Chicago to Death Valley: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1603.3 miles 2580.3 km · straight line
1879.3 miles actual route 3024.4 km · driving distance
33h 10min estimated drive time
$181 - $223 estimated fuel cost
~3h 44min flight time
266° W bearing direction

How far is Chicago from Death Valley?

The distance from Chicago to Death Valley is 1603.3 miles (2580.3 km) as the crow flies. Death Valley is located W of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1879.3 miles, taking about 33h 10min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 44min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Death Valley in California.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Chicago and Death Valley. 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 Chicago to Death Valley

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 33h 10min $181 - $223 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 44min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~39h 48min $150–$282* Budget
Train ~43h 7min $226–$658* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chicago & Death Valley

Quick Facts

Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m elevation
Death Valley
36.53°N, 116.93°W
America/Los_Angeles
-86m elevation
Explore more routes from Death Valley

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 534 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 134 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 15.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM