How can I travel from Chicago to Oakland without flying?

You can travel between these two cities by bus or train. The two options are easy and sustainable ways to reach Oakland. Another option is using carpool services and riding with fellow travelers.

How long does it take to get to Oakland from Chicago by bus?

The average travel time from Chicago to Oakland is about 2d 17h, but you can get there in as little as 2d 10h with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 1844 miles (2974 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from Chicago to Oakland?

The distance between the two cities is 1844 miles (2974 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Chicago to Oakland?

The majority of buses traveling from Chicago to Oakland start their journey at Downtown Greyhound Station and wind up at Emeryville Station. These are the main departure and arrival locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

What is the most affordable way to travel from Chicago to Oakland?

Go for the bus if you want the most affordable way to travel this route. With prices starting at $225, you won't find a cheaper way to get there.

How much are the bus tickets from Chicago to Oakland?

The average bus ticket price from Chicago to Oakland is $335. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $225 and $569, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

Is there an overnight bus from Chicago to Oakland?

Yes, it is possible to take an overnight bus from Chicago to Oakland. Remember to bring along essentials like a blanket and some snacks to ensure a cozy and convenient journey.

Chicago to Oakland Bus Tickets

Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to Oakland.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$225 - $569	Average Duration2d 17h	CO₂ emissions 74kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$278 - $1,870	Average Duration2d 11h	CO₂ emissions 270kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Chicago to Oakland

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Oakland. The journey takes about 2 days, 17 hours 25 minutes and with fares starting at just $225, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

20bus per day

2d 17hAverage Duration

$225Cheapest ticket

74kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Chicago to Oakland: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$335

Average bus trip duration2d 17h

Number of daily buses20

Earliest bus departure6:10am

Distance1842 miles (2970 km)

Latest bus departure11:50pm

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/586,945 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.

FlixBus

3.5/58,413 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Los Limousines, Tornado Bus, Valley Transit, New York Trailways, Wanda Coach

Chicago to Oakland Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Chicago to Oakland is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from Chicago to Oakland.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Oakland from Chicago, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Where are the popular stops in Chicago and Oakland?

Stops in Chicago

A - Downtown Greyhound Station

B - Chicago O'Hare International Airport

C - Polk St & Canal St

D - Tornado Bus S Kedzie Ave

E - Cumberland CTA

F - Turimex California Ave

Stops in Oakland

A - Emeryville Station

B - Greyhound Station

C - Oakland Bus Station

D - West Oakland BART Station

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - Oakland

How can I travel from Chicago to Oakland without flying?
How long does it take to get to Oakland from Chicago by bus?
What is the travel distance from Chicago to Oakland?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Chicago to Oakland?
What is the most affordable way to travel from Chicago to Oakland?
How much are the bus tickets from Chicago to Oakland?
Is there an overnight bus from Chicago to Oakland?

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from Chicago to Oakland.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you're bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from Chicago to Oakland.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from Chicago to Oakland.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Chicago to Oakland.

Did you know?

Did you know some bus companies in Germany offer to their passenger low-costs snacks and regional beer based on their destination? Prosit!

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

What's the cheapest way to go from Chicago to Oakland?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time2d 17h	Avg Price$335	Daily Departures20
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time2d 11h	Avg Price$489	Daily Departures6

Will you be returning to Chicago by bus?

Bus from Chicago to Oakland

You can also go to Oakland by train

Train from Chicago to Oakland

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travelers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Chicago, IL to Oakland, CA