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Here’s a good alternative to pouring $20s into your gas tank. The economy intercity Megabus line has added more daily trips on the Chicago-Minneapolis, Chicago-Milwaukee and Chicago-Madison routes. The bus line touts its $1 fares, and it is true. If you keep searching, you will find $1 fares, especially when checking far in advance.
I searched
for trips between Chicago and Madison in August and found half a dozen $1 fares for the outbound trip. I had more difficulty scoring a $1 for the return but did find one after moving the return date a few days farther away. If you’re flexible, you win.