Chicago to New Orleans: Road Trip Guide & Distance

835.2 miles 1344.2 km · straight line
923.9 miles actual route 1486.8 km · driving distance
16h 50min estimated drive time
$89 - $109 estimated fuel cost
~2h 11min flight time
190° S bearing direction

How far is Chicago from New Orleans?

The distance from Chicago to New Orleans is 835.2 miles (1344.2 km) as the crow flies. New Orleans is located S of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 923.9 miles, taking about 16h 50min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 11min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and New Orleans in Louisiana.

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. As you head South, expect warmer temperatures. Make sure your car's AC is working well before embarking on this journey. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 16h 50min $89 - $109 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 11min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~20h 12min $74–$139* Budget
Train ~21h 53min $111–$323* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chicago & New Orleans

Quick Facts

Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m elevation
New Orleans
29.95°N, 90.07°W
America/Chicago
1m elevation
Explore more routes from New Orleans

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 278 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 70 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 29.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM