Rome2Rio

How to get fromLouisville to Illinoisby plane, bus (Amtrak), bus, train, car, or bus (Amtrak, Greyhound)

Find Transport to Illinois

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Louisville to Illinois by plane, bus (Amtrak), bus, train, car, or bus (Amtrak, Greyhound)

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 Louisville International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Louisville International Airport (SDF) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane plane SDF - MDW
    3h 24m
    $64–408

  2. Fly Louisville International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Louisville International Airport (SDF) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane SDF - ORD
    3h 48m
    $49–338

  3. Bus (Amtrak)

    1. Take the bus from Louisville, KY to Chicago Union Stationbus bus Nashville
    6h
    $50–60

  4. Bus, train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the bus from Louisville, KY to Indianapolis Union Stationbus bus Nashville
    2. Take the train from Indianapolis to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Cardinal
    8h 20m
    $73–184

  5. Drive  294.4 mi

    1. Drive from Louisville to Chicagocar car 294.4 mi
    5h 3m
    $54–78

  6. Drive to Blue Grass Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Drive from Louisville to Lexington-Airport-LEXcar car
    2. Fly from Blue Grass Airport (LEX) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane LEX - ORD
    3h 46m
    $50–274

  7. Drive to Covington, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport

    1. Drive from Louisville to Covington (CVG)car car
    2. Fly from Covington (CVG) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane CVG - ORD
    3h 54m
    $169–830

  8. Drive to Covington, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport

    1. Drive from Louisville to Covington (CVG)car car
    2. Fly from Covington (CVG) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane plane CVG - MDW
    3h 30m
    $169–390

  9. Bus via Indianapolis

    1. Take the bus from Louisville, KY to Indianapolis Union Stationbus bus Nashville
    2. Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0100 / ...
    6h 55m
    $52–94

Louisville to Illinois by bus (Amtrak)

Calendar14Weekly Buses
Duration6hAverage Duration
Ticket$50Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Louisville to Illinois.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 287.9 mi
  • Duration: 3h 24m

What companies run services between Louisville, KY, USA and Illinois, USA?

Southwest Airlines flies from Louisville International Airport (SDF) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) 3 times a day. Alternatively, Amtrak Thruway operates a bus from Louisville, KY to Chicago Union Station twice daily. Tickets cost $50–60 and the journey takes 6h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus 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

Booking & Getting There