Bus from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago: Tickets & Timetables

Next departures

Next departures from San Diego to Chicago on 11 January
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Amtrak
Santa Fe Depot
Chicago (Union Station), ILCheapestFastest
Amtrak
Santa Fe Depot
Chicago (Union Station), ILNo tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
San Diego (Old Town-FlixBus)
Downtown Greyhound StationNo tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Greyhound Bus Stop
Downtown Greyhound StationNo tags
Amtrak
Santa Fe Depot
Chicago (Union Station), ILNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Monday at 14:19 PST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from San Diego to Chicago

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the Bus stands out as a good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 2 days, 6 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just £100, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

26bus per day
2d 6hAverage duration
1725 milesDistance
70kgCO₂ emissions
Average price£100 - £554Average duration2d 6h
70kg CO₂e
Average price£142 - £1,340Average duration1d 22h
254kg CO₂e

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

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

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

    The cheapest coach tickets from San Diego to Chicago start from £100. The average price for this route is around £226. 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 journey from San Diego to Chicago?

    The average bus journey time from San Diego to Chicago is 2d 6h, covering a distance of 1725 miles. The fastest bus can take you there in 1d 23h and is operated by Amtrak.

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

    Several major bus companies operate on this route with 26 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Amtrak, FlixBus.

  4. What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from San Diego to Chicago?

    The earliest bus departs from San Diego to Chicago at 06:45. And the latest bus departs at 19:35.

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

    A bus journey from San Diego to Chicago produces an estimated 70 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly choice and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

  6. Which is the best bus company from San Diego 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 5696 reviews.

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

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

  8. Which bus company offers the most punctual service from San Diego 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 Diego 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
08/01
£322
09/01
£366
Today
£160
11/01
£186
12/01
£255
13/01
£159
14/01
£174
15/01
£215
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago was searched and found on 13 Jan 2026 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 San Diego, CA, US to Chicago as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from £159 to £1,143 for a bus ticket from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £159, which is on 2026-01-13.

What's the cheapest way to go from San Diego, CA, US to Chicago?

busbud logoThe Bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

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