Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc. | Bus | Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan | Ames (Phillips 66) | Cheapest | ||||
 | Bus | Downtown Greyhound Station | Ames (Phillips 66) | Fastest | ||||
FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc. | Bus | Chicago 95Th & Dan Ryan | Ames (Phillips 66) | No tags | ||||
 | Bus | Chicago (Bus Station) | Ames | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 8:40 PM CST.
Get from Chicago to Ames
The journey takes about 11 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just $60, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in Chicago and Ames?
Stops in Chicago
- A630 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- C
Polk St & Canal St
500-536 W Polk St, Chicago IL 60607, USA - D
Tornado Bus S Kedzie Ave
2807 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60623, USA - E
Cumberland CTA
5800 N Cumberland Ave, Chicago, IL 60631, USA - F
Turimex California Ave
2139 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
Stops in Ames
- A
Intermodal Facility
129 Hayward Ave, Ames, IA 50014, USA
Compare bus companies
Frequently asked questions about traveling from Chicago to Ames, IA, US by bus
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Chicago to Ames?
The cheapest bus tickets from Chicago to Ames start from $60. The average price for this route is around $69. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Chicago to Ames?
The average bus trip duration from Chicago to Ames is 11h 30m, covering a distance of 308 miles (497 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 7h 30m and is operated by Jefferson Lines.
Which bus companies service the Chicago to Ames route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 3 buses available per day, including services from Greyhound, Jefferson Lines.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Chicago to Ames?
The earliest bus departs from Chicago to Ames at 5:25am. And the latest bus departs at 11:50pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Chicago to Ames?
A bus trip from Chicago to Ames generates an estimated 12 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Chicago to Ames?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Jefferson Lines, with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars based on 759 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Chicago to Ames?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Jefferson Lines has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.1.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Chicago to Ames?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Jefferson Lines, with a punctuality rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Chicago to Ames?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Jefferson Lines, with a cleanliness rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Chicago to Ames, IA, US was searched and found on Dec 3, 2025 with a price of $57To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Chicago to Ames, IA, US, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $57 to $188 for a bus ticket from Chicago to Ames, IA, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $57 which is on 2025-12-06.
Usually Jefferson Lines 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.
