The distance between Philadelphia and Chicago is around 758 miles (1,220km) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 12h 30m.
We've found 4 different ways to get from Philadelphia to Chicago by bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Chicago → Philadelphia if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Indianapolis and then to Chicago IL.
Greyhound USA
Take the train to Washington Union Station and then to Chicago Union Station.
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
There are several options for getting from Philadelphia to Chicago by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around $130 and will take around 18h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 12h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $75.
The distance between Philadelphia and Chicago is around 758 miles (1,220km). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 663 miles (1,068km)
It takes around 18h 30m to get from Philadelphia and Chicago by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 12h 30m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Philadelphia to Chicago is to drive which takes around 12h 30m and will set you back approx $75.
The cheapest way to travel between Philadelphia and Chicago, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around $130 for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Philadelphia and Chicago. It typically takes around 19h 45m and departs once daily.
Yes there is a direct train service that runs between Philadelphia and Chicago with no changeovers required. The train runs 3 times a week and takes 1 day 2h.
Amtrak Acela, Amtrak Northeast Regional and Amtrak run train services between Philadelphia and Chicago. Trains depart once daily and will take around 19h 45m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Philadelphia and Chicago. It typically takes around 18h 30m and departs twice daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Philadelphia to Chicago. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Indianapolis. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 18h 30m.
Greyhound USA, Hoosier Ride and Barons Bus run regular bus services between Philadelphia and Chicago. Buses run twice daily and take around 18h 30m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Philadelphia to Chicago. We recommend that you take the bus to Indianapolis and then to Chicago IL. instead which will take 18h 30m.
The closest major airport to Chicago is Midway International Airport (MDW) (MDW) which is approximately 14km (9 miles) from Chicago. O'Hare International Airport (ORD) (ORD) and South Bend Regional (SBN) (SBN) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Philadelphia and Chicago. The distance is around 758 miles (1,220km) by road and it will take around 12h 30m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Philadelphia to Chicago is to take the bus which takes, on average, 18h 30m and will usually cost around $130.
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | 18h 30m | $130 | twice daily | 1,382km (859 miles) |
Train + 1 similar | 19h 45m | $185 | once daily | 1,452km (902 miles) |
Train to Chicago Union Station | 1 day 2h | $130 | 3 times a week | 1,684km (1,046 miles) |
Drive | 12h 30m | $75 | on demand | 1,220km (758 miles) |
Frontier Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Delta
United Airlines
American Airlines
Greyhound USA
Hoosier Ride
Barons Bus
The following major airports near Chicago offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United States of America and internationally.