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How to get fromCalifornia to Chicagoby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car or bus

Find Transport to Chicago

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There are 11 ways to get from California to Chicago by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, or bus

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly San Diego International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)planeSAN - MDW
    5h 51m
    $174–760

  2. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)planeLAX - ORD
    6h 20m
    $98–368

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Los Angeles to Chicago Union StationtrainSouthwest Chief / ...
    43h 23m
    $190–1,500

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to St Louis Bus StationbusGreyhound US1210
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Chicago Bus StationbusFlixBus N2521 / ...
    47h 30m
    $196–423

  5. Drive 2,012.2 mi

    1. Drive from Los Angeles to Chicagocar2,012.2 mi
    31h 23m
    $368–531

  6. Fly Long Beach Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport

    1. Fly from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)planeLGB - MDW
    6h 11m
    $143–606

  7. Fly Sacramento International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)planeSMF - ORD
    6h 4m
    $124–558

  8. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)planeLAX - MDW
    6h 4m
    $123–498

  9. Fly San Diego International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)planeSAN - ORD
    6h 10m
    $134–610

  10. Fly John Wayne Airport Orange County to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Fly from John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)planeSNA - ORD
    8h 35m
    $128–471

  11. Bus to Palm Springs International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Take the bus from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Palm Springs Airport Amtrak Bus Stopbus
    2. Fly from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)planePSP - ORD
    9h 10m

California to Chicago by train (Amtrak)

Calendar10Weekly Trains
Duration43h 23mAverage Duration
Ticket$190Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between California, USA and Chicago, IL, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) every 4 hours. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Los Angeles to Chicago Union Station once daily. Tickets cost $190–1,500 and the journey takes 43h 23m.

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