Chicago to Denver: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Chicago from Denver?

The distance from Chicago to Denver is 918.2 miles (1477.7 km) as the crow flies. Denver is located W of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1005.1 miles, taking about 17h 48min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 21min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Denver in Colorado.

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 Denver. 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.