Is there a way to reach San Diego from Chicago without flying?

You have the option of traveling from one city to the other by either bus or train. Either way you choose, you'll be sure to reach your destination in the most convenient and sustainable way. Another option is using carpool services and riding with fellow travelers.

How long is the bus trip from Chicago to San Diego?

The travel time from Chicago to San Diego is about 2d 9h, although the fastest bus will take 2d 2h, on average. This is the time it takes to travel the 1729 miles (2788 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Chicago and San Diego?

About 1729 miles (2788 km) separate Chicago and San Diego.

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

If you're headed to San Diego from Chicago, chances are that your bus will leave from Downtown Greyhound Station and arrive at Mission Valley Sheraton. These are the main departure and arrival locations on this route, but you can also find other options that could better fit your plans.

What is the cheapest way to go from Chicago to San Diego?

You can save a lot of money on your trip from Chicago to San Diego by choosing to travel by bus. The lowest price for the bus on this route is $96.

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

The average price of a one-way ticket from Chicago to San Diego is $231. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $96 and $577, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?

Once in San Diego, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are Coronado, The Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Zoo, Torrey Pines Gliderport and USS Midway Museum.

Is it possible to travel by overnight bus from Chicago to San Diego?

Yes, you can take a night bus to go from Chicago to San Diego. Don't forget to bring a snack and a blanket to help you stay comfortable through the night.

Chicago to San Diego (CA), US Bus Tickets

TodayMay 10

from $353

TomorrowMay 11

MonMay 12

TueMay 13

WedMay 14

ThuMay 15

FriMay 16

SatMay 17

Cheap buses leaving today

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 10 at 4:45pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 12 at 9:30pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Downtown SD (Seaport)
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 6h
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 10 at 4:45pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 12 at 5:35pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: UCSD Health La Jolla Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 2h
Departure time: May 10 at 4:45pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 12 at 6:10pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: San Diego (Old Town-FlixBus)
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 3h
Departure time: May 10 at 4:45pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 12 at 5:45pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Greyhound Bus Stop
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 3h
Departure time: May 10 at 4:45pm
Departure city: Chicago
Departure location: Downtown Greyhound Station
Arrival time: May 12 at 5:35pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: UCSD Health La Jolla Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2d 2h

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Chicago to San Diego.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$96 - $577	Average Duration2d 9h	CO₂ emissions 70kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$381 - $389	Average Duration2d 17h	CO₂ emissions 254kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Chicago to San Diego

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 2 days, 9 hours 35 minutes and with fares starting at just $96, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

27bus per day

2d 9hAverage Duration

$96Cheapest ticket

70kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Chicago to San Diego: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$231

Average bus trip duration2d 9h

Number of daily buses27

Earliest bus departure6:10am

Distance1725 miles (2781 km)

Latest bus departure11:50pm

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/586,969 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

3.5/58,564 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.

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Los Limousines, Tornado Bus, Valley Transit, Tufesa, Wanda Coach

Chicago to San Diego Bus

Busbud helps you find a bus from Chicago to San Diego. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

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

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from Chicago to San Diego, 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 Chicago and San Diego?

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

Stops in San Diego

A - Mission Valley Sheraton

B - Old Town Courtyard Marriot

C - Downtown Holiday Inn

D - Greyhound Station

E - Market St. & Park Blvd

F - San Ysidro McDonald's

Frequently asked questions for your trip Chicago - San Diego

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

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

05/08

$395

05/09

$236

Today

$355

05/11

$214

05/12

$144

05/13

$159

05/14

$132

05/15

$128

The cheapest trip from Chicago to San Diego was searched and found on May 15, 2025 with a price of $128

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

You can expect to pay from $128 to $499 for a bus ticket from Chicago to San Diego based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $128 which is on 2025-05-15.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between Chicago and San Diego!

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Chicago to San Diego, 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 Chicago to San Diego that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

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

Did you know?

Did you know there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

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

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time2d 9h	Avg Price$231	Daily Departures27
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time2d 17h	Avg Price$389	Daily Departures1

Will you be returning to Chicago by bus?

Bus from Chicago to San Diego

You can also go to San Diego by train

Train from Chicago to San Diego

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. 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 Chicago, IL to San Diego, CA