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Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA Bus

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04/19/2025
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Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA by bus

The journey from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA by bus is 1,855.87 mi and takes 61 hr 3 min. There are 13 connections per day, with the first departure at 5:45 AM and the last at 11:50 PM. It is possible to travel from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA by bus for as little as $135.94 or as much as $234.32. The best price for this journey is $135.94.

Lowest Price $135.94
Journey Duration 61 hr 3 min
Connection per Day 13
Lowest Price $135.94
Highest Price $234.32
First Departure 5:45 AM
Last Departure 11:50 PM
Distance 1,855.87 mi
Departure Chicago, IL
Arrival San Francisco, CA
Carriers Greyhound Lines, Inc., FlixBus

Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA Bus Times

Departure date
Saturday, Apr 19, 2025

Compare prices and tickets from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA

Best time to book Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA travel

Virail Pro Tip ✌: Booking 10 days in advance save 10% on average

Price as departure date approaches

Bus companies may charge higher ticket prices as the date of departure approaches. Prices in the next days can range from around $81.35 to $363.52 but may be subject to change. Our advice is to book as early as possible to potentially save up to 78% on your trip!

Best time to book cheap bus tickets from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA

The cheapest Chicago, IL - San Francisco, CA bus tickets can be found for as low as $213.47 if you’re lucky, or $240.18 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $262.92.

Find the best day to travel to San Francisco, CA by bus

When travelling to San Francisco, CA by bus, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Services on board FlixBus and Greyhound from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA
Compare services on board when travelling from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA by bus.
Facilities FlixBus Greyhound
power_sockets Power sockets check check
luggage Luggage check check
food_and_drink Food and drink check cross
air_con Air conditioning check check
wifi WiFi check check
accessibility Accessibility check check
bicycle Bicycle check cross
entertainment_portal Entertainment Portal check cross
mobility_and_wheelchair_services landingPage.services.mobility_and_wheelchair_services check cross

Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA CO2 Emissions by Bus

Ecology
Train
209.07kg
Bus
224.01kg
Flight
597.35kg
Car
477.88kg

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA?
A bus ticket from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA is $172.19. However the price varies depending on how early you buy, and if it's peak time to travel. Occasionally you can find them for as cheap as $135.94.
What's the cheapest bus ticket from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA?
The cheapest ticket you can get from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA is $135.94. We recommend booking as early as possible and off-peak hours to get the cheapest ticket possible. Off-peak times are usually from 09:30 to 16:00, and after 19:00.
What's the distance between Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA by bus?
Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA is 1,855.87 mi.
How long does the bus between Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA take?
Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA is on average 61 hr 3 min. However the fastest option will get you there in 53 hr 10 min.
Which companies operate from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA?
The bus journey from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA is covered by 2 operator(s). On Virail you can find these carriers that provide services on this route: Greyhound Lines, Inc., FlixBus and Greyhound.
How many bus connections per day go from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA?
Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA has 13 connection(s) per day on average.
What time does the first bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA leave?
The earliest bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA departs at 5:45 AM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
What time does the last bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA depart?
The latest bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA departs at 11:50 PM. However be sure to check with us the schedule on the day you want to leave as the time may differ.
Should I book my ticket from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA in advance?
If you can, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to ensure you get better savings. The cheapest bus ticket we have found is $135.94 but this may be subject to change depending on the day of travel, hour you wish to depart and how far in advance you book.
What's the fastest journey time between Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA by bus?
The fastest journey time by bus between Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA is 53 hr 10 min.
Is there a direct bus from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA?
Yes, there is a direct bus between Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA.
What are the CO2 emissions for Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA by bus?
The bus journey from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA creates 224.01kg of CO2 emissions.