Chicago to Vail: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Chicago from Vail?

The distance from Chicago to Vail is 991 miles (1594.9 km) as the crow flies. Vail is located W of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1098.5 miles, taking about 19h 36min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 30min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Vail 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 Vail. 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.