There are 12 ways to get from Chicago to El Centro by plane, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), train, bus, car, or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Imperial County Airport
best- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Imperial County Airport (IPL)plane MDW - IPL
8h 30m$192–868Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Imperial County Airport
cheapest- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Imperial County Airport (IPL)plane ORD - IPL
8h 59m$132–568Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Indio Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Indio Bus Station to El Centro Bus Stopbus
45h 45m$338–631Train, bus via San Bernardino
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to San Bernardinotrain Southwest Chief
- Take the bus from San Bernardino to El Centro Bus Stopbus FlixBus 2055
46h 23m$535–1,196Drive 1,936.8 mi
- Drive from Chicago to El Centrocar 1,936.8 mi
33h 56m$354–511Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Phoenix, bus
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Phoenix (PHX)plane MDW - PHX
- Take the bus from Phoenix Bus Station to El Centro Bus Stopbus
11h 19m$212–910Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Phoenix, bus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Phoenix (PHX)plane ORD - PHX
- Take the bus from Phoenix Bus Station to El Centro Bus Stopbus
11h 42m$332–610Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Palm Springs International Airport, bus, taxi
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)plane ORD - PSP
- Take the bus from Palm Springs Airport to Yucca Valley Transit Centerbus
- Take the taxi from Yucca Valley Transit Center to Indio Bus Stationtaxi
- Take the bus from Indio Bus Station to El Centro Bus Stopbus
11h 36m$308–882Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport, bus
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MDW - SAN
- Take the bus from Tijuana to Mexicalibus
13h 6m$298–1,265Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport, bus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane ORD - SAN
- Take the bus from Tijuana to Mexicalibus
13h 28m$198–865Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport, bus
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Yuma International Airport (YUM)plane MDW - YUM
- Take the bus from 3rd Street @ Gila Street to State Street @ 8th Streetbus
11h 27m$164–759Train, bus
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Yuma Amtraktrain Texas Eagle
- Take the bus from 3rd Street @ Gila Street to State Street @ 8th Streetbus 10
2d 15h$589–1,322
Chicago to El Centro by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to El Centro is to fly which costs $130 - $600 and takes 8h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to El Centro is to fly which takes 8h 30m and costs $190 - $900.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to El Centro. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at El Centro Bus Stop via St Louis Bus Station and Indio Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 45h 45m.
The distance between Chicago and El Centro is 1664 miles. The road distance is 1948.1 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to El Centro without a car is to bus which takes 45h 45m and costs $330 - $650.
It takes approximately 8h 30m to get from Chicago to El Centro, including transfers.
Chicago to El Centro bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to El Centro is to fly which takes 8h 30m and costs $190 - $900. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $330 - $650 and takes 45h 45m.
Chicago to El Centro bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
El Centro is 2h behind Chicago. It is currently 4:39 AM in Chicago and 2:39 AM in El Centro.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and El Centro, CA, USA?
Southwest Airlines and Southern Airways Express fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Imperial County Airport (IPL) twice daily. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to El Centro Bus Stop via St Louis Bus Station and Indio Bus Station in around 45h 45m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Phoenix via Omaha
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 25m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Phoenix via El Paso
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $190–900
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Phoenix via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 38m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 1m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–550
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Palm Springs International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–650
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 29m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $270–1,200
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Colorado Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $270–1,200
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $270–1,200
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Omaha
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $270–1,200
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $270–1,200
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Tucson
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- When
- Tuesday and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $280–1,300
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–550
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Palm Springs International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Palm Springs International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Kansas City, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Omaha, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 40m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Des Moines, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 55m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Albuquerque, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 34m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via El Paso, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 4m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 9m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–550
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Palm Springs International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Palm Springs International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 43m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–800
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Kansas City, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 6m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Omaha, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 40m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Des Moines, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 55m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via Albuquerque, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 10h 34m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Yuma International Airport via El Paso, Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 4m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
- Website
- iflysouthern.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Imperial County Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 53m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Imperial County Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 57m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $210–950
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Imperial County Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 29m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Imperial County Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 58m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
- Website
- flyfrontier.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 8m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–550
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Palm Springs International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 49m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to San Bernardino
- Ave. Duration
- 41h 21m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $500–1,200
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Yuma Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 12h
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $550–1,400
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35–65
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Bus from Indio Bus Station to El Centro Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $10–17
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Bus from San Bernardino to El Centro Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $19–35
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Bus from Phoenix Bus Station to El Centro Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $30–55
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Indio Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 36h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $290–550
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- 760 366 2395
- comments@basin-transit.com
- Website
- basin-transit.com
Bus from Palm Springs Airport to Yucca Valley Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $5–10
- Website
- https://basin-transit.com/
- Phone
- +52 664 104 7400
- servicioalcliente@geb.mx
- Website
- abc.com.mx
Bus from Tijuana to Mexicali
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $20–35
- Schedules at
- abc.com.mx
- Book at
- abc.com.mx
- Phone
- +1 928-783-2235
- Website
- ycipta.org
Bus from 3rd Street @ Gila Street to State Street @ 8th Street
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.ycipta.org/
- Youth 5-18 w/ Student ID, Seniors 65+, Disabled
- $1
- Adults 19-64
- $2
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- Estimated price
- $160–200
Lucky 777 Cab
- Phone
- +1 760-660-9115
- Website
- lucky777cab.com
Desert City Cab
- Phone
- +1 760-328-3000
- Website
- desertcitycab.com
American Cab
- Phone
- +1 760-300-0000
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to El Centro is 1948 miles. It takes approximately 33h 56m to drive from Chicago to El Centro.
Book your Chicago to El Centro bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 82+ hotels available in El Centro.













