What is the travel distance from Chicago to Ames?

Chicago and Ames are 496 km (308 miles) apart.

What are the departure and arrival locations for buses traveling from Chicago to Ames?

Buses departing from Downtown Greyhound Station in Chicago will take you to Intermodal Facility in Ames.

Bus Chicago to Ames from $89 | Refundable Tickets

Previously seen trips

Next departures for Chicago to Ames on November 23
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	Bus	10:00am	Downtown Greyhound Station	7h 5m	5:05pm	Ames (Phillips 66)	No tags
	Bus	10:00am	Downtown Greyhound Station	7h 5m	5:05pm	Ames (Phillips 66)	No tags
Greyhound + FlixBus	Bus	5:45am	Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan	11h 30m	5:15pm	Ames (Phillips 66)	No tags
FlixBus + Greyhound	Bus	5:45am	Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan	11h 30m	5:15pm	Ames (Phillips 66)	No tags
Greyhound + FlixBus	Bus	5:45am	Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan	11h 30m	5:15pm	Ames (Phillips 66)	No tags

Get from Chicago to Ames

This route is served by bus only

The journey takes about 11 hours 30 minutes, and with fares starting at just $77, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

2bus per day

11h 30mAverage Duration

494 kmDistance

12kgCO₂ emissions

Where are the popular stops in Chicago and Ames?

Stops in Chicago

A
Downtown Greyhound Station
630 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Visit page
B
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Visit page
C
Polk St & Canal St
500-536 W Polk St, Chicago IL 60607, USA
D
Tornado Bus S Kedzie Ave
2807 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60623, USA
E
Cumberland CTA
5800 N Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60631, USA
F
Turimex California Ave
2139 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608, USA

Stops in Ames

A
Intermodal Facility
129 Hayward Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/587,388 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.9

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.4

Based on 87388 reviews, the company was rated 3.5 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the temperature but often complained with the WiFi. Greyhound ticket prices on this trip start at $77

Greyhound Chicago Ames recent customer reviews

Station kinda dirty and severe lack of communication

Austin L.

December 12, 2021

Terrible. Horrible staff and the schedule is ridiculously ineffective.. hell.

Priyal S.

August 15, 2018

Bus was canceled and staff do not know the reason. It is hard to understand.

Myunghwan H.

March 12, 2018

Jefferson Lines

4/5759 reviews

Staff4

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4

Wifi3.2

US Bus Companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, Sindbad

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Chicago to Ames, IA, US by bus

What is the travel distance from Chicago to Ames?
Chicago and Ames are 496 km (308 miles) apart.
What are the departure and arrival locations for buses traveling from Chicago to Ames?
Buses departing from Downtown Greyhound Station in Chicago will take you to Intermodal Facility in Ames.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

11-20

No data

11-21

$300

Today

$123

11-23

No data

11-24

No data

11-25

No data

11-26

$173

11-27

$89

The cheapest trip from Chicago to Ames, IA, US was searched and found on Nov 27, 2025 with a price of $89

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

You can expect to pay from $89 to $300 for a bus ticket from Chicago to Ames, IA, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $89 which is on 2025-11-27.