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SAN to ORD: distance & flight time
San Diego (San Diego International Airport) → Chicago (Chicago O'Hare International Airport)
1,720 mi
2,768 km · 1,495 nm
3h 50m
estimated nonstop flight time
+2h
time difference · heading northeast
See live SAN→ORD fares Phone-only fares on this route — call free
Flight time details
1,720 miles nonstop takes roughly 3h 50m gate to gate, flying northeast. Add 45–90 minutes per connection if there's no nonstop service. Remember to factor the 2-hour time gain when reading arrival times on your ticket.
The two airports
- SAN — San Diego International Airport · San Diego, United States
- ORD — Chicago O'Hare International Airport · Chicago, 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 SAN
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
Frequently asked questions
How far is SAN from ORD?
The flight distance from San Diego (SAN) to Chicago (ORD) 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 SAN to ORD?
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 San Diego and Chicago?
Chicago is 2 hours ahead of San Diego.
What is the cheapest way to fly from SAN to ORD?
Compare live fares online, then call CheapoTrav — our agents have unpublished consolidator fares on SAN–ORD that never appear on search engines, with no booking fees.