There are 5 ways to get from Chicago to Santee by plane, tram, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), train (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, tram
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane ORD - SAN
- Take the tram from Santa Fe Depot to El Cajon Stationtram
6h 8m$118–530Bus
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Phoenix Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Phoenix Bus Station to El Cajon Transit Centerbus
45h 25m$343–541Train (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 59m$565–1,360Drive 2,074.7 mi
- Drive from Chicago to Santeecar 2,074.7 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
7h 37m$158–740
Chicago to Santee by bus and tram
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Santee is to fly and tram which costs $110 - $550 and takes 6h 8m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Santee is to fly and tram which takes 6h 8m and costs $110 - $550.
No, there is no direct bus from Chicago station to Santee. However, there are services departing from Chicago Bus Station and arriving at El Cajon Transit Center via St Louis Bus Station and Phoenix Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 45h 25m.
No, there is no direct train from Chicago station to Santee station. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at Santee Town Center Station via Fullerton Amtrak Station, Old Town Station and El Cajon Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 46h 59m.
The distance between Chicago and Santee is 1776 miles. The road distance is 2086.9 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Santee without a car is to bus which takes 45h 25m and costs $340 - $550.
It takes approximately 6h 8m to get from Chicago to Santee, including transfers.
Chicago to Santee bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
Chicago to Santee train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Santee is to bus which takes 45h 25m and costs $340 - $550. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $550 - $1,400 and takes 46h 59m, you could also fly, which costs $150 - $750 and takes 7h 37m.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Santee, CA, USA?
You can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Gillespie Field Station via St Louis Bus Station, Phoenix Bus Station, El Cajon Transit Center, and El Cajon Station in around 45h 25m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Chicago Union Station to Santee Town Center Station via Fullerton Amtrak Station, San Diego Old Town Transportation Center, Old Town Station, and El Cajon Station in around 46h 59m.
- 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
- Phone
- +1 619-557-4555
- Website
- MTS
Tram from Santa Fe Depot to El Cajon Station
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–15
- Website
- MTS
- Schedules at
- MTS Schedules
- 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.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Booking & Getting There
Chicago to Santee bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
Santee is 2h behind Chicago. It is currently 2:55 AM in Chicago and 12:55 AM in Santee.
Chicago to Santee train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Fullerton Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Santee is 2087 miles. It takes approximately 32h 36m to drive from Chicago to Santee.
There are 1311+ hotels available in Santee.