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How to get fromChicago to Palo Altoby plane, bus (Greyhound), train, subway, or car

Find Transport to Palo Alto

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There are 8 ways to get from Chicago to Palo Alto by plane, bus (Greyhound), train, subway, 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.

  1. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane MDW - SJC
    7h
    $210–864

  2. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Francisco International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane ORD - SFO
    7h 21m
    $136–303

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to San Francisco Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Salesforce Transit Center- Bay 37 to Clarke Ave & O'Connor St-Ravenswood Shopping Ctrbus bus Epx
    2d 5h
    $372–700

  4. Train, BART

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Richmondtrain train California Zephyr
    2. Take the subway from Richmond to Millbraesubway subway Red-S
    2d 7h
    $800–1,594

  5. Drive 2,150.4 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Palo Altocar car 2,150.4 mi
    33h 29m
    $393–567

  6. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to San Francisco International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane MDW - SFO
    7h 3m
    $216–463

  7. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane ORD - SJC
    7h 33m
    $170–564

  8. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Oakland International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane MDW - OAK
    2. Take the train from Oakland Coliseum/Airport Amtrak to Santa Clara Amtraktrain train
    8h 38m
    $240–939

Chicago to Palo Alto by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration2d 5hAverage Duration
Ticket$372Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Chicago to Palo Alto.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,861.9 mi
  • Duration: 7h

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Palo Alto, CA, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Clarke Ave & O'Connor St-Ravenswood Shopping Ctr via Denver Union Station, Sparks Transit Center, San Francisco Bus Station, and Salesforce Transit Center- Bay 37 in around 2d 5h.

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