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How to get fromChicago to Santa Monicaby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, train, or bus

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There are 9 ways to get from Chicago to Santa Monica by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, train, or bus

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 Los Angeles International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane MDW - LAX
    7h 8m
    $136–611

  2. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    45h 38m
    $738–1,453

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus FlixBus 2510 / ...
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus Greyhound US1210
    2d 1h
    $340–632

  4. Drive 2,028.4 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Santa Monicacar car 2,028.4 mi
    31h 50m
    $371–535

  5. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane ORD - LAX
    7h 23m
    $216–391

  6. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Burbank Bob Hope Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane MDW - BUR
    7h 51m
    $236–1,009

  7. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Long Beach Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Long Beach Airport (LGB)plane plane MDW - LGB
    8h 59m
    $188–811

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

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Ontario International Airport (ONT)plane plane MDW - ONT
    2. Take the train from Rancho Cucamonga to L.A. Union Stationtrain train
    9h 38m
    $216–873

  9. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to John Wayne Airport Orange County, bus

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)plane plane ORD - SNA
    2. Take the bus from Disneyland Employee's Entrance to Figueroa / Picobus bus
    11h 22m
    $200–433

Chicago to Santa Monica by train, foot, and bus (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration45h 38mAverage Duration
Ticket$738Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Chicago to Santa Monica.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,777.5 mi
  • Duration: 7h 8m

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Santa Monica, CA, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) every 4 hours. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angeles once daily. Tickets cost $700–1,500 and the journey takes 43h 32m.

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Bus operators

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