WI → IL · about 120 miles
Madison to Chicago bus schedule
FlixBus, Greyhound and Van Galder run 160 direct buses a week from Madison to Chicago. The fastest takes 3 hours 5 minutes; the first bus leaves at 1:30 AM and the last at 7:30 PM.
Timetable data from · No schedule changes since at least
- Buses a week
- 160
- Fastest trip
- 3h 05m
- First bus
- 1:30 AM
- Last bus
- 7:30 PM
Timetable
Times are local to each stop. Timetables published by tds.ai, refreshed October 15, 2026. Schedules change, so check times when you book.
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Days | Stops | Bus company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30 AM | 5:20 AM | 3h 50m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 2:30 AM | 6:20 AM | 3h 50m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 3:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 4h 00m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 4:30 AM | 8:30 AM | 4h 00m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 5:30 AM | 9:40 AM | 4h 10m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 6:30 AM | 10:40 AM | 4h 10m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 6:45 AM | 9:55 AM | 3h 10m | Daily except Wed | Madison WI - Univ. of Wisc. Wisconsin Hist. Soc. (MSN) to Chicago Bus Station | FlixBus Full timetable |
| 7:30 AM | 11:30 AM | 4h 00m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 8:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 4h 00m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 9:30 AM | 1:30 PM | 4h 00m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 10:30 AM | 2:30 PM | 4h 00m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 11:30 AM | 3:20 PM | 3h 50m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 12:30 PM | 4:30 PM | 4h 00m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 1:00 PM | 5:15 PM | 4h 15m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 1:25 PM | 5:35 PM | 4h 10m | Daily | Madison WI - Univ. of Wisc. Wisconsin Hist. Soc. (MSN) to Chicago Bus Station | FlixBus Full timetable |
| 1:30 PM | 5:50 PM | 4h 20m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 2:30 PM | 7:00 PM | 4h 30m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 3:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 4h 30m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 4:30 PM | 8:30 PM | 4h 00m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 5:30 PM | 9:20 PM | 3h 50m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 6:30 PM | 10:20 PM | 3h 50m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
| 7:00 PM | 10:05 PM | 3h 05m | Daily | Madison WI - Univ. of Wisc. Wisconsin Hist. Soc. (MSN) to Chicago Bus Station | Greyhound Full timetable |
| 7:30 PM | 11:20 PM | 3h 50m | Daily | 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St (across from Union Station) | Van Galder Full timetable |
Route map
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Where to board in Madison Where you get off in Chicago The route of the busiest trip
Where to catch the bus in Madison
Where the bus stops in Chicago
Return trip: Chicago to Madison
Questions
How long is the bus from Madison to Chicago?
The fastest direct bus takes 3 hours 5 minutes; the typical trip is 4 hours.
What time is the first bus from Madison to Chicago?
The earliest departure is at 1:30 AM (Daily) and the last at 7:30 PM (Daily).
Which bus companies go from Madison to Chicago?
FlixBus, Greyhound and Van Galder run direct buses on this route.
Where do I catch the bus in Madison?
Buses to Chicago leave from Madison (University of WI).