There are 5 ways to get from Chicago to La Jolla by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MDW - SAN
7h 23m$164–760Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport
cheapest- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane ORD - SAN
7h 35m$104–450Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain Southwest Chief
- Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego Old Town Transportation Centertrain Pacific Surfliner
46h 39m$1,263–1,947Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Diego Greyhound Bus Stopbus
2d 3h$420–664Drive 2,072.2 mi
- Drive from Chicago to La Jollacar 2,072.2 mi
32h 38m$355–512
Chicago to La Jolla by train and bus (Amtrak)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to La Jolla is to fly which costs $100 - $450 and takes 7h 35m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to La Jolla is to fly which takes 7h 23m and costs $160 - $800.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to La Jolla. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at Silverado St & Herschel Av via St Louis Bus Station, Los Angeles Union Station and Old Town Transit Center. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 3h.
No, there is no direct train from Chicago station to La Jolla. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at San Diego Old Town Transportation Center via Fullerton Amtrak Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 46h 39m.
The distance between Chicago and La Jolla is 1764 miles. The road distance is 2084.3 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to La Jolla without a car is to train which takes 46h 39m and costs $1,200 - $2,000.
It takes approximately 7h 23m to get from Chicago to La Jolla, including transfers.
Chicago to La Jolla bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago to La Jolla train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to La Jolla is to fly which takes 7h 23m and costs $160 - $800. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $1,200 - $2,000 and takes 46h 39m, you could also bus, which costs $420 - $700 and takes 2 days 3h.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and La Jolla, San Diego County, CA, USA?
Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Chicago Union Station to Silverado St & Herschel Av via Fullerton Amtrak Station, San Diego Old Town Transportation Center, and Old Town Transit Center in around 46h 39m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 28m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–440
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–440
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–440
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 43m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–700
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 42h 44m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $1,200–1,900
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego Old Town Transportation Center
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 11m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $50–85
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $18–28
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 40h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $350–550
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Los Angeles Union Station to San Diego Greyhound Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $21–35
- Website
- Greyhound
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Booking & Getting There
Chicago to La Jolla bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
La Jolla is 2h behind Chicago. It is currently 7:27 PM in Chicago and 5:27 PM in La Jolla.
Chicago to La Jolla train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Fullerton Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to La Jolla is 2084 miles. It takes approximately 32h 38m to drive from Chicago to La Jolla.
Book your Chicago to La Jolla bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 2259+ hotels available in La Jolla.









