There are 7 ways to get from Washington to Chicago by train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, train, plane, or shuttle
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Washington Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
6h 57m$100–220Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Washington to St Louis Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0175s
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus FlixBus 2510 / ...
8h 15m$58–105Drive 343 mi
- Drive from Washington to Chicagocar 343 mi
6h 1m$63–91Train to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Take the train from Washington Station to St. Louistrain
- Fly from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane STL - MDW
4h 50m$77–412Train to Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take the train from Washington Station to St. Louistrain
- Fly from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport (STL) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane STL - ORD
5h 13m$292–742Shuttle to Columbia Regional Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take a shuttle bus from Warrenton, MO to Columbia
- Fly from Columbia Regional Airport (COU) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane COU - ORD
6h 2m$156–397Train to Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Take the train from Washington Station to Springfieldtrain
- Fly from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane SPI - ORD
6h 52m$93–348
Washington to Chicago by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Washington to Chicago is to bus which costs $55 - $110 and takes 8h 15m.
The fastest way to get from Washington to Chicago is to train and fly which takes 4h 50m and costs $75 - $420.
No, there is no direct bus from Washington to Chicago station. However, there are services departing from Washington and arriving at Chicago Bus Station via St Louis Bus Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 15m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Washington Station station and arriving at Chicago Union Station station. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 57m.
The distance between Washington and Chicago is 334 miles. The road distance is 345 miles.
The best way to get from Washington to Chicago without a car is to train which takes 6h 57m and costs $100 - $220.
The train from Washington Station to Chicago Union Station takes 6h 57m including transfers and departs once daily.
Washington to Chicago bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Washington station.
Washington to Chicago train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Washington Station.
The best way to get from Washington to Chicago is to train which takes 6h 57m and costs $100 - $220. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $55 - $110 and takes 8h 15m.
What companies run services between Washington, MO, USA and Chicago, IL, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Washington Station to Chicago Union Station once daily. Tickets cost $100–220 and the journey takes 6h 57m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Washington to Chicago Bus Station via St Louis Bus Station in around 8h 15m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–370
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–310
Flights from Columbia Regional Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 43m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–250
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Lambert–St. Louis International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–310
Flights from Columbia Regional Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 42m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–250
Flights from Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Washington Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 57m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100–220
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Washington Station to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $16–35
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Washington Station to St. Louis
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 21m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $16–35
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Washington Station to Springfield
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45–100
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Washington to St Louis Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $7–15
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com
Bus from St Louis Bus Station to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $50–90
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Phone
- +1-888-875-6287
- Website
- oatstransit.org
Shuttle from Warrenton, MO to Columbia
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $3–5
- Website
- https://www.oatstransit.org
- Schedules at
- https://www.oatstransit.org/schedules
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
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Washington to Chicago bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at St Louis Bus Station.
Washington to Chicago train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Washington to Chicago is 345 miles. It takes approximately 6h 1m to drive from Washington to Chicago.
Book your Washington to Chicago train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Washington to Chicago bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 1328+ hotels available in Chicago.