Flight time from Chicago to Denver
A nonstop flight from Chicago (ORD) to Denver (DEN) takes about 2 h 50 min. Flying back from Denver to Chicago takes about 2 h 30 min. The two airports are 886 miles (1,426 km) apart.
| Route | Typical nonstop time | Leave 9:00 AM, land (local time) |
|---|---|---|
| ORD → DEN | 2h 50m | Chicago → 10:50 AM |
| DEN → ORD | 2h 30m | Denver → 12:30 PM |
Example arrival times are for a departure on November 18, 2026. Times are estimates of gate-to-gate block time, from the great-circle distance, typical jet cruising speeds, average upper-level winds and about 45 minutes for taxi, take-off, climb and landing. They are not airline schedules, and we don't track which airlines fly this route nonstop. Real flights vary by aircraft, routing, season and the day's wind; check your airline for the exact time.
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Time difference
Denver is 1 hour behind of Chicago right now. See the time now in Chicago and Denver, or compare them in the time zone converter.
The Denver to Chicago flight is usually quicker than Chicago to Denver. High-altitude winds, led by the jet stream, mostly blow from west to east, so planes heading east ride a tailwind and planes heading west fight a headwind. On busy routes the difference shows up in airline timetables every day.
Questions people ask
How long is the flight from Chicago to Denver?
A nonstop flight from Chicago (ORD) to Denver (DEN) takes about 2 h 50 min, gate to gate. The return flight takes about 2 h 30 min.
How far is Denver from Chicago?
886 miles (1,426 km) along the great-circle route, the shortest path over the Earth between ORD and DEN airports.
What is the time difference between Chicago and Denver?
Denver is 1 hour behind of Chicago right now. The difference can change by an hour during the year when one city changes its clocks for daylight saving time and the other does not.
More flight times
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Last updated October 21, 2026. Airport locations: OurAirports via airportsdata; time zones: IANA time zone database 2026.