How can I travel from Chicago to San Francisco without flying?

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

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

The average travel time from Chicago to San Francisco is about 2d 10h, but the quickest bus can get you there in about 2d 4h. This is the time it takes to travel the 1852 miles (2987 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from Chicago to San Francisco?

The distance between the two cities is 1852 miles (2987 km).

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

The majority of buses traveling from Chicago to San Francisco start their journey at Downtown Greyhound Station and wind up at Hyde/Beach (Fisherman's Wharf). These are the primary departure and arrival locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.

What is the most affordable way to travel from Chicago to San Francisco?

The cheapest way to travel this route is by bus. The lowest price for the bus on this route is $109.

How much are the bus tickets from Chicago to San Francisco?

The average bus ticket price from Chicago to San Francisco is $225. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $109 and $645, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

What are the best sights and things to do in San Francisco?

Once in San Francisco, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco Cable Cars, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park and Lombard Street.

Is there an overnight bus from Chicago to San Francisco?

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

Chicago to San Francisco (CA), US Bus Tickets

FriApr 25

SatApr 26

SunApr 27

MonApr 28

TueApr 29

from $226

WedApr 30

ThuMay 1

FriMay 2

Cheap buses leaving Tuesday

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: April 29 at 10:30pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan
Arrival time: May 2 at 7:15am
Destination city: San Francisco
Destination location: San Francisco Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 10h
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: April 29 at 10:30pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 2 at 7:15am
Destination city: San Francisco
Destination location: San Francisco Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 10h
Departure time: April 29 at 10:30pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 2 at 7:15am
Destination city: San Francisco
Destination location: San Francisco Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 10h
Departure time: April 29 at 10:00pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: 537-517 W. Jackson Blvd
Arrival time: May 2 at 7:15am
Destination city: San Francisco
Destination location: San Francisco Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 11h

Accepted payments

Bus Chicago to San Francisco: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$225

Average bus trip duration2d 10h

Number of daily buses11

Earliest bus departure5:45am

Distance1849 miles (2981 km)

Latest bus departure11:50pm

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/586,942 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

3.5/58,379 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 San Francisco Bus

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

Bus service from Chicago to San Francisco will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

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 San Francisco

A - Hyde/Beach (Fisherman's Wharf)

B - Powell Station

C - Union Square Hilton

D - San Francisco Greyhound Station

E - 444 Townsend St.

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - San Francisco

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

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

04/21

$257

04/22

$227

Today

$193

04/24

$294

04/25

$190

04/26

$226

04/27

$159

04/28

No data

The cheapest trip from Chicago to San Francisco was searched and found on Apr 27, 2025 with a price of $159

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Chicago to San Francisco, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $159 to $522 for a bus ticket from Chicago to San Francisco based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $159 which is on 2025-04-27.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

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

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Chicago to San Francisco, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

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 San Francisco.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Chicago to San Francisco while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

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 San Francisco?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time2d 10h	Avg Price$225	Daily Departures11
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time2d 10h	Avg Price$261	Daily Departures4

Will you be returning to Chicago by bus?

Bus from Chicago to San Francisco

You can also go to San Francisco by train

Train from Chicago to San Francisco

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. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. 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 San Francisco, CA