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ORD to SAN: distance & flight time
Chicago (Chicago O'Hare International Airport) → San Diego (San Diego International Airport)
1,720 mi
2,768 km · 1,495 nm
3h 50m
estimated nonstop flight time
-2h
time difference · heading west
See live ORD→SAN fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
1,720 miles nonstop takes roughly 3h 50m gate to gate, flying west. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 2-hour time set-back when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- ORD — Chicago O'Hare International Airport · Chicago, United States
- SAN — San Diego International Airport · San Diego, United States
Distances are great-circle ("as the crow flies") — the same basis airlines use for frequent-flyer miles.
Alternate airports can cut this fare
Flying from or into a nearby airport is the #1 trick our agents use to beat online prices. Call and we'll compare every combination on one call.
Near ORD
- PWK · Chicago Executive Airport9 mi away
- MDW · Chicago Midway International Airport15 mi away
- CGX · Chicago Meigs Airport17 mi away
- DPA · Dupage Airport18 mi away
Near SAN
Frequently asked questions
How far is ORD from SAN?
The flight distance from Chicago (ORD) to San Diego (SAN) is 1,720 miles (2,768 km, 1,495 nautical miles), measured along the great-circle route airlines actually fly.
How long is the flight from ORD to SAN?
A nonstop flight takes about 3h 50m gate to gate. Actual time varies with winds, routing and season — eastbound transatlantic flights, for example, are usually faster than the return.
What is the time difference between Chicago and San Diego?
San Diego is 2 hours behind Chicago.
What is the cheapest way to fly from ORD to SAN?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on ORD–SAN that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.