Flight time from Los Angeles to Chicago
A nonstop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 4 h 5 min. Flying back from Chicago to Los Angeles takes about 4 h 40 min. The two airports are 1,741 miles (2,802 km) apart.
| Route | Typical nonstop time | Leave 9:00 AM, land (local time) |
|---|---|---|
| LAX → ORD | 4h 05m | Los Angeles → 3:05 PM |
| ORD → LAX | 4h 40m | Chicago → 11:40 AM |
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
Chicago is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles right now. See the time now in Los Angeles and Chicago, or compare them in the time zone converter.
The Los Angeles to Chicago flight is usually quicker than Chicago to Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles to Chicago?
A nonstop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (ORD) takes about 4 h 5 min, gate to gate. The return flight takes about 4 h 40 min.
How far is Chicago from Los Angeles?
1,741 miles (2,802 km) along the great-circle route, the shortest path over the Earth between LAX and ORD airports.
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and Chicago?
Chicago is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles 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.
If I leave Los Angeles at 9 a.m., when do I arrive in Chicago?
Leaving Los Angeles at 9:00 AM on November 18, 2026, you would land in Chicago at about 3:05 PM local time.
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Last updated October 21, 2026. Airport locations: OurAirports via airportsdata; time zones: IANA time zone database 2026.