Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Ames (Phillips 66) | Downtown Greyhound Station | Cheapest | ||||
 | Bus | Ames | Chicago (Bus Station) | Fastest | ||||
| Bus | Ames (Phillips 66) | Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Last Thursday at 8:10 PM CST.
Get from Ames to Chicago
The journey takes about 9 hours 5 minutes and with fares starting at just $65, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Ames and Chicago?
Stops in Ames
- A
Intermodal Facility
129 Hayward Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
Stops in Chicago
- A630 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- 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
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Frequently asked questions about traveling from Ames, IA, 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.
How much is the bus ticket from Ames to Chicago?
The cheapest bus tickets from Ames to Chicago start from $65. The average price for this route is around $77. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Ames to Chicago?
The average bus trip duration from Ames to Chicago is 9h 5m, covering a distance of 309 miles (498 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 7h 25m and is operated by Jefferson Lines.
Which bus companies service the Ames to Chicago route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 2 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Jefferson Lines.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Ames to Chicago?
The earliest bus departs from Ames to Chicago at 10:30am. And the latest bus departs at 10:20pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Ames to Chicago?
A bus trip from Ames to Chicago generates an estimated 12 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Ames to Chicago?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Jefferson Lines, with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 764 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Ames to Chicago?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Greyhound has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 2.4.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Ames to Chicago?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Jefferson Lines, with a punctuality rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Ames to Chicago?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Jefferson Lines, with a cleanliness rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Ames, IA, US to Chicago was searched and found on Jan 8, 2026 with a price of $57To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Ames, IA, US to Chicago, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $57 to $128 for a bus ticket from Ames, IA, US to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $57 which is on 2026-01-08.
Usually Jefferson Lines 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.
