Rome2Rio

How to get fromIllinois to Californiaby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car or train

Find Transport to California

See all options

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.

  1. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane ORD - LAX
    7h 7m
    $104–448

  2. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    43h 32m
    $500–1,200

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus FlixBus N2521 / ...
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus Greyhound US1210
    45h 55m
    $347–663

  4. Drive 2,012.7 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Los Angelescar car 2,012.7 mi
    31h 31m
    $368–531

  5. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane MDW - SAN
    6h 36m
    $284–1,310

  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 55m
    $184–860

  7. 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 38m
    $294–1,409

  8. 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
    7h
    $194–859

  9. 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
    7h 3m
    $140–618

  10. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Ontario International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Ontario International Airport (ONT)plane plane MDW - ONT
    2. Take the train from Rancho Cucamonga to L.A. Union Stationtrain train
    8h 44m
    $272–1,219

  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 21m
    $148–761

Illinois to California by train (Amtrak)

Calendar10Weekly Trains
Duration43h 32mAverage Duration
Ticket$500Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Illinois, USA and California, USA?

Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) hourly. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angeles once daily. Tickets cost $500–1,200 and the journey takes 43h 32m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers

Trips from Illinois

Trips to California

Popular routes