Chicago to Washington DC: Road Trip Guide & Distance
How far is Chicago from Washington DC?
The distance from Chicago to Washington DC is 593.5 miles (955.2 km) as the crow flies. Washington DC is located ESE of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 696.7 miles, taking about 13h 9min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 42min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Washington DC in District of Columbia.
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. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.
Coordinates come from public place data for Chicago and Washington DC. 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 Washington DC
Suggested Stops Between Chicago & Washington DC
- 1139 mi
- 272 mi
- 386 mi
- 477 mi
- 5277 mi
Quick Facts
Did You Know?
- At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 198 hours of non-stop walking
- By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 49 hours
- You could travel this distance about 42 times to circle the Earth's equator