How much is the bus ticket from Bakersfield to Chicago?

The cheapest bus tickets from Bakersfield to Chicago start from $155. The average price for this route is around $315. 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 Bakersfield to Chicago?

The average bus trip duration from Bakersfield to Chicago is 2d 3h, covering a distance of 1741 miles (2808 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 1d 19h and is operated by Amtrak .

Which bus companies service the Bakersfield to Chicago route?

Several major bus companies operate on this route with 8 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak , Greyhound , FlixBus .

What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Bakersfield to Chicago?

The earliest bus departs from Bakersfield to Chicago at 4:55am. And the latest bus departs at 8:50pm.

What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Bakersfield to Chicago?

A bus trip from Bakersfield to Chicago generates an estimated 70 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 Bakersfield 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 5627 reviews.

Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Bakersfield to Chicago?

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

Which bus company has the most timely service from Bakersfield to Chicago?

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

Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Bakersfield 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.

Bus Bakersfield to Chicago from $158 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures for Bakersfield to Chicago on December 16
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
		8:50pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 5h	4:10am	Downtown Greyhound Station	CheapestFastest
		8:50pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 9h	8:00am	537-517 W. Jackson Blvd	No tags

Next departures for Bakersfield to Chicago on December 17
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	1:10pm	McKee Park & Ride	2d 3h	6:35pm	Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan	Cheapest
	4:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 19h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	12:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 23h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	12:45pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 1h	4:20pm	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags
	8:50pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 5h	4:10am	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags

Next departures for Bakersfield to Chicago on December 18
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	1:10pm	McKee Park & Ride	2d 3h	6:35pm	Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan	Cheapest
	4:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 19h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	12:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 23h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	2:20pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d	4:20pm	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags
	8:50pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 5h	4:10am	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags

Next departures for Bakersfield to Chicago on December 19
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	2:20pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 2h	6:35pm	Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan	Cheapest
	4:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 19h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	4:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 19h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	2:20pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d	4:20pm	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags
	8:50pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 5h	4:10am	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags

Next departures for Bakersfield to Chicago on December 20
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	1:10pm	McKee Park & Ride	2d 3h	6:35pm	Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan	Cheapest
	4:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 19h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	12:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 23h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	2:20pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d	4:20pm	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags
	8:50pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 5h	4:10am	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags

Next departures for Bakersfield to Chicago on December 21
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	2:20pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 2h	6:35pm	Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan	Cheapest
	4:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 19h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	Fastest
	12:50pm	Amtrak Station	1d 23h	2:42pm	Chicago (Union Station), IL	No tags
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.	2:20pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d	4:20pm	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags
	8:50pm	16th St (Bakersfield)	2d 5h	4:10am	Downtown Greyhound Station	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Sunday at 3:45 AM PST.

Compare 2 ways to go from Bakersfield to Chicago

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 2 days, 3 hours 50 minutes and with fares starting at just $155, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

8bus per day

2d 3hAverage Duration

1741 milesDistance

70kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average Price$155 - $743	Average Duration2d 3h	CO₂ emissions 70kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$404 - $3,825	Average Duration3d	CO₂ emissions 255kg CO₂e

Where are the popular stops in Bakersfield and Chicago?

Stops in Bakersfield

A
Tufesa Bus Station
1401 Chamberlain Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305, USA
Visit page
B
Amtrak Station
601 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301, USA
C
Latino Travel
2225 Niles Pt. St , 93306 Bakersfield, CA USA
Visit page

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

Compare bus companies

Amtrak

4/55,652 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Greyhound

3.5/587,434 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.9

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.4

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

3.5/511,630 reviews

Staff4.2

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

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.

US bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, Big Sky

Frequently asked questions about traveling from Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield to Chicago?
The cheapest bus tickets from Bakersfield to Chicago start from $155. The average price for this route is around $315. 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 Bakersfield to Chicago?
The average bus trip duration from Bakersfield to Chicago is 2d 3h, covering a distance of 1741 miles (2808 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 1d 19h and is operated by Amtrak.
Which bus companies service the Bakersfield to Chicago route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 8 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak, Greyhound, FlixBus.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Bakersfield to Chicago?
The earliest bus departs from Bakersfield to Chicago at 4:55am. And the latest bus departs at 8:50pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Bakersfield to Chicago?
A bus trip from Bakersfield to Chicago generates an estimated 70 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 Bakersfield 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 5627 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Bakersfield to Chicago?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Amtrak has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Bakersfield to Chicago?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Bakersfield 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

12/14

$334

12/15

$334

Today

$301

12/17

$473

12/18

$396

12/19

$473

12/20

$457

12/21

$416

The cheapest trip from Bakersfield to Chicago was searched and found on Dec 16, 2025 with a price of $301

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

You can expect to pay from $301 to $1,656 for a bus ticket from Bakersfield to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $396 which is on 2025-12-18.

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.