How Long from Chicago to New York?
Compare all ways to travel: fly (2 hours 15 minutes), drive (12 hours), bus (14 hours), train (19 hours 30 minutes)
Time Comparison
The Midwest-to-East-Coast corridor. Flying saves a full day, but the Lake Shore Limited overnight train is a classic American rail experience.
Flight
ORD → JFK
2h 15m
JFK → ORD
2h 30m
Distance
740 mi
Time Zone Diff
+1h
Eastbound is slightly faster. O'Hare delays are legendary — build in buffer.
Arrival Time Planner
--:--
Drive
I-80 via Pennsylvania
12hStraight shot through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania. Flat until the Poconos.
I-90 via Cleveland & Erie
12h 15mSlightly longer but follows the Great Lakes. Stop at Niagara Falls for a detour.
Fuel Cost Estimator
--
Train
Duration
19h 30m
Frequency
Once daily
Price Range
$60–$400 (coach to sleeper)
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited
19.5 hours overnight along the Great Lakes and Hudson River. Sleeper cars available. Arrives into Penn Station.
Bus
Duration
14h
Frequency
Multiple daily
Price Range
$40–$80
Greyhound / FlixBus
14 hours with stops. Overnight services available.
Should You Fly or Drive?
✈️ Fly if...
- • You're traveling solo (no car rental savings to split)
- • Time is more valuable than money
- • The drive is 6+ hours
- • You don't need a car at your destination
🚗 Drive if...
- • You have 2+ passengers (split gas costs)
- • You need a car at your destination
- • You have lots of luggage
- • The journey itself is part of the fun
That Travel Time Is Equivalent To...
- ✈️ Flight: Watching 1 movie · Listening to 39 songs
- 🚗 Drive: 16 podcast episodes · 12 audiobook chapters
- 🚂 Train: Reading 39 chapters of a novel · 47 email replies