Rome2Rio

How to get fromWashington to Great Lakesby plane, train, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound), car, bus, or subway

Find Transport to Great Lakes

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from Washington to Great Lakes by plane, train, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound), car, bus, 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 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago Midway International Airport, train

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane plane DCA - MDW
    2. Take the train from Chicago OTC to Great Lakestrain train
    4h 35m
    $119–603

  2. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane BWI - ORD
    3. Take the train from Clybourn to Great Lakestrain train
    6h 41m
    $74–917

  3. Train

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train Floridian / ...
    2. Take the train from Chicago OTC to Great Lakestrain train Up-N
    19h 48m
    $254–514

  4. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US0164
    20h 46m
    $115–214

  5. Drive 722.3 mi

    1. Drive from Washington to Great Lakescar car 722.3 mi
    12h 40m
    $132–191

  6. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane DCA - ORD
    2. Take the train from Clybourn to Great Lakestrain train
    4h 52m
    $133–852

  7. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to General Mitchell International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)plane plane DCA - MKE
    2. Take the bus from Mitchell Airport to Metro Train Station - 13th Avenue and 54th Streetbus bus
    5h 36m
    $444–1,093

  8. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Chicago Midway International Airport, train

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)plane plane BWI - MDW
    3. Take the train from Chicago OTC to Great Lakestrain train
    6h 19m
    $129–857

  9. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, train

    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane IAD - ORD
    3. Take the train from Clybourn to Great Lakestrain train
    6h 38m
    $189–915

Washington to Great Lakes by train and bus

Calendar10Weekly Services
Duration19h 48mAverage Duration
Ticket$254Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Washington to Great Lakes.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 642.6 mi
  • Duration: 4h 35m

What companies run services between Washington, DC, USA and Great Lakes, IL, USA?

You can take a train from Washington Union Station to Great Lakes via Chicago Union Station, Clinton & Quincy, Washington & Canal, and Chicago OTC in around 19h 48m. Alternatively, Greyhound USA operates a bus from Washington Union Station to Chicago Bus Station twice daily. Tickets cost $100–210 and the journey takes 17h 10m.

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

More Questions & Answers