Chicago to Salt Lake City: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1257.1 miles 2023.1 km · straight line
1401.9 miles actual route 2256.1 km · driving distance
24h 17min estimated drive time
$135 - $166 estimated fuel cost
~3h 2min flight time
275° W bearing direction

How far is Chicago from Salt Lake City?

The distance from Chicago to Salt Lake City is 1257.1 miles (2023.1 km) as the crow flies. Salt Lake City is located W of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1401.9 miles, taking about 24h 17min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 2min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Salt Lake City in Utah.

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 Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 24h 17min $135 - $166 Flexible stops
Fly ~3h 2min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~29h 8min $112–$210* Budget
Train ~31h 34min $168–$491* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chicago & Salt Lake City

Quick Facts

Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m elevation
Salt Lake City
40.76°N, 111.89°W
America/Denver
1288m elevation
Explore more routes from Salt Lake City

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 419 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 105 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 19.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM