- Must visit
Delaware Art Museum
Major art museum known for American art, British Pre-Raphaelite works, and a notable sculpture garden. A top cultural stop in Wilmington.
Cheapest price
$33
Average price
$37
Fastest journey
2 h 25 m
Average duration
3 h 15 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
159 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Washington, DC to Wilmington, DE 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 Wilmington, DE will cost around $37 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $33.
Of the 5 buses that leave Washington, DC for Wilmington, DE on Sun, May 31, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, May 31 the direct buses cover the 159 km distance in an average of 3 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .
On Sun, May 31 the slowest buses will take 4 h 20 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 Washington, DC to Wilmington, DE among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 23m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $12, and a flight costs an average of $222.
Distance: 98 miles (159 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$31 Average price | $27 Average price Cheapest | $471 Average price | $33 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 6m Average total duration 2h 36m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 53m Average total duration Fastest 1h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 54m Average total duration 1h 54m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 1m 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 Wilmington, DE:
A train is $4 (€3) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Washington, DC to Wilmington, DE costing on average $31 (€25).
A train is $445 (€358) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Wilmington, DE costing on average $471 (€380).
Other travel options to Wilmington, DE take longer:
Flight takes on average 1h 54m.
Bus takes on average 2h 36m.
Tickets start at around $31 (€25) compared to roughly $33 (€26) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $2 (€2). The journey takes 2h 36m versus 2h 1m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Greyhound.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:30AM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 10:55AM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 09:50AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $25 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:30AM | Arrival Time 09:55AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:30AM | Arrival Time 10:55AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $21 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30AM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:15PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 3h35 | Departure days Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator OurBus | Departure Time 05:00PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:15PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 3h35 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $34 |
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Wilmington, DE buses for today, Saturday, May 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3:30 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 2h25 | 5:55 AM Wilmington, Amtrak Station @ ML King-French | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:30 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 4h20 | 9:50 AM Wilmington, Amtrak Station @ ML King-French | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:15 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 3h35 | 4:50 PM Wilmington, Amtrak Station @ ML King-French | 0 transfersDirect | |
Bethany Line Tours LLC 4468146 MC-1763100 | 5:00 PM Washington, 19th St SE (Stadium-Armory Station) | 2h40 | 7:40 PM Newark, Christiana Mall (Mall Parking Lot Section D3), DE | 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 Washington, DC to Wilmington, DE run on average 3 times per day, taking around 2h 36m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $19 (€16) but you can travel from only $12 (€10) by train.
There are 3 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:01, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 98 miles (159 km) distance in 2h 0m.
Distance 98 miles (159 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 36m |
Cheapest ticket price $19 (€16) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 3 |
Fastest bus 2h 0m |
First bus 12:01 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Wilmington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Wilmington trip today.
Major art museum known for American art, British Pre-Raphaelite works, and a notable sculpture garden. A top cultural stop in Wilmington.
Museum and historic site on the original DuPont gunpowder works with riverside industrial exhibits, gardens, and restored mills.
Family-friendly science museum with regional nature exhibits, dinosaurs, shells, and hands-on displays near Wilmington.
The city's most popular modern leisure district with a scenic riverwalk, public art, entertainment venues, and easy strolling.
Large Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park area with trails, river views, bridges, and one of Wilmington's best walking settings.
Historic downtown corridor lined with restored buildings, theaters, shops, and frequent events. A core area for urban exploring.
Slow-smoked pork shoulder, usually chopped or pulled and dressed with tangy vinegar-based barbecue sauce. It is one of the region's signature foods.
Whole-hog style barbecue seasoned with a thin vinegar and pepper sauce. This historic coastal Carolina tradition is central to local food culture.
Lightly battered and fried local seafood, a style from nearby coastal North Carolina. Shrimp, fish, and oysters are common and widely loved around Wilmington.
Upscale downtown restaurant focused on North Carolina ingredients, local seafood, and refined Southern cooking in a polished setting.
Popular local seafood restaurant known for shrimp and grits, oyster dishes, and dependable coastal favorites in a relaxed atmosphere.
Established downtown spot serving Southern comfort food, brunch, and regional classics in a casual historic setting.
Moderate for U.S. travel. Hotels vary by season, while casual dining and coffee are reasonably priced.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Wilmington, DE 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 Wilmington, DE, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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