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

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

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 O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane ORD - SAN
    6h 56m
    $174–810

  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 38m
    $98–379

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    43h 32m
    $190–1,600

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus FlixBus N2521 / ...
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus Greyhound US1210
    45h 55m
    $167–569

  5. Drive 2,012.7 mi

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

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

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane MDW - SAN
    6h 39m
    $234–1,110

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

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)plane plane ORD - SMF
    7h
    $184–859

  8. 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 49m
    $254–1,209

  9. 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
    7h 30m
    $134–569

  10. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Oakland International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane MDW - OAK
    7h 2m
    $226–1,011

  11. 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
    9h 19m
    $138–561

Chicago to California by train (Amtrak)

Calendar10Weekly Trains
Duration43h 32mAverage Duration
Ticket$190Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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

American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Inc., and two other airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 2 hours. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angeles once daily. Tickets cost $190–1,600 and the journey takes 43h 32m.

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