Appleton to Chicago: Road Trip Guide & Distance

169.4 miles 272.6 km · straight line
191.4 miles actual route 308 km · driving distance
3h 44min estimated drive time
$18 - $23 estimated fuel cost
~50min flight time
166° SSE bearing direction

How far is Appleton from Chicago?

The distance from Appleton to Chicago is 169.4 miles (272.6 km) as the crow flies. Chicago is located SSE of Appleton. By car, the driving distance is approximately 191.4 miles, taking about 3h 44min. A direct flight would take roughly 50min. Both are located in United States — Appleton in Wisconsin and Chicago in Illinois.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Appleton and Chicago. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Appleton to Chicago

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 3h 44min $18 - $23 Flexible stops
Fly ~50min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~4h 29min $15–$29* Budget
Train ~3h 33min $23–$67* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Appleton & Chicago

Quick Facts

Appleton
44.26°N, 88.42°W
America/Chicago
242m elevation
Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m elevation
Explore more routes from Chicago

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 56 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 14 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 147 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM