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How to get fromChicago to Californiaby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, or train

Find Transport to California

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

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 Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane MDW - SAN
    6h 16m
    $264–1,110

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

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane ORD - LAX
    7h 3m
    $110–448

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    43h 32m
    $650–1,400

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus FlixBus 2510 / ...
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus Greyhound US1210
    47h 25m
    $332–669

  5. Drive 2,012.7 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Los Angelescar car 2,012.7 mi
    31h 33m
    $368–531

  6. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Sacramento International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)plane plane MDW - SMF
    6h 27m
    $324–1,409

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

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane ORD - SAN
    6h 47m
    $184–810

  8. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane MDW - SJC
    6h 39m
    $288–1,211

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

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane plane ORD - SNA
    6h 38m
    $272–720

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

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane MDW - LAX
    6h 42m
    $150–668

  11. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Ontario International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Ontario International Airport (ONT)plane plane MDW - ONT
    2. Take the train from Rancho Cucamonga to L.A. Union Stationtrain train
    8h 31m
    $262–1,119

Chicago to California by train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Trains
Duration43h 32mAverage Duration
Ticket$650Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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

Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 4 hours. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angeles once daily. Tickets cost $650–1,400 and the journey takes 43h 32m.

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