There are 7 ways to get from Des Plaines to Louisville by plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), train, bus, car, or bus (Amtrak)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Louisville International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Louisville International Airport (SDF)plane ORD - SDF
3h 51m$76–493Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Blue Grass Airport, drive
cheapest- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Blue Grass Airport (LEX)plane ORD - LEX
- Drive from Lexington-Airport-LEX to Louisvillecar
3h 53m$52–288Bus via Indianapolis
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Indianapolis Union Stationbus Greyhound US0100 / ...
- Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville, KYbus Chicago
7h 50m$59–103Train, bus (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolistrain Cardinal
- Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville, KYbus Chicago
9h 33m$129–223Drive 311.3 mi
- Drive from Des Plaines to Louisvillecar 311.3 mi
5h 28m$54–77Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Louisville International Airport
- Take the train from Des Plaines to Chicago OTCtrain
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Louisville International Airport (SDF)plane MDW - SDF
5h 4m$127–813Bus (Amtrak)
- Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Louisville, KYbus Chicago
9h 44m$55–66
Des Plaines to Louisville by train and bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Des Plaines to Louisville is to bus which costs $55 - $70 and takes 9h 44m.
The fastest way to get from Des Plaines to Louisville is to fly which takes 3h 51m and costs $75 - $500.
No, there is no direct bus from Des Plaines to Louisville. However, there are services departing from Madison & Canal and arriving at Louisville, KY via Chicago Bus Station and Indianapolis Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 50m.
The distance between Des Plaines and Louisville is 296 miles. The road distance is 313.1 miles.
The best way to get from Des Plaines to Louisville without a car is to bus via Indianapolis which takes 7h 50m and costs $55 - $110.
It takes approximately 3h 51m to get from Des Plaines to Louisville, including transfers.
Des Plaines to Louisville bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Chicago Bus Station.
The best way to get from Des Plaines to Louisville is to fly which takes 3h 51m and costs $75 - $500. Alternatively, you can bus via Indianapolis, which costs $55 - $110 and takes 7h 50m.
Des Plaines to Louisville bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Indianapolis Union Station.
Louisville is 1h ahead of Des Plaines. It is currently 3:10 AM in Des Plaines and 4:10 AM in Louisville.
What companies run services between Des Plaines, IL, USA and Louisville, KY, USA?
American Airlines and United Airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Louisville International Airport (SDF) every 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Des Plaines to Louisville, KY via Chicago OTC, Madison & Canal, Harrison & Jefferson, Chicago Bus Station, and Indianapolis Union Station in around 7h 50m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Louisville International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–490
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Blue Grass Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–270
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Louisville International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–490
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Blue Grass Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–270
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Louisville International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–800
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolis
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 54m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $100–170
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 312-696-3872
- Website
- Metra
Train from Des Plaines to Chicago OTC
- Ave. Duration
- 39 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $4–5
- Website
- Metra
- Adult
- $4–5
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Indianapolis Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Website
- Greyhound
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak Thruway
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville, KY
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $22–45
- Website
- Amtrak
- Adult
- $22–45
Bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Louisville, KY
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $22–45
- Website
- Amtrak
- Adult
- $22–45
Bus from Chicago Union Station to Louisville, KY
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $50–60
- Website
- Amtrak
- Adult
- $50–60
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Des Plaines to Louisville is 313 miles. It takes approximately 5h 28m to drive from Des Plaines to Louisville.
There are 612+ hotels available in Louisville.








