There are 5 ways to get from Chicago to San Diego by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), 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 O'Hare International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane ORD - SAN
4h 15m$112–495Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain Southwest Chief
- Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
46h 5m$561–1,330Bus
- 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 to San Diegobus
2d 3h$367–586Drive 2,075.2 mi
- Drive from Chicago to San Diegocar 2,075.2 mi
32h 36m$379–547Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane MDW - SAN
5h 44m$152–705
Chicago to San Diego by train (Amtrak)
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to San Diego is to fly which costs $110 - $500 and takes 4h 15m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to San Diego is to fly which takes 4h 15m and costs $110 - $500.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at San Diego via St Louis Bus Station and Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 3h.
No, there is no direct train from Chicago station to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at San Diego via Fullerton Amtrak Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 46h 5m.
The distance between Chicago and San Diego is 1748 miles. The road distance is 2087.3 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to San Diego without a car is to train which takes 46h 5m and costs $550 - $1,400.
It takes approximately 4h 15m to get from Chicago to San Diego, including transfers.
Chicago to San Diego bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago to San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to San Diego is to fly which takes 4h 15m and costs $110 - $500. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $550 - $1,400 and takes 46h 5m, you could also bus, which costs $360 - $600 and takes 2 days 3h.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and San Diego, CA, USA?
American Airlines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, Inc. fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a train from Chicago Union Station to San Diego via Fullerton Amtrak Station in around 46h 5m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–700
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150–700
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via El Paso
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to San Diego International Airport via Omaha
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 22m
- When
- Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $150–700
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact 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
- $500–1,300
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 26m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $24–60
- 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
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–75
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
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 San Diego bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
San Diego is 2h behind Chicago. It is currently 2:19 AM in Chicago and 12:19 AM in San Diego.
Chicago to San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Fullerton Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to San Diego is 2087 miles. It takes approximately 32h 36m to drive from Chicago to San Diego.
Book your Chicago to San Diego train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Chicago to San Diego bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 2371+ hotels available in San Diego.