Distance from Chicago to New Orleans: Road vs. Straight Line

Road distance: ~925 miles (1,489 km) via I-57 S and I-55 S (most direct interstate route).

Straight-line (great circle) distance: ~805 miles (1,296 km).

Driving Details

• Time: 13.5-14.5 hours non-stop (realistically 2 days with rest)
• Route: Chicago → I-57 S (Champaign, Effingham, Mt. Vernon) → I-55 S (St. Louis bypass via I-255/I-270) → Memphis → Jackson, MS → Baton Rouge → New Orleans
• Alternate: I-55 all the way (through St. Louis) adds ~30 miles but avoids bypass complexity.

Flight Comparison

• Flight time: ~1 hr 50 min (ORD/MDW to MSY)
• Airports: Chicago O'Hare (ORD) / Midway (MDW) → New Orleans Louis Armstrong (MSY)
• Frequency: 15+ daily nonstops on multiple carriers

Train Option

Amtrak City of New Orleans: 19-20 hours overnight (Chicago Union Station → NOLA Union Passenger Terminal). Iconic route, scenic Mississippi Delta, but often delayed.