baked in caramel and cinnamon, often served warm with cream or ice cream.
A Pennsylvania Dutch favorite pairing crisp fried chicken with waffles, balancing savory and sweet in a dish widely loved in the region.
The iconic Penn State ice cream destination, best for classic scoops, milkshakes, and a true State College food experience.
A beloved local breakfast institution famous for hearty morning plates, waffles, and regional comfort food in a casual setting.
A well-known local pizzeria serving wood-fired pizzas, pasta, and sandwiches in a lively, reliable neighborhood atmosphere.
Prices are moderate by U.S. standards. Casual dining is affordable, while hotels and events can cost more on busy university weekends.
Tip 15-20% in restaurants before tax; 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or add 10-15% for taxis, and tip hotel staff if helped.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to State College, PA 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 State College, PA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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