Chicago to Petrified Forest: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1288.2 miles 2073.1 km · straight line
1559.8 miles actual route 2510.3 km · driving distance
27h 44min estimated drive time
$150 - $185 estimated fuel cost
~3h 5min flight time
255° WSW bearing direction

How far is Chicago from Petrified Forest?

The distance from Chicago to Petrified Forest is 1288.2 miles (2073.1 km) as the crow flies. Petrified Forest is located WSW of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1559.8 miles, taking about 27h 44min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 5min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Petrified Forest in Arizona.

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 Petrified Forest. 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 Petrified Forest

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 27h 44min $150 - $185 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 5min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~33h 17min $125–$234* Budget
Train ~36h 3min $187–$546* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chicago & Petrified Forest

Quick Facts

Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m elevation
Petrified Forest
34.91°N, 109.79°W
America/Phoenix
1676m elevation
Explore more routes from Petrified Forest

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 429 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 107 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 19.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM