Bus from Oakland to Chicago: Tickets & Schedules

Next departures

Next departures for Oakland to Chicago on January 8
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
West Oakland BART
537-517 W. Jackson BlvdCheapest
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
West Oakland BART
Downtown Greyhound StationFastest
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
West Oakland BART
Downtown Greyhound StationNo tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
West Oakland BART
537-517 W. Jackson BlvdNo tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Oakland/Berkeley/East Bay
Downtown Greyhound StationNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 5:36 AM PST.

Compare 2 ways to go from Oakland to Chicago

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach Chicago. The journey takes about 2 days, 5 hours 26 minutes, and with fares starting at just $177, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

8train per day
2d 5hAverage Duration
2972 kmDistance
270kgCO₂ emissions
Average Price$318 - $751Average Duration2d 14h
74kg CO₂e
Average Price$177 - $3,239Average Duration2d 5h
270kg CO₂e

Frequently asked questions about travelling from Oakland 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.

  1. How much is the bus ticket from Oakland to Chicago?

    The cheapest bus tickets from Oakland to Chicago start from $318. The average price for this route is around $327. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

  2. How long is the bus ride from Oakland to Chicago?

    The average bus travel time from Oakland to Chicago is 2d 14h, covering a distance of 2973 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 2d and is operated by Greyhound.

  3. Which bus companies service the Oakland to Chicago route?

    Several major bus companies operate on this route with 12 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Amtrak, FlixBus.

  4. What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Oakland to Chicago?

    The earliest bus departs from Oakland to Chicago at 7:35am. And the latest bus departs at 11:50pm.

  5. What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Oakland to Chicago?

    A bus trip from Oakland to Chicago generates an estimated 74 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

  6. What is the best bus company from Oakland 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 5696 reviews.

  7. Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Oakland to Chicago?

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

  8. Which bus company has the best on-time performance from Oakland to Chicago?

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

  9. Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Oakland 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
01-05
$371
01-06
$342
Today
$337
01-08
$309
01-09
$311
01-10
$310
01-11
$309
01-12
$309
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Oakland to Chicago was searched and found on Jan 8, 2026 with a price of $309

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

You can expect to pay from $309 to $3,703 for a bus ticket from Oakland to Chicago based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $309 which is on 2026-01-08.

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.

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

busbud logoThe Bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

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