Coach Bus Prices: How Much Does a Waukegan Coach Bus Rental Cost?
Coach bus rental prices in Waukegan, Illinois, vary depending on your trip details, but you can expect to pay between $170 and $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day. The best way to get an exact quote is to call our team at 224-570-5870 or use our online quote tool to compare prices and see photos of buses in under 30 seconds. Below, we’ve listed estimated rates for different bus types and explained the main factors that will affect your final price. Whether you’re planning a field trip to Six Flags Great America, a wedding at the Waukegan Yacht Club, or a corporate shuttle to downtown Chicago, Waukegan Coach Bus Service has the perfect bus for your group at a price you’ll love.
| Vehicle Type | Per Hour* | Per Day* | Per Mile* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56-Passenger Coach Bus | $197 – $519 | $1,600 – $3,800 | $5.00 – $8.00 |
| 25-Passenger Minibus | $165 – $428 | $1,300 – $3,200 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
| 20-Passenger Minibus | $157 – $414 | $1,300 – $3,100 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
| 18-Passenger Minibus | $145 – $404 | $1,300 – $3,000 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
*Prices vary and fluctuate with fuel costs, holidays, and availability. Booking early usually secures the lowest rate. For exact pricing, please call our reservations team.
How Much Does a Coach Bus Rental Cost?
The average cost to rent a coach bus in Waukegan is $170–$325 per hour, $1,800–$2,900 per day, or $3,600–$6,000 per week. These full-size buses seat 40–56 passengers and are ideal for long-distance trips, school field trips, sports team transportation, or large-scale event shuttles. Each coach comes equipped with an onboard restroom, reclining seats, climate control, luggage bays, and optional amenities like WiFi, power outlets, and TV monitors. If you need something smaller, minibuses (18–35 passengers) start at $150 per hour or $1,600 per day, while sprinter vans (10–15 passengers) are available from $145 per hour or $1,450 per day. For the most accurate pricing, get an instant quote online or call Waukegan Coach Bus Service anytime.
What Factors Influence Coach Bus Rental Pricing in Waukegan?
Several key factors will determine the total cost of your Waukegan bus rental:
- Trip Duration: Most companies charge by the hour (with a 4- or 5-hour minimum), by the day (for multi-day trips), or by mileage (for long-distance routes). Local charters within Lake County are usually billed hourly, while out-of-state trips to Indiana, Wisconsin, or Michigan may use daily or mileage-based rates.
- Travel Dates: Bus rental prices are highest during peak season (April–June for school trips, May–October for weddings, and September–November for football games). You’ll pay less in winter or on weekdays. Major events like Lollapalooza, Ravinia Festival, or Bears games can also drive up demand.
- Pickup Location: If your bus has to deadhead (travel empty) from another city, you’ll be charged for that extra time and mileage. We have buses stationed across Illinois—including Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, and Springfield—so we can minimize deadhead costs.
- Itinerary Complexity: Multiple stops, split pickups, or tight schedules may require additional planning or even a second bus. Simple round-trips are cheaper than all-day shuttles or multi-city tours.
- Amenities: Premium features like WiFi, power outlets, leather seats, or ADA lifts may cost extra. Be sure to specify what your group needs when requesting a quote.
- Tolls and Parking: Any tolls (I-94, Skyway, etc.), parking fees (Soldier Field, United Center, Navy Pier), or entrance charges (Great America, Brookfield Zoo) are typically passed through to the customer.
- Gratuity: While not always required, it’s customary to tip your driver 10–20% for excellent service. This can be added to your contract or given in cash at the end of the trip.
To get an exact price for your next trip, call our team at 224-570-5870 or fill out our online form with your headcount, itinerary, and must-have amenities. We’ll send you a custom quote in minutes!
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Waukegan, IL, and around Lake County. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Waukegan School Field Trip to Chicago Museums
A local elementary school is planning a field trip from Waukegan to Chicago’s Museum Campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium). They need two 56-passenger coach buses to transport 100 students and chaperones. The itinerary includes a 9:00 AM departure, arrival in Chicago by 10:30 AM, and return to Waukegan by 3:30 PM. Total charter time is 6 hours per bus. At an average rate of $200 per hour, the school will pay $1,200 per bus, or $2,400 total. Museum Campus offers free bus parking, but the school should budget an additional $100–$200 for driver tips.
Corporate Shuttle From Waukegan to O’hare Airport
An aerospace company in Waukegan is providing employee shuttles to O’Hare International Airport for a week-long training session. They’re renting a 25-passenger minibus to run two round-trips per day: morning pickup at 6:00 AM, evening return at 6:00 PM. The drive time is approximately 1 hour each way, with the bus waiting at O’Hare during the day. For a 12-hour daily rental over 5 days, the company will pay $1,250 per day ($100 per hour), or $6,250 for the week. Tolls on I-294 and parking at O’Hare are extra.
Wedding Shuttle in Lake Forest
A bride is hosting her ceremony at the Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest and reception at Conway Farms Golf Club. She’s hiring a 20-passenger minibus to shuttle guests between venues and back to local hotels in Waukegan and Gurnee. The shuttle will make continuous loops from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM (7 hours). At $125 per hour, the total cost is $875. The bride requested a vehicle with leather seats and Bluetooth audio, which was included at no extra charge.
Six Flags Great America Group Outing
A youth sports league is organizing a summer outing to Six Flags Great America in Gurnee. They’re chartering a single 40-passenger bus to pick up riders at a Waukegan park district lot at 9:00 AM, drop off at the amusement park by 9:30 AM, and return for pickup at 6:00 PM. The bus will remain on standby in the parking lot all day. This is an 8-hour local charter, quoted at $1,600 ($200 per hour). Six Flags charges $25 for oversized vehicle parking, which is not included.
Concert Trip to Ravinia Festival
A group of friends from Libertyville is renting a 15-passenger sprinter van for a night out at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. The van will pick up at a central location at 5:00 PM, drop off at the Ravinia gate by 6:00 PM, and wait onsite until the concert ends at 10:00 PM. Total charter time is 5 hours, billed at $145 per hour ($725 total). Ravinia offers free bus parking with advance registration. The group opted for a sprinter with reclining seats and USB chargers.
Multi-day Charter to Springfield
A veterans’ organization is booking a 3-day trip from Waukegan to Springfield to tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and State Capitol. They need a 56-passenger coach with restroom, WiFi, and DVD monitors. Day 1: Depart Waukegan at 8:00 AM, arrive Springfield by 3:00 PM, hotel drop-off. Day 2: Local sightseeing (8 hours). Day 3: Return to Waukegan by 6:00 PM. Total charter hours: 8 + 8 + 8 = 24 hours. At $200 per hour, the base rate is $4,800. The group is responsible for providing two nights’ hotel accommodation for the driver, plus meals. Parking at Springfield attractions is free for buses.