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How to get fromIllinois to San Diegoby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), car, or train

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There are 7 ways to get from Illinois to San Diego by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound, Amtrak), car, or train

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 from Chicago Midway International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane MDW - SAN
    5h 39m
    $192–805

  2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane ORD - SAN
    5h 59m
    $152–655

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain train Southwest Chief
    2. Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diegotrain train Pacific Surfliner
    46h 5m
    $746–1,524

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Diegobus bus
    2d 3h
    $382–701

  5. Drive 2,075.2 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to San Diegocar car 2,075.2 mi
    32h 35m
    $379–547

  6. Train to General Mitchell International Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukeetrain train
    2. Fly from General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane MKE - SAN
    7h 3m
    $250–970

  7. Train to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Springfield to St. Louistrain train
    2. Fly from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane plane STL - SAN
    7h 11m
    $164–296

Illinois to San Diego by train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Trains
Duration46h 5mAverage Duration
Ticket$746Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Illinois to San Diego.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,737 mi
  • Duration: 5h 39m

What companies run services between Illinois, USA and San Diego, CA, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Chicago Union Station to San Diego via Fullerton Amtrak Station in around 46h 5m.

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