There are 5 ways to get from Chicago to Santee by plane, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), train (Amtrak), 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.
Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)MDW - SAN
7h 35m$188–840Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport
cheapest- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)ORD - SAN
7h 54m$94–430Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Phoenix Bus Station
- Take the bus from Phoenix Bus Station to El Cajon Transit Center
45h 35m$286–578Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak StationSouthwest Chief
- Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego Old Town Transportation CenterPacific Surfliner
47h 2m$247–499Drive 2,074.7 mi
- Drive from Chicago to Santee2,074.7 mi
32h 23m$379–547
Chicago to Santee by bus and tram
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Santee is to fly which costs $90 - $430 and takes 7h 54m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Santee is to fly which takes 7h 35m and costs $180 - $850.
No, there is no direct train from Chicago station to Santee station. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at Santee Town Center Station via Fullerton Amtrak Station, Old Town Station and El Cajon Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 47h 2m.
The distance between Chicago and Santee is 1774 miles. The road distance is 2086.8 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Santee without a car is to bus which takes 45h 35m and costs $280 - $600.
It takes approximately 7h 35m to get from Chicago to Santee, including transfers.
Chicago to Santee train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Santee is to fly which takes 7h 35m and costs $180 - $850. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $280 - $600 and takes 45h 35m, you could also train, which costs $240 - $500 and takes 47h 2m.
Santee is 2h behind Chicago. It is currently 9:18 AM in Chicago and 7:18 AM in Santee.
Chicago to Santee train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Fullerton Amtrak Station.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Santee, CA, USA?
Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Gillespie Field Station via St Louis Bus Station, Phoenix Bus Station, El Cajon Transit Center, and El Cajon Station in around 45h 35m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Omaha
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–800
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $150–650
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–650
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–650
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- 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 Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 42h 44m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $210–440
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego Old Town Transportation Center
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 9m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $29–34
- 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
- $40–100
- 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 Phoenix Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 30h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $200–380
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Phoenix Bus Station to El Cajon Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $45–100
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
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.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Santee is 2087 miles. It takes approximately 32h 23m to drive from Chicago to Santee.
There are 508+ hotels available in Santee.










