- 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
$120
Average price
$186
Fastest journey
17 h 25 m
Average duration
19 h 45 m
Buses per day
8
Distance
956 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC to Chicago, IL will cost around $186 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $120.
Of the 8 buses that leave Washington, DC for Chicago, IL on Sat, Jul 11, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jul 11 the direct buses cover the 956 km distance in an average of 19 h 45 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 17 h 25 m .
On Sat, Jul 11 the slowest buses will take 1 d 35 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.

FlixBus · FlixBus
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· Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $71. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.3 - 0.9kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $71, and a flight costs an average of $94.
Distance: 594 miles (956 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$127 Average price Cheapest | $219 Average price | $372 Average price | $223 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
18h 52m Average total duration 18h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 19h 19m Average total duration 18h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 20m Average total duration Fastest 2h 20m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 10h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
1.0 - 2.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.3 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.9 - 5.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() 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 |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL:
A bus is $92 (€76) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average $219 (€180).
A bus is $244 (€201) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Chicago, IL costing on average $372 (€306).
Other travel options to Chicago, IL take longer:
Bus takes on average 18h 22m.
Train takes on average 18h 49m.
Tickets start at around $127 (€105) compared to roughly $223 (€183) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $95 (€78). The journey takes 18h 22m versus 10h 38m 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 01:50AM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 19h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $89 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:05AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 28h20 | Departure days Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $187 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 08:25AM | Duration 22h40 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $145 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 22h05 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $146 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 19h40 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $126 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 06:10AM | Duration 17h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $106 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:10PM | Arrival Time 01:45PM | Duration 24h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $116 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:35PM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 17h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $89 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 10:00AM | Duration 17h10 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:55PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 26h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $105 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 08:00AM | Duration 33h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $136 |
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Chicago, IL buses for today, Friday, July 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 1:20 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 17h50 | 6:10 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus+ · | 1:20 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 19h40 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 2 transfers | |
FlixBus+ · | 2:10 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 24h35 | 1:45 PM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 5:35 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 17h25 | 10:00 AM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
+ FlixBus+![]() | 6:55 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 26h10 | 8:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
· · · | 11:30 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 33h30 | 8:00 AM Chicago, Union Station (Amtrak), IL | 3 transfers | |
| Saturday, July 11 | |||||
![]() | 1:50 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 19h15 | 8:05 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:05 AM Washington, DuPont Circle (Connecticut Ave. NW / 20th St. NW) | 28h20 | 1:25 PM Chicago, Greyhound Bus Station | 2 transfers | |
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 Chicago, IL run on average 6 times per day, taking around 18h 22m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $71 (€59) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 594 miles (956 km) distance in 17h 25m.
Distance 594 miles (956 km) |
Average bus duration 18h 22m |
Cheapest ticket price $71 (€59) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 17h 25m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 6 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.
A top natural history museum known for Sue the T. rex, ancient cultures, fossils, and broad science collections.
A large hands-on science museum with a German submarine, space exhibits, and interactive engineering displays.
Chicago’s signature downtown park, home to Cloud Gate, gardens, public art, and major seasonal events.
The city’s best-known avenue for architecture, shopping, and bustling urban energy along North Michigan Avenue.
A popular pedestrian waterfront with excellent skyline views, bridges, and easy access to boat architecture tours.
A thick, buttery crust pizza baked in a deep pan with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce. It is one of Chicago’s most iconic and debated local specialties.
An all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with yellow mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. It is a classic local street food served without ketchup.
Thinly sliced seasoned roast beef piled onto an Italian roll, often dipped in its juices and topped with sweet peppers or giardiniera. It is a defining working-class Chicago sandwich.
Chicago’s world-famous fine-dining restaurant known for highly creative tasting menus and theatrical presentation. It offers one of the city’s most celebrated upscale dining experiences.
A beloved casual institution best known for breaded steak sandwiches and hearty Italian-American comfort food. It has a loyal local following and an old-school atmosphere.
A legendary Chicago chain celebrated for buttery-crust deep-dish pizza and a classic casual atmosphere. One of the city’s best-known places to try this signature dish.
Chicago is pricey for hotels and dining, but budget eats and public transit help keep daily costs manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 15-20% for taxis and rideshares; USD 1-2 per drink at bars; USD 1-2 per bag for bellhops; USD 2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC 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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