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

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), 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 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 22m
    $244–1,110

  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 5m
    $110–448

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    43h 32m
    $600–1,400

  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
    $341–669

  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 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 42m
    $174–760

  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
    6h 46m
    $194–859

  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 29m
    $274–1,209

  9. 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 46m
    $258–1,111

  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 49m
    $160–718

  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 11m
    $178–611

Chicago to California by train (Amtrak)

Calendar10Weekly Trains
Duration43h 32mAverage Duration
Ticket$600Cheapest 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 $600–1,400 and the journey takes 43h 32m.

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