There are 8 ways to get from Chicago to Elk Rapids by plane, train, bus, car, bus (Amtrak), taxi, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Traverse City
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Traverse City (TVC)plane ORD - TVC
3h 22m$92–345Drive 319.7 mi
cheapest- Drive from Chicago to Elk Rapidscar 319.7 mi
5h 27m$59–85Train, bus
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Kalamazootrain Wolverine / ...
- Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Traverse City, MIbus 1484
9h 1m$135–224Fly to Pellston, drive
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Pellston (PLN)plane ORD - PLN
- Drive from Pellston (PLN) to Elk Rapidscar
4h 42m$60–314Fly to Manistee County-Blacker Airport, drive
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Manistee County-Blacker Airport (MBL)plane ORD - MBL
- Drive from Manistee County-Blacker Airport (MBL) to Elk Rapidscar
4h 49m$106–165Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Kalamazoobus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
- Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Traverse City, MIbus 1484
9h 1m$142–208Train, bus, taxi
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Grand Rapids to Kingsleybus
- Take the taxi from Kingsley to Elk Rapidstaxi
9h 10m$166–270Bus via Chicago Bus Station
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stopbus Greyhound US0160
- Take the bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Traverse City, MIbus 1484
9h 50m$113–177
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Traverse City (TVC) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Elk Rapids is to drive which costs $55 - $85 and takes 5h 27m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Elk Rapids is to fly which takes 3h 22m and costs $90 - $350.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to Elk Rapids. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at Traverse City, MI via Kalamazoo Metro Transit. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 1m.
The distance between Chicago and Elk Rapids is 258 miles. The road distance is 321.6 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Elk Rapids without a car is to train and bus which takes 9h 1m and costs $130 - $230.
It takes approximately 3h 22m to get from Chicago to Elk Rapids, including transfers.
Chicago to Elk Rapids bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Elk Rapids is to fly which takes 3h 22m and costs $90 - $350. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $140 - $210 and takes 9h 1m.
Chicago to Elk Rapids bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Kalamazoo station.
Elk Rapids is 1h ahead of Chicago. It is currently 4:06 PM in Chicago and 5:06 PM in Elk Rapids.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Elk Rapids, MI, USA?
American Airlines and United Airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Traverse City (TVC) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Union Station to Elk Rapids via Kalamazoo Metro Transit and Traverse City, MI in around 9h 1m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Traverse City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 26m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–280
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Pellston
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–290
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Traverse City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–280
- Website
- contouraviation.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Manistee County-Blacker Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $90–140
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Kalamazoo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 6m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $45–90
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Chicago Union Station to Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 4m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $55–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 989-725-5105
- Website
- indiantrails.com
Bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Traverse City, MI
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–60
- Website
- https://indiantrails.com
Bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Traverse City, MI
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–60
- Website
- https://indiantrails.com
Bus from Grand Rapids to Kingsley
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–45
- Website
- https://indiantrails.com
Bus from Kalamazoo Metro Transit to Traverse City, MI
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–60
- Website
- https://indiantrails.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Chicago Union Station to Kalamazoo
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 6m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Kalamazoo Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $23–45
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Ave. Duration
- 36 min
- Estimated price
- $85–110
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Elk Rapids is 322 miles. It takes approximately 5h 27m to drive from Chicago to Elk Rapids.
There are 575+ hotels available in Elk Rapids.






