Getting to Detroit from Chicago

Detroit and Chicago are two of the largest centers of commerce in the midwest, and are well-connected by bus, train, plane, and highway.

Detroit to Chicago

• Driving distance – 281 miles/452 kilometers

Flights
Delta, United, Southwest, American, Continental, and several other airlines offer multiple flights per day from Detroit to Chicago. Booking farther in advance or scoping out sales can help you find cheaper tickets. Flights will be most expensive around the holidays.

Journey time: Around 45 minutes
Typical price: $80 to $150 round-trip per person

Trains
Amtrak runs several trains per day between Chicago and Detroit, with tickets ranging from $60 to $120 per person, round-trip. The trains are a bit slower than the bus because of the number of stops they make, but they are comfortable and clean,with a stocked dining car and bar, and are very rarely full (except around holidays).

Journey time: About 6 hours, with several stops in Michigan enroute to Detroit.

Buses
Megabus operates three to five double-decker buses between Chicago and Detroit every day. The bus stops for a 30-minute break for food along the way and then stops in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan campus. The first few tickets sold on every bus are just $1 and go up from there. If you buy in advance, you can generally get tickets for $20-$30 each way; prices go up to $80 each way around the holidays.

Journey time: 5.5 hours.

Driving
The drive between Chicago and Detroit is 300 miles of mostly highway driving.

Journey time: 4.5- 5 hours.

Photo by Reznicek111