America’s Longest Bus Rides and Scenic Routes
Next time you catch yourself complaining about your 4-hour bus ride from Boston to New York City, consider this: there are cross-country routes in the U.S. that take more than three full days — and people still happily ride them. And yes, we’ll also get back to that record-breaking 54,000-mile journey in a bit, but first, let’s look closer to home.
Tip: Download the free CheckMyBus app to compare prices, schedules, and book directly on your phone.
The U.S. is the 4th largest country in the world by land area — about 3.5 million square miles. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and buses remain one of the most affordable (and surprisingly scenic) ways to do it.
There’s something poetic about crossing the country by bus — Jack Kerouac did it in the 1950s, and the spirit of the open road lives on. The difference? These days, you get free Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining seats and, if you're lucky, a power nap instead of hitchhiking.
And if you're a remote worker, you might even get paid while riding across the country. Who says the American Dream is dead?
Here are the longest regularly scheduled intercity bus routes in the United States:
1. Miami, FL → Seattle, WA
From Palms to Pines – A True Cross-Country Adventure
This is not only the longest regular bus ride in the U.S., but also one of the most geographically diverse. In just over three days, you’ll travel from tropical South Florida through iconic music cities, Midwest metropolises, and the rugged Rocky Mountains, all the way to the evergreen Pacific Northwest.
- Duration: ~73 hours 25 minutes
- Provider: Greyhound
- Stops Include: Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Indianapolis, Chicago, Minneapolis, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Buffalo (WY)
- Price: from $261
- Fun fact: This route connects two completely different worlds — sunny, party-loving Miami and laid-back, rainy Seattle.
2. Miami, FL → Portland, OR
Through the Heart of America – One State at a Time
This route offers an epic coast-to-coast experience across the American heartland. Departing from the palm-lined streets of Miami, you’ll cross the Midwest, the Great Plains, and the Rockies before arriving in the artsy, green streets of Portland.
- Duration: ~77 hours 25 minutes
- Provider: Greyhound
- Stops Include: St. Louis, Topeka, Denver, Cheyenne, Salt Lake City
- Price: from $281
- Fun fact: This journey covers every U.S. time zone — a full-spectrum American road trip!
3. Bangor, ME → Los Angeles, CA
From Quiet New England to the Buzz of L.A.
Begin your journey in Maine’s quiet northeast, surrounded by forests and coastline, and end it under the palm trees and sunshine of Southern California. This ride offers a rich contrast of landscapes, cultures, and climates — it’s America from top to bottom.
- Duration: ~82 hours 40 minutes
- Provider: Greyhound
- Stops Include: Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Memphis, Dallas, El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix
- Price: from $316
- Fun fact: This route passes through nearly every American biome — from coastal woods to deserts to the sprawling cities of the West.
4. San Francisco, CA → Miami, FL
From the Golden Gate to Ocean Drive
Start your journey overlooking the iconic San Francisco Bay and end it on the vibrant, pastel-colored streets of Miami. This coast-to-coast ride is a real showcase of American variety — with deserts, mountain ranges, bayous, and beaches all on the itinerary.
- Duration: ~76 hours 50 minutes
- Provider: Greyhound
- Stops Include: Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Dallas, New Orleans, Orlando
- Price: from $198
- Fun fact: You’ll cross the entire southern belt of the U.S., from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.
What Can You Do in 88 Hours?
Just for perspective — if you’re stuck on a bus for nearly four days, here’s what you could do:
- Watch every episode of Game of Thrones (approx. 63 hours)
- Write a few chapters of your novel
- Get in a full remote work week (Wi-Fi permitting!)
- Listen to dozens of podcasts or catch up on audiobooks
The Record-Breaking Bus Ride (Just for Fun)
Still wondering how America’s longest bus rides compare to global journeys? Well, one epic 54,000-mile journey took place between November 1988 and December 1989. It started in London and made its way across 18 countries and 5 continents, visiting:
London, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Milan, Istanbul, Dubai, Lahore, Bombay, Singapore, Perth, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Liverpool, and back to London.
We’re still not entirely sure how they went from Sydney to Rio de Janeiro — but we suspect a ferry (and a sense of humor) was involved.
More Articles in the Checkmybus Blog
Are you also interested in other topics relating to long-distance coach travel? You can find many more articles on booking, passenger rights and more on the overview page of our blog. There you will find the following articles, among others:
