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

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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.

  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)plane plane DCA - MDW
    4h 3m
    $135–759

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

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane plane BWI - MDW
    4h 53m
    $86–1,008

  3. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0164
    18h 42m
    $102–213

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Floridian / ...
    19h 5m
    $222–483

  5. Drive 686.9 mi

    1. Drive from Washington DC to Chicagocar car 686.9 mi
    11h 56m
    $126–182

  6. 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)plane plane DCA - ORD
    4h 26m
    $100–559

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

    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane IAD - ORD
    4h 49m
    $374–613

  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 train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane BWI - ORD
    5h 11m
    $126–1,308

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

    1. Take the subway from McPherson Square, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to South Bend (SBN)plane plane IAD - SBN
    3. Take the train from South Bend Airport to Van Buren St.train train
    6h 47m
    $100–433

Washington DC to Chicago by foot, subway, and bus (Greyhound)

Calendar14Weekly Services
Duration18h 42mAverage Duration
Ticket$102Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Washington DC to Chicago.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 616.6 mi
  • Duration: 4h 3m

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

Southwest Airlines and Delta fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) every 4 hours. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Station twice daily. Tickets cost $100–210 and the journey takes 17h 25m.

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