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Charter bus companies in the United States
16,882 active passenger carriers in the U.S. report motorcoaches or buses with 16+ seats to the FMCSA. Use them for group trips, tours, weddings, corporate shuttles, sports teams and church or school outings. Interstate trips need a carrier with active FMCSA passenger authority (an MC number).
Before you hire one
- Check the USDOT number on FMCSA SAFER and make sure the company is “Authorized for Passenger” if you cross state lines.
- Ask for the certificate of insurance — interstate carriers with 16+ seat buses must carry at least $5 million liability.
- Ask the year and model of the bus you will get, and whether it has seat belts, restroom, Wi-Fi and wheelchair lift.
- Get the quote in writing: hourly or daily rate, minimum hours, driver tip, fuel, tolls, parking and overnight driver lodging.
Questions
How much does it cost to rent a charter bus?
Most U.S. motorcoach charters are priced by the hour (often with a 4–5 hour minimum) or by the day for long trips. Price depends on bus size, date, distance and demand — weekends in spring (prom and wedding season) cost the most. Get at least three written quotes.
How far ahead should I book a charter bus?
Book 2–3 months ahead for spring and fall weekends, graduation season and big events. For ordinary weekdays, 2–4 weeks is often enough.
What is the difference between a USDOT and an MC number?
The USDOT number identifies the carrier for safety records. The MC number is its operating authority to carry passengers for hire across state lines. A carrier that only runs trips inside one state may have a USDOT number but no MC number.
Find a bus company near you
Every company in our directory is an active FMCSA-registered passenger carrier. Browse by state and city, compare fleets and safety records and contact companies directly.
- Active FMCSA-registered passenger carriers
- USDOT, MC and safety rating shown
- Free to use, no sign-up