Bus El Cajon, CA to Chicago: Compare prices and save money

Compare all timetables for the bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago

Here is a selection of the cheapest bus trips from the schedule from El Cajon, CA to Chicago from various bus operators like Greyhound US for the next days.

today

tomorrow

$218

Monday

$236

Tuesday

$218

Wednesday

Thursday

$248

Friday

Cheapest bus trips tomorrow
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Greyhound US	51h 50m	10:15 AM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	4:05 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$218	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/26/2026 10:15:00 AM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/28/2026 4:05:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $218 per person are available. Travel duration is 51h 50m
Greyhound US	57h 0m	5:20 PM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	4:20 AM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$223	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/26/2026 5:20:00 PM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/29/2026 4:20:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $223 per person are available. Travel duration is 57h 0m
Greyhound US	60h 40m	5:20 PM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	8:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	Economy	$229	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/26/2026 5:20:00 PM to Union Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/29/2026 8:00:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $229 per person are available. Travel duration is 60h 40m

Did you know that if you travel from El Cajon, CA to Chicago via San Diego, you can save more than $112? You can find the corresponding connections below.
- Greyhound US
  
  71h 15m
  
  0
  
  5:20 PM
  
  El Cajon, CA
  Bus Stop
  
  5:45 PM
  
  San Diego
  Old Town Transit Center
  
  0
  
  Economy
  
  $4
  
  A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/26/2026 5:20:00 PM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 7/26/2026 5:45:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $4 per person are available. Travel duration is 0h 25m
- Greyhound US
  
  54h 45m
  
  0
  
  9:50 AM
  
  San Diego
  Old Town Transit Center
  
  6:35 PM
  
  Chicago
  95th Red Line Station
  
  0
  
  Economy
  
  $102
  
  A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) at 7/27/2026 9:50:00 AM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/29/2026 6:35:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $102 per person are available. Travel duration is 54h 45m
Travel time is 17h 25m longer, but you will save $112

Cheapest bus trips Monday
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Greyhound US	57h 0m	5:20 PM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	4:20 AM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$236	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/27/2026 5:20:00 PM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/30/2026 4:20:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $236 per person are available. Travel duration is 57h 0m
Greyhound US	51h 50m	10:15 AM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	4:05 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$248	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/27/2026 10:15:00 AM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/29/2026 4:05:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $248 per person are available. Travel duration is 51h 50m
Greyhound US	60h 40m	5:20 PM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	8:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	Economy	$253	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/27/2026 5:20:00 PM to Union Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/30/2026 8:00:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $253 per person are available. Travel duration is 60h 40m

Did you know that if you travel from El Cajon, CA to Chicago via San Diego, you can save more than $130? You can find the corresponding connections below.
- Greyhound US
  
  71h 15m
  
  0
  
  5:20 PM
  
  El Cajon, CA
  Bus Stop
  
  5:45 PM
  
  San Diego
  Old Town Transit Center
  
  0
  
  Economy
  
  $4
  
  A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/26/2026 5:20:00 PM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 7/26/2026 5:45:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $4 per person are available. Travel duration is 0h 25m
- Greyhound US
  
  54h 45m
  
  0
  
  9:50 AM
  
  San Diego
  Old Town Transit Center
  
  6:35 PM
  
  Chicago
  95th Red Line Station
  
  0
  
  Economy
  
  $102
  
  A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) at 7/27/2026 9:50:00 AM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/29/2026 6:35:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $102 per person are available. Travel duration is 54h 45m
Travel time is 17h 25m longer, but you will save $130

Cheapest bus trips Tuesday
Mode of Transport	BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Logo	Seat classes	Price
	Greyhound US	58h 0m	5:20 PM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	5:20 AM	Chicago	95th Red Line Station		Economy	$218	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/28/2026 5:20:00 PM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/31/2026 5:20:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $218 per person are available. Travel duration is 58h 0m
	Greyhound US	55h 25m	10:15 AM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	7:40 PM	Chicago	95th Red Line Station		Economy	$232	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/28/2026 10:15:00 AM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/30/2026 7:40:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $232 per person are available. Travel duration is 55h 25m

Did you know that if you travel from El Cajon, CA to Chicago via San Diego, you can save more than $112? You can find the corresponding connections below.
- Greyhound US
  
  71h 15m
  
  0
  
  5:20 PM
  
  El Cajon, CA
  Bus Stop
  
  5:45 PM
  
  San Diego
  Old Town Transit Center
  
  0
  
  Economy
  
  $4
  
  A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/26/2026 5:20:00 PM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 7/26/2026 5:45:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $4 per person are available. Travel duration is 0h 25m
- Greyhound US
  
  54h 45m
  
  0
  
  9:50 AM
  
  San Diego
  Old Town Transit Center
  
  6:35 PM
  
  Chicago
  95th Red Line Station
  
  0
  
  Economy
  
  $102
  
  A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) at 7/27/2026 9:50:00 AM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/29/2026 6:35:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $102 per person are available. Travel duration is 54h 45m
Travel time is 13h 50m longer, but you will save $112

Cheapest bus trips Thursday
BertCompanyCountOneCompanyName	Duration	Departure time	From	Departure	Arrival time	To	Destination	Seat classes	Price
Greyhound US	57h 0m	5:20 PM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	4:20 AM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$248	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/30/2026 5:20:00 PM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 8/2/2026 4:20:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $248 per person are available. Travel duration is 57h 0m
Greyhound US	51h 50m	10:15 AM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	4:05 PM	Chicago	Downtown Bus Station	Economy	$253	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/30/2026 10:15:00 AM to Downtown Bus Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 8/1/2026 4:05:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $253 per person are available. Travel duration is 51h 50m
Greyhound US	60h 40m	5:20 PM	El Cajon, CA	Bus Stop	8:00 AM	Chicago	Union Station	Economy	$264	A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/30/2026 5:20:00 PM to Union Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 8/2/2026 8:00:00 AM. 50 Economy ticket for $264 per person are available. Travel duration is 60h 40m

Did you know that if you travel from El Cajon, CA to Chicago via San Diego, you can save more than $142? You can find the corresponding connections below.
- Greyhound US
  
  71h 15m
  
  0
  
  5:20 PM
  
  El Cajon, CA
  Bus Stop
  
  5:45 PM
  
  San Diego
  Old Town Transit Center
  
  0
  
  Economy
  
  $4
  
  A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Bus Stop, El Cajon, CA (USA) at 7/26/2026 5:20:00 PM to Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) arriving at 7/26/2026 5:45:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $4 per person are available. Travel duration is 0h 25m
- Greyhound US
  
  54h 45m
  
  0
  
  9:50 AM
  
  San Diego
  Old Town Transit Center
  
  6:35 PM
  
  Chicago
  95th Red Line Station
  
  0
  
  Economy
  
  $102
  
  A Bus from Greyhound US goes from Old Town Transit Center, San Diego (USA) at 7/27/2026 9:50:00 AM to 95th Red Line Station, Chicago (USA) arriving at 7/29/2026 6:35:00 PM. 50 Economy ticket for $102 per person are available. Travel duration is 54h 45m
Travel time is 17h 25m longer, but you will save $142

Frequency of bus connections between El Cajon, CA and Chicago

See here how frequent the connections between El Cajon, CA and Chicago are, during different times and days of the week.

Sunday is the busiest day, with more than 3 daily buses from El Cajon, CA to Chicago. Tuesday has instead the fewest connections, with only 2 daily coaches between El Cajon, CA and Chicago.

The busiest time of the day is the Afternoon, with 7 buses from El Cajon, CA to Chicago, while Morning sees the fewest connections between El Cajon, CA and Chicago, with 4 offers.

Test cheapest views

The cheapest bus for the 7/28/2026 costs just $218, from Greyhound US

Facts about the bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago

Compare all providers like Greyhound US that travel 2 times every day by bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago in one click! Book your bus ticket from El Cajon, CA to Chicago starting from $218!

Cheapest Bus	$218
Fastest Bus	53h 50m
Earliest Bus	10:15 AM
Latest Bus	5:20 PM
Daily Bus Routes	2 Ø
Distance	1,718.9 miles
Bus Companies	Greyhound US

Cheapest bus connections from El Cajon, CA to Chicago

Every day, 2 buses from 1 bus companies leave El Cajon, CA for Chicago: in the table below, you will find the cheapest prices for a bus ticket for this route, starting from 07/25/2026 and for the following days.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 07/19

Monday 07/20

Tuesday 07/21

Wednesday 07/22

Thursday 07/23

Friday 07/24

Saturday 07/25

Sunday 07/26

$218

Monday 07/27

Tuesday 07/28

$218

Wednesday 07/29

Thursday 07/30

$248

Friday 07/31

Saturday 08/01

$218

Sunday 08/02

$232

Monday 08/03

$245

Tuesday 08/04

$233

Wednesday 08/05

$238

Thursday 08/06

$228

Friday 08/07

Saturday 08/08

Sunday 08/09

$218

Monday 08/10

$227

Tuesday 08/11

$229

Wednesday 08/12

$228

Thursday 08/13

Friday 08/14

Saturday 08/15

The cheapest time to travel from El Cajon, CA to Chicago

See here on which day and which time of the day you can find the cheapest bus ticket from El Cajon, CA to Chicago, for the next 30 days.

With a price starting from $218, Sunday is the cheapest day for a bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago. Thursday instead is the most expensive day with prices starting from $228.

Afternoon is the cheapest day time for bus tickets from El Cajon, CA to Chicago, with $218. Morning is the most expensive time of the day with prices starting from $218.

How to save money travelling from El Cajon, CA to Chicago

Travel can be expensive, but it doesn't need to be! Do you want to avoid paying a terrible price for your trip? Then follow these quick steps to save money:

Book the ticket from El Cajon, CA to Chicago in advance! The earlier you book, the cheaper usually the price is. Also, you will be sure to have a place on the bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago, compared instead if you buy it at the last moment, or directly at the station.

If you can, avoid travelling at peak times. Instead of weekend, try travelling during the week. Travelling in the evening or at night it’s also cheaper, and later buses from El Cajon, CA to Chicago are also emptier.

All bus stations and stops in El Cajon, CA and Chicago

In the map below, you can see where to find all bus stations in El Cajon, CA and Chicago.

Bus Stop

S Marshall Ave 250

Parkway Plaza

Parkway Plaza Mall

95th Red Line Station

W. 95th St 14

Downtown Bus Station

West Harrison Street 630-670

Union Station

S Canal St 225

Cumberland CTA

N Cumberland Ave 5800

Canal & Van Buren

S Canal St 310-320

Service and Comfort on the bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago

Want to know which seat classes are available on the buses from El Cajon, CA to Chicago? Or which bus companies serve the route El Cajon, CA to Chicago? Below you will find answers to your questions.

FAQs about the El Cajon, CA to Chicago bus

How much does a El Cajon, CA Chicago bus trip cost?

This depends on, among other things, the day and time of travel. The cheapest trip is available from $218 and takes 60h 0m to reach Chicago. Compare offers to save money!

How much could I save by comparing buses from El Cajon, CA to Chicago?

This route is offered by 1 companies with a range of ticket prices between $218 and $264. Thus, we recommend booking your ticket as early as possible to make sure you get the cheapest bus ticket to Chicago.

On average, how many connections are available from El Cajon, CA to Chicago each day?

Every day, the El Cajon, CA to Chicago bus route is served by approximately 2 connections. With our search, you can compare bus times to find the perfect trip.

How long does a bus journey from El Cajon, CA to Chicago take?

The fastest bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago is offered by Greyhound US and takes 53h 50m. Bus tickets for this connection cost $218. In this context, bear in mind that the journey can take longer due to traffic.

What time is the first bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago?

The earliest bus arriving in Chicago from El Cajon, CA starts at 10:15 AM. However, information regarding departure times may differ on weekends and holidays. Simply use our search to find exact times for your planned travel date.

What time is the last bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago?

The latest bus trip departing from El Cajon, CA for Chicago starts at 5:20 PM. Please note that departure times may differ on weekends and holidays. So just use our search to find the exact times for your planned travel date.

Which bus companies operate the El Cajon, CA Chicago route?

When traveling by bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago, passengers can travel with Greyhound US. With our search, you can compare all available bus tickets to book the one that works for you.

Is there a direct bus between El Cajon, CA and Chicago?

You can check all the direct connections between El Cajon, CA and Chicago by using our search and looking at the Changes section in our filters. These are some of the companies which offer a direct bus: Greyhound US.

What can I take with me on the El Cajon, CA to Chicago bus route?

Depending on which provider you travel with, what you're allowed to bring with you can vary. Generally, you can take a suitcase and hand luggage with you on the El Cajon, CA Chicago bus route free of charge. Simply use our search to find a bus that is best suited to your needs for your planned travel date.

What equipment is available for the El Cajon, CA Chicago bus route?

The equipment on board differs depending on the provider. However, many long-distance buses have WiFi so you can tell your friends your exact location during the journey. To make traveling even more pleasant, air conditioning systems provide ventilation. It is best to use our search to get precise information about the equipment of the bus from El Cajon, CA to Chicago on your planned travel date.

Available seat classes which are offered on the bus route El Cajon, CA to Chicago

Economy

The cheapest option available for your ticket, it usually comes with reclinable seats and AC.

More bus routes to El Cajon, CA and to Chicago

Here’s an overview of the most popular bus routes to El Cajon, CA and to Chicago. Simply click on the connection of your choice, and you will find all the details about your bus route!