Is there a way to reach Chicago from Boston without flying?

You can travel between these two cities by bus or train. Either way you choose, you'll be sure to reach your destination in the most practical and eco-friendly way. Another option is using carpool services and riding with fellow travelers.

How long is the bus ride from Boston to Chicago?

On average, the trip from Boston to Chicago takes around 1d 6h, although the minimum time it takes to get there is 22h 22m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 849 miles (1370 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Boston and Chicago?

The distance between the two cities is 849 miles (1370 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Boston to Chicago?

If you're headed to Chicago from Boston, chances are that your bus will depart from South Station and arrive at Downtown Greyhound Station. These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

What is the cheapest way to get from Boston to Chicago?

Go for the bus if you want the most cost-effective way to travel this route. The lowest tickets for this trip cost as little as $72.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Boston to Chicago?

The average bus ticket price from Boston to Chicago is $114. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $72 and $302, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

What are the best sights and things to do in Chicago?

Once in Chicago, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Lake Michigan, Willis Tower (Sears Tower), Architectural River Cruise, Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier.

Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Boston to Chicago?

Yes, it is possible to take an overnight bus from Boston to Chicago. Don't forget to bring a snack and a blanket to help you stay comfortable through the night.

Boston (MA), US to Chicago Bus Tickets

TodayApr 30

TomorrowMay 1

FriMay 2

SatMay 3

SunMay 4

from $113

MonMay 5

TueMay 6

WedMay 7

Cheap buses leaving Sunday

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 4 at 1:30am
Departure city: Boston
Departure location: Boston
Arrival time: May 5 at 5:40am
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan
Operated by: FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 5h
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 4 at 7:35pm
Departure city: Boston
Departure location: Boston (South Station)
Arrival time: May 5 at 11:00pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 4h
Departure time: May 4 at 2:15am
Departure city: Boston
Departure location: Boston (South Station)
Arrival time: May 5 at 7:55am
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: 537-517 W. Jackson Blvd
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 6h
Departure time: May 4 at 1:30am
Departure city: Boston
Departure location: Boston
Arrival time: May 5 at 6:10am
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Operated by: FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 5h
Departure time: May 4 at 9:45am
Departure city: Boston
Departure location: Boston (South Station)
Arrival time: May 5 at 2:15pm
Destination city: Chicago
Destination location: 537-517 W. Jackson Blvd
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 1d 5h

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Boston to Chicago.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$72 - $302	Average Duration1d 6h	CO₂ emissions 34kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$113 - $608	Average Duration1d 1h	CO₂ emissions 124kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Boston to Chicago

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 1 day, 6 hours 25 minutes and with fares starting at just $72, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

20bus per day

1d 6hAverage Duration

$72Cheapest ticket

34kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Boston to Chicago: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$114

Average bus trip duration1d 6h

Number of daily buses20

Earliest bus departure1:30am

Distance848 miles (1367 km)

Latest bus departure8:55pm

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/586,952 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

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

3.5/58,447 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

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.

Amtrak

4/55,086 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Los Limousines, Tornado Bus, Valley Transit, New York Trailways, Wanda Coach

Boston to Chicago Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Boston to Chicago is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

Bus service from Boston to Chicago will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from Boston to Chicago, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in Boston and Chicago?

Stops in Boston

A - South Station

B - Back Bay Station

C - North Station

D - Copley Square

E - Prudential MBTA Station

F - Copley MBTA Station

Stops in Chicago

A - Downtown Greyhound Station

B - Chicago O'Hare International Airport

C - Polk St & Canal St

D - Tornado Bus S Kedzie Ave

E - Cumberland CTA

F - Turimex California Ave

Frequently asked questions for your trip Boston - Chicago

Is there a way to reach Chicago from Boston without flying?
How long is the bus ride from Boston to Chicago?
What is the distance between Boston and Chicago?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Boston to Chicago?
What is the cheapest way to get from Boston to Chicago?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Boston to Chicago?
What are the best sights and things to do in Chicago?
Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Boston to Chicago?

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

04/28

$142

04/29

$100

Today

$88

05/01

$105

05/02

$116

05/03

$142

05/04

$113

05/05

$87

The cheapest trip from Boston to Chicago was searched and found on May 5, 2025 with a price of $87

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

You can expect to pay from $87 to $525 for a bus ticket from Boston to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $87 which is on 2025-05-05.

Usually Greyhound Lines, Inc. 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.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from Boston to Chicago.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Boston to Chicago, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from Boston to Chicago that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Boston to Chicago, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

Did you know some bus companies in Germany offer to their passenger low-costs snacks and regional beer based on their destination? Prosit!

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

One of the longest bus route in the world goes all the way from Ontario to Alberta in Canada (with the same bus). This trip is 3,435 km or 2,135 miles long and the price is a bit under $100.

What's the cheapest way to go from Boston to Chicago?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time1d 6h	Avg Price$114	Daily Departures20
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time1d 1h	Avg Price$200	Daily Departures3

Will you be returning to Boston by bus?

Bus from Boston to Chicago

You can also go to Chicago by train

Train from Boston to Chicago

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travelers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Boston, MA to Chicago, IL