Is there a way to reach Chicago from San Francisco without flying?

The best way to travel from San Francisco to Chicago is by bus. Traveling by bus offers a budget-friendly, secure, and easy way to go between the two cities. Taking a ride with other travelers through carpool services is an additional option to consider.

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

The average travel time from San Francisco to Chicago is about 2d 18h, although the minimum time it takes to get there is 2d 5h with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 1852 miles (2987 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between San Francisco and Chicago?

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

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

If you're headed to Chicago from San Francisco, chances are that your bus will depart from Hyde/Beach (Fisherman's Wharf) and arrive at Downtown Greyhound Station. These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you can find others that could fit better into your travel plans.

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

You can save a lot of money on your trip from San Francisco to Chicago by choosing to travel by bus. The lowest price for the bus on this route is $128.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from San Francisco to Chicago?

The average bus ticket price from San Francisco to Chicago is $249. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $128 and $678, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

What are the best sights and things to do in Chicago?

Once in Chicago, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Brookfield Zoo, Willis Tower (Sears Tower), Cloud Gate, Navy Pier and Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from San Francisco to Chicago?

Yes, it is possible to take an overnight bus from San Francisco to Chicago. Don't forget to bring a snack and a blanket to help you stay comfortable through the night.

San Francisco (CA), US to Chicago Bus Tickets

WedApr 30

from $229

ThuMay 1

FriMay 2

SatMay 3

SunMay 4

MonMay 5

TueMay 6

WedMay 7

Next departures to Chicago

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: April 30 at 11:35am
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: San Francisco Bus Station
Arrival time: May 2 at 8:10pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 6h
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: April 30 at 6:55am
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
Arrival time: May 2 at 2:39pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 5h
Departure time: April 30 at 6:55am
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
Arrival time: May 2 at 2:39pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 5h
Departure time: April 30 at 1:30pm
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: San Francisco Bus Station
Arrival time: May 3 at 7:55am
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: 537-517 W. Jackson Blvd
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 16h
Departure time: April 30 at 6:55am
Departure city: San Francisco
Departure location: Mission St & Fremont St
Arrival time: May 2 at 2:39pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Chicago (Union Station), IL
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 5h

Accepted payments

Bus San Francisco to Chicago: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$249

Average bus trip duration2d 18h

Number of daily buses8

Earliest bus departure6:30am

Distance1849 miles (2982 km)

Latest bus departure11:25pm

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/586,950 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

3.5/58,432 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.

Amtrak

4/55,082 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

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

San Francisco to Chicago Bus

Busbud helps you find a bus from San Francisco to Chicago. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

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

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from San Francisco to Chicago, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in San Francisco and Chicago?

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.

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

Frequently asked questions for your trip San Francisco - Chicago

Is there a way to reach Chicago from San Francisco without flying?
How long does it take to get to Chicago from San Francisco by bus?
What is the distance between San Francisco and Chicago?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from San Francisco to Chicago?
What is the most affordable way to go from San Francisco to Chicago?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from San Francisco to Chicago?
What are the best sights and things to do in Chicago?
Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from San Francisco to Chicago?

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

04/26

$221

04/27

$277

Today

$185

04/29

$248

04/30

$229

05/01

$221

05/02

No data

05/03

$211

The cheapest trip from San Francisco to Chicago was searched and found on Apr 28, 2025 with a price of $185

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

You can expect to pay from $185 to $1,743 for a bus ticket from San Francisco to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $211 which is on 2025-05-03.

Usually Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between San Francisco and Chicago!

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 San Francisco to Chicago.

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from San Francisco to Chicago that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from San Francisco to Chicago, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

Did you know there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

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.

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

Will you be returning to San Francisco by bus?

Bus from San Francisco to Chicago

You can also go to Chicago by train

Train from San Francisco to Chicago

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.

Bus Tickets from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL