There are 7 ways to get from Chicago to Alpena by train, bus, bus (Amtrak), car, plane, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train, bus
best- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Flint Amtrak Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Flint to Bay Citybus
- Take the bus from Bay City to Alpenabus
11h 42m$182–296Drive 414.4 mi
cheapest- Drive from Chicago to Alpenacar 414.4 mi
7h 18m$71–103Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Flint Amtrak Stationbus
- Take the bus from Flint to Bay Citybus
- Take the bus from Bay City to Alpenabus
11h 47mFly Chicago Midway International Airport to Alpena County Regional Airport
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Alpena County Regional Airport (APN)plane MDW - APN
8h 36m$106–500Bus via Detroit
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Detroit Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Detroit to Bay Citybus
- Take the bus from Bay City to Alpenabus
14h 59m$98–174Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Alpena County Regional Airport
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Alpena County Regional Airport (APN)plane ORD - APN
6h 57m$76–320Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mbs International Airport, bus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mbs International Airport (MBS)plane ORD - MBS
- Take the bus from Bay City to Alpenabus
7h 49m$94–342
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Alpena County Regional Airport (APN) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Alpena is to drive which costs $70 - $110 and takes 7h 18m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Alpena is to fly which takes 6h 57m and costs $75 - $320.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to Alpena. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at Alpena via Flint and Bay City. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 11h 47m.
The distance between Chicago and Alpena is 442 miles. The road distance is 416.8 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Alpena without a car is to train and bus which takes 11h 42m and costs $180 - $300.
It takes approximately 11h 42m to get from Chicago to Alpena, including transfers.
Chicago to Alpena bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Alpena is to bus which takes 11h 47m and costs . Alternatively, you can fly, which costs $100 - $500 and takes 8h 36m.
Chicago to Alpena bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Flint Amtrak Station.
Alpena is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 6:08 AM in Chicago and 7:08 AM in Alpena.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Alpena, MI, USA?
You can take a bus from Chicago Union Station to Alpena via Flint Amtrak Station, Flint, Bay City, and Alpena in around 11h 47m. Alternatively, Delta and Southwest Airlines fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Alpena County Regional Airport (APN) 4 times a day.
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Alpena County Regional Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–460
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Alpena County Regional Airport via Detroit
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 8m
- When
- Monday, Friday, Sunday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $45–280
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mbs International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–250
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Flint Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 3m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $140–220
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 989-725-5105
- Website
- Indian Trails
Bus from Flint to Bay City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $9–24
- Website
- Indian Trails
Bus from Bay City to Alpena
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–45
- Website
- Indian Trails
Bus from Flint to Bay City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $9–24
- Website
- Indian Trails
Bus from Bay City to Alpena
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–45
- Website
- Indian Trails
Bus from Detroit to Bay City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $19–40
- Website
- Indian Trails
Bus from Bay City to Alpena
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–45
- Website
- Indian Trails
Bus from Bay City to Alpena
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–45
- Website
- Indian Trails
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Chicago Union Station to Flint Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 8m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Detroit Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–80
- Website
- Greyhound
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Detroit Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 25m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $45–70
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Alpena is 417 miles. It takes approximately 7h 18m to drive from Chicago to Alpena.
There are 13+ hotels available in Alpena.







