There are 9 ways to get from Washington DC to Chicago by plane, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, subway, 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 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
best- Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane DCA - ORD
4h 9m$135–859Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
cheapest- Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain
- Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane BWI - ORD
5h 7m$66–907Bus (Greyhound)
- Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0164
18h 27m$112–182Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain Floridian / ...
19h 5m$202–452Drive 686.9 mi
- Drive from Washington DC to Chicagocar 686.9 mi
11h 56m$126–182Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane DCA - MDW
4h 3m$105–609Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway
- Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane IAD - ORD
4h 57m$184–908Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain
- Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane BWI - MDW
4h 48m$126–857Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to South Bend, train
- Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway
- Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to South Bend (SBN)plane IAD - SBN
- Take the train from South Bend Airport to Van Buren St.train
6h 43m$110–568
Washington DC to Chicago by foot, subway, and bus (Greyhound)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Washington DC to Chicago is to bus which costs $110 - $190 and takes 18h 27m.
The fastest way to get from Washington DC to Chicago is to fly which takes 4h 3m and costs $100 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Washington DC station to Chicago station. However, there are services departing from Washington Union Station and arriving at Chicago Bus Station via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 18h 27m.
No, there is no direct train from Washington DC to Chicago station. However, there are services departing from Metro Center, Red Line Track 1 Platform and arriving at Chicago Union Station via Washington Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 19h 5m.
The distance between Washington DC and Chicago is 639 miles. The road distance is 690.9 miles.
The best way to get from Washington DC to Chicago without a car is to bus which takes 18h 27m and costs $110 - $190.
It takes approximately 4h 9m to get from Washington DC to Chicago, including transfers.
Washington DC to Chicago bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Washington Union Station.
Washington DC to Chicago train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Washington Union Station.
The best way to get from Washington DC to Chicago is to fly which takes 4h 9m and costs $130 - $900. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $110 - $190 and takes 18h 27m, you could also train, which costs $200 - $460 and takes 19h 5m.
What companies run services between Washington DC, USA and Chicago, IL, USA?
American Airlines and United Airlines fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) hourly. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Station twice daily. Tickets cost $110–180 and the journey takes 17h 10m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–600
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–420
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport via Columbus
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 36m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $75–420
Flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport via Pittsburgh
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 50m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $75–420
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 48m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $200–450
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–18
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshall
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–18
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $110–180
- Website
- Greyhound
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Washington DC to Chicago bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago is 1h behind Washington DC. It is currently 9:25 AM in Washington DC and 8:25 AM in Chicago.
Washington DC to Chicago train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Washington DC to Chicago is 691 miles. It takes approximately 11h 56m to drive from Washington DC to Chicago.
There are 1286+ hotels available in Chicago.