Rome2Rio

How to get fromDes Plaines to Mammoth Cave National Parkby plane, car, bus, taxi, train, car ferry, or subway

Find Transport to Mammoth Cave National Park

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Des Plaines to Mammoth Cave National Park by plane, car, bus, taxi, train, car ferry, or subway

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 O'Hare International Airport to Blue Grass Airport, drive

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Blue Grass Airport (LEX)plane plane ORD - LEX
    2. Drive from Lexington-Airport-LEX to Mammoth Cave National Parkcar car
    5h 4m
    $122–685

  2. Drive 401.1 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Des Plaines to Mammoth Cave National Parkcar car 401.1 mi
    7h 16m
    $74–106

  3. Bus, taxi (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Train Station to Uptonbus bus Greyhound US0100
    2. Take the taxi from Upton to Mammoth Cave National Parktaxi taxi
    10h 49m
    $137–213

  4. Train, bus, taxi

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolistrain train
    2. Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Uptonbus bus
    3. Take the taxi from Upton to Mammoth Cave National Parktaxi taxi
    12h 13m
    $173–283

  5. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Owensboro–Daviess County Regional Airport, drive

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Owensboro–Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB)plane plane ORD - OWB
    2. Drive from Owensboro–Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB) to Mammoth Cave National Parkcar car
    4h 30m
    $96–234

  6. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Nashville, bus, car ferry

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Nashville (BNA)plane plane ORD - BNA
    2. Take the bus from Tornado Bus Co - Nashville to Shell Gas Station - Smiths Grovebus bus
    3. Take the carferry from Mammoth Cave to Mammoth Cavecarferry car ferry
    7h
    $148–440

  7. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Louisville International Airport, bus, car ferry

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Louisville International Airport (SDF)plane plane ORD - SDF
    2. Take the bus from La Tropicana - Louisville, KY to Shell gas station - Cave Citybus bus
    3. Take the carferry from Mammoth Cave to Mammoth Cavecarferry car ferry
    7h 50m
    $109–570

  8. Train, subway to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Nashville, line 52 bus, bus, drive, car ferry

    1. Take the train from Des Plaines to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Take the subway from Clark/Lake to Midwaysubway subway
    3. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Nashville (BNA)plane plane MDW - BNA
    4. Take the bus from Fulton Station Outbound to Walmart Station Outboundbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Tornado Bus Co - Nashville to Shell Gas Station - Smiths Grovebus bus
    6. Drive from Shell Gas Station - Smiths Grove to Mammoth Cavecar car
    7. Take the carferry from Mammoth Cave to Mammoth Cavecarferry car ferry
    8h 16m
    $119–580

  9. Train, bus, car ferry

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Indianapolistrain train
    2. Take the bus from Indianapolis to Shell gas station - Cave Citybus bus
    3. Take the carferry from Mammoth Cave to Mammoth Cavecarferry car ferry
    13h 22m
    $126–304

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Blue Grass Airport (LEX) flights

Calendar49Weekly Planes
Duration1h 34mAverage Duration
Ticket$99Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Plaines to Mammoth Cave National Park.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 450.4 mi
  • Duration: 5h 4m

What companies run services between Des Plaines, IL, USA and Mammoth Cave National Park, KY, USA?

There is no direct connection from Des Plaines to Mammoth Cave National Park. However, you can take the train to Terminal 2, walk to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) airport, fly to Blue Grass Airport (LEX), then drive to Mammoth Cave National Park. Alternatively, you can take the train to Chicago OTC, walk to Madison & Canal, take the line 60 bus to Clinton & Jackson, walk to Chicago Train Station, take the bus to Upton, then take the taxi to Mammoth Cave National Park.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators
Other operators

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

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound