How to travel from Philadelphia to Chicago, United States of America

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.

4 routes found

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 ChicagoPhiladelphia if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
1
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Indianapolis and then to Chicago IL.

  • Duration18h 30m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    $130
Operated by

Greyhound USA

2
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Washington Union Station and then to Chicago Union Station.

  • Duration19h 45m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    $185

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Chicago.

  • Duration12h 30m
  • Distance758 miles (1,220km)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Philadelphia and Chicago

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.

Train travel

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.

Bus travel

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.

Flights and Airlines

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.

Drive yourself

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.

How do I get from Philadelphia to Chicago

Compare travel optionsbetween Philadelphia and Chicago

Transport options from Philadelphia to Chicago
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
18h 30m
$130
twice daily1,382km (859 miles)
Train + 1 similar
19h 45m
$185
once daily1,452km (902 miles)
Train to Chicago Union Station1 day 2h
$130
3 times a week1,684km (1,046 miles)
Drive
12h 30m
$75
on demand1,220km (758 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Philadelphia and Chicago

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Chicago

The following major airports near Chicago offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United States of America and internationally.

MDW
Midway International Airport (MDW)
International Airport
Distance
9 miles (14km) from Chicago
ORD
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
International Airport
Distance
16 miles (26km) from Chicago
SBN
South Bend Regional (SBN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
69 miles (110km) from Chicago