There are 11 ways to get from Illinois to California by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), 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 Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane ORD - SAN
6h 55m$174–760Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
cheapest- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane ORD - LAX
7h 34m$114–449Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain Southwest Chief / ...
43h 32m$200–500Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus FlixBus N2521 / ...
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus Greyhound US1210
45h 55m$158–433Drive 2,012.7 mi
- Drive from Chicago to Los Angelescar 2,012.7 mi
31h 31m$368–531Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MDW - SAN
6h 41m$254–1,110Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Sacramento International Airport
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)plane ORD - SMF
7h$194–859Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane MDW - SJC
7h 3m$318–1,411Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane MDW - LAX
7h 29m$134–569Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Ontario International Airport, train
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Ontario International Airport (ONT)plane MDW - ONT
- Take the train from Rancho Cucamonga to L.A. Union Stationtrain
8h 54m$242–1,119Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane ORD - SNA
9h 21m$148–761
Illinois to California by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Illinois to California is to bus which costs $150 - $440 and takes 45h 55m.
The fastest way to get from Illinois to California is to fly which takes 6h 41m and costs $250 - $1,200.
No, there is no direct bus from Illinois station to California station. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at Los Angeles Union Station via St Louis Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 45h 55m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Chicago Union Station station and arriving at Los Angeles. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 43h 32m.
The distance between Illinois and California is 1754 miles. The road distance is 2024.5 miles.
The best way to get from Illinois to California without a car is to train which takes 43h 32m and costs $200 - $500.
It takes approximately 6h 55m to get from Illinois to California, including transfers.
Illinois to California bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Illinois to California train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Illinois to California is to fly which takes 6h 55m and costs $170 - $800. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $200 - $500 and takes 43h 32m, you could also bus, which costs $150 - $440 and takes 45h 55m.
What companies run services between Illinois, 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) hourly. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angeles once daily. Tickets cost $200–500 and the journey takes 43h 32m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 11m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 18m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- When
- Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $250–1,100
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Sacramento International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Thursday
- Estimated price
- $190–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Sacramento International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 30m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $200–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $85–370
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $310–1,400
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $310–1,400
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $320–1,400
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Long Beach
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 20m
- When
- Monday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $340–1,500
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport via Ontario International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 25m
- When
- Tuesday and Wednesday
- Estimated price
- $340–1,500
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 18m
- When
- Tuesday to Sunday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via El Paso
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Monday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 35m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $120–550
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Ontario International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Ontario International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $240–1,100
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Ontario International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 16m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Ontario International Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 22m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $230–1,100
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Saturday
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- When
- Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $140–650
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 44m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 38m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Sacramento International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Sacramento International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 57m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 48m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $85–370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 39m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 14m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Sacramento International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 39m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 37m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $85–370
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 39m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 39m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–650
- Website
- delta.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Sacramento International Airport via Salt Lake City
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 51m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Sacramento International Airport via Minneapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 59m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $190–850
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $85–370
- Website
- spirit.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–410
- Website
- flyfrontier.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 27m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $85–370
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 43h 32m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $200–500
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- (800) 371-LINK (5465)
- Website
- metrolinktrains.com
Train from Rancho Cucamonga to L.A. Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $8–12
- Website
- https://metrolinktrains.com
- 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
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 Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 38h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $120–370
- 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
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Illinois to California bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
California is 2h behind Illinois. It is currently 5:00 AM in Illinois and 3:00 AM in California.
Illinois to California train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Los Angeles station.
Yes, the driving distance between Illinois to California is 2024 miles. It takes approximately 31h 31m to drive from Illinois to California.
Book your Illinois to California train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Illinois to California bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 3396+ hotels available in California.











