How Long from New York to Chicago?
Compare all ways to travel: fly (2 hours 30 minutes), drive (12 hours), bus (14 hours), train (19 hours 30 minutes)
Time Comparison
Fly in 2.5 hours or take the overnight Lake Shore Limited for one of Amtrak's most scenic routes along the Hudson and Great Lakes.
Flight
JFK → ORD
2h 30m
ORD → JFK
2h 15m
Distance
740 mi
Time Zone Diff
-1h
Westbound is slightly longer. Both airports are major hubs with frequent delays.
Arrival Time Planner
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Drive
I-80 via Pennsylvania & Indiana
12hStraight shot through the heartland. Pennsylvania Turnpike is scenic through the Appalachians.
I-90 via Erie & Cleveland
12h 15mGreat Lakes route. Detour to Niagara Falls or the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Fuel Cost Estimator
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Train
Duration
19h 30m
Frequency
Once daily
Price Range
$60–$400
Amtrak Lake Shore Limited
19.5 hours along the Great Lakes and through the Appalachians. Overnight with sleeper cars. Scenic Hudson River start.
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 43 songs
- 🚗 Drive: 16 podcast episodes · 12 audiobook chapters
- 🚂 Train: Reading 39 chapters of a novel · 47 email replies