Chicago to Yellowstone: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1166.6 miles 1877.5 km · straight line
1397.6 miles actual route 2249.2 km · driving distance
25h 26min estimated drive time
$135 - $166 estimated fuel cost
~2h 51min flight time
286° WNW bearing direction

How far is Chicago from Yellowstone?

The distance from Chicago to Yellowstone is 1166.6 miles (1877.5 km) as the crow flies. Yellowstone is located WNW of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1397.6 miles, taking about 25h 26min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 51min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois and Yellowstone in Wyoming.

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 Yellowstone. 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 Yellowstone

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 25h 26min $135 - $166 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 51min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~30h 31min $112–$210* Budget
Train ~33h 4min $168–$489* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chicago & Yellowstone

Quick Facts

Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m elevation
Yellowstone
44.43°N, 110.59°W
America/Denver
2357m elevation
Explore more routes from Yellowstone

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 389 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 97 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 21.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM