Bus from San Francisco, US to Chicago: Tickets & Schedules

Next departures

Next departures for San Francisco to Chicago on December 4
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
San Francisco Bus Station
537-517 W. Jackson BlvdCheapest
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
San Francisco Bus Station
Chicago 95Th & Dan RyanFastest
Amtrak
Mission St & Fremont St
Chicago (Union Station), ILNo tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
San Francisco Bus Station
Downtown Greyhound StationNo tags
Amtrak
Mission St & Fremont St
Chicago (Union Station), ILNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Tuesday at 6:13 PM PST.

Get from San Francisco to Chicago

This route is served by bus only

The journey takes about 2 days, 15 hours 15 minutes, and with fares starting at just $228, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

10bus per day
2d 15hAverage Duration
2982 kmDistance
75kgCO₂ emissions

Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Francisco, US to Chicago by bus

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

  1. How much is the bus ticket from San Francisco to Chicago?

    The cheapest bus tickets from San Francisco to Chicago start from $228. The average price for this route is around $405. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

  2. How long is the bus ride from San Francisco to Chicago?

    The average bus travel time from San Francisco to Chicago is 2d 15h, covering a distance of 2982 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 2d and is operated by Greyhound.

  3. Which bus companies service the San Francisco to Chicago route?

    Several major bus companies operate on this route with 10 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak, Greyhound, FlixBus.

  4. What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from San Francisco to Chicago?

    The earliest bus departs from San Francisco to Chicago at 8:20am. And the latest bus departs at 11:25pm.

  5. What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from San Francisco to Chicago?

    A bus trip from San Francisco to Chicago generates an estimated 75 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

  6. What is the best bus company from San Francisco to Chicago?

    According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5597 reviews.

  7. Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from San Francisco to Chicago?

    Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Amtrak has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.

  8. Which bus company has the best on-time performance from San Francisco to Chicago?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

  9. Which bus company has the cleanest buses from San Francisco to Chicago?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Amtrak, with a cleanliness rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found
12-02
$442
12-03
$370
Today
$310
12-05
No data
12-06
$211
12-07
No data
12-08
No data
12-09
No data
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Francisco, US to Chicago was searched and found on Dec 6, 2025 with a price of $211

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

You can expect to pay from $211 to $4,529 for a bus ticket from San Francisco, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $211 which is on 2025-12-06.

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.

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