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How to get fromWashington, DC to Chicagoby plane, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, train or subway

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There are 10 ways to get from Washington, DC to Chicago by plane, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, train, or subway

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 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)planeDCA - MDW
    4h 8m
    $126–712

  2. Bus (Greyhound)

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus StationbusGreyhound US0164
    17h 25m
    $65–190

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union StationtrainFloridian / ...
    17h 40m
    $100–600

  4. Drive 687.7 mi

    1. Drive from Washington, DC to Chicagocar687.7 mi
    11h 48m
    $126–182

  5. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)planeDCA - ORD
    4h 22m
    $101–562

  6. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)planeBWI - MDW
    4h 19m
    $74–940

  7. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)planeIAD - ORD
    5h
    $156–766

  8. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)planeBWI - ORD
    4h 38m
    $84–870

  9. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to General Mitchell International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)planeDCA - MKE
    2. Take the train from Milwaukee to Chicago Union Stationtrain
    6h 28m
    $268–1,432

  10. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to South Bend, train

    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to South Bend (SBN)planeIAD - SBN
    3. Take the train from South Bend Airport to Van Buren St.train
    6h 59m
    $97–476

Washington, DC to Chicago by bus (Greyhound)

Calendar14Weekly Buses
Duration17h 25mAverage Duration
Ticket$65Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Washington, DC, USA and Chicago, IL, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) 5 times a day. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Station twice daily. Tickets cost $65–190 and the journey takes 17h 25m.

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Need to know: Greyhound

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