There are 6 ways to get from Chicago to Santee by plane, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), train (Amtrak), 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.
Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane ORD - SAN
8h 5m$108–480Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Phoenix Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Phoenix Bus Station to El Cajon Transit Centerbus
45h 25m$396–595Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain Southwest Chief
- Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego Old Town Transportation Centertrain Pacific Surfliner
46h 59m$1,279–1,987Drive 2,074.7 mi
- Drive from Chicago to Santeecar 2,074.7 mi
32h 36m$367–530Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MDW - SAN
7h 52m$168–790Train to General Mitchell International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukeetrain
- Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MKE - SAN
9h 16m$215–871
Chicago to Santee by bus and tram
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Santee is to fly which costs $100 - $480 and takes 8h 5m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Santee is to fly which takes 7h 52m and costs $160 - $800.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to Santee. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at El Cajon Transit Center via St Louis Bus Station and Phoenix Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 45h 25m.
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 46h 59m.
The distance between Chicago and Santee is 1776 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 25m and costs $390 - $600.
It takes approximately 8h 5m to get from Chicago to Santee, including transfers.
Chicago to Santee bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
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 8h 5m and costs $100 - $480. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $390 - $600 and takes 45h 25m, you could also train, which costs $1,200 - $2,000 and takes 46h 59m.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Santee, CA, USA?
American Airlines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, Inc. fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) hourly. 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 25m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 21m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 20m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 31m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–750
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–440
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–440
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–440
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 43m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–700
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from General Mitchell International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 42h 44m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $1,200–1,900
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego Old Town Transportation Center
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 11m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $55–85
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukee
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 29m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $45–75
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Phoenix Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 30h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $280–420
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Phoenix Bus Station to El Cajon Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $65–100
- Website
- Greyhound
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
Booking & Getting There
Chicago to Santee bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
Santee is 2h behind Chicago. It is currently 5:20 AM in Chicago and 3:20 AM in Santee.
Chicago to Santee train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Fullerton Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Santee is 2087 miles. It takes approximately 32h 36m to drive from Chicago to Santee.
There are 104+ hotels available in Santee.









