Detroit skyline across the Detroit River. Flights from Chicago to Detroit

Route guide

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Detroit

Search Chicago O'Hare to Detroit Metro, with which DTW terminal Delta, American and United use, the McNamara ExpressTram and buses to downtown Detroit.

ORD to DTW · 234 mi · 1h 9m est.

ORD to DTW
234 miles
1h 9m nonstop (estimated)
3 airlines in our fare results

Photo: Andrew Heneen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chicago to Detroit flight insights

Average flight time

~1h 9m (estimated)

ORD → DTW

Cheapest cached price

$109

Checking live fares…

Prices shown may not be current. Last checked: Oct 22, 2026.

Planning a trip from Chicago to Detroit? The average flight time on this route is ~1h 9m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $109 (last checked Oct 22, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

Chicago to Detroit covers a straight-line distance of about 234 miles. Based on that distance, a nonstop flight would take approximately ~1h 9m (estimated). Actual flight time varies by airline, aircraft and routing.

Chicago to Detroit at a glance

ORD to DTW is about 234 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from Chicago to Detroit on Eazair
Origin	Chicago (ORD)
Destination	Detroit (DTW)
Average Flight Time	~1h 9m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$109
Fares Last Checked	Oct 22, 2026
Distance	234 miles (ORD to DTW)
Time in Detroit	1 hour ahead of Chicago
Airlines in our fare results	3

Local time in Detroit is 1 hour ahead of Chicago. Chicago is on Central Time, Detroit on Eastern Time.

Flight deals from Chicago to Detroit

Flights on this page run from Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW). Midway (MDW) is a separate Chicago airport, so check which one each fare uses. O'Hare's nonstop list, as of 1 Sep 2026, shows American, Delta and United on the Detroit route, but schedules change. Delta, United and American have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route. DTW splits them across two terminals, with Delta at McNamara and American and United at Evans.

O'Hare lists the Terminal 2 checkpoint (CP5) from 3:15 a.m. to 11 p.m., with TSA PreCheck from 3:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Delta passengers head instead to Terminal 5, whose checkpoint is listed as open 24 hours. If you are not on the CTA Blue Line, Pace Routes 250 and 330 and weekday Metra North Central Service trains reach the Multi-Modal Facility, and the Airport Transit System carries riders from there to every terminal.

DTW says some boarding passes show McNamara as EM and Evans as WE. The Terminal to Terminal/Westin Shuttle joins the two about every 10 minutes, and inside McNamara the ExpressTram runs the mile-long Concourse A between three stations. Detroit Air Xpress goes downtown every day from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and SMART Route 125 and FAST Michigan Route 261 serve both terminals. McNamara rideshare pickup is on Level 4 of the McNamara Parking Garage, across the Skybridge.

EazAir's first fare check for Chicago to Detroit was on 14 Oct 2026, asking partner sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult departing 30 days later. One check cannot show a pattern. United Basic Economy on domestic flights includes only a personal item for most travellers, while Delta Main Basic and American Basic Economy include a carry-on. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for Chicago to Detroit flights

Departure · Chicago

O'Hare International (ORD)

Central Time

Other airports near Chicago: Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Arrival · Detroit

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)

Eastern Time

About Detroit

Areas to know in Detroit

Corktown
Midtown
Downtown / Greektown

Weather in Detroit

Cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers.

Chicago to Detroit: airport and fare guide

Checked on 17 Oct 2026 against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

Chicago O'Hare International's nonstop list (as of 1 Sep 2026) shows Detroit (DTW) served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Schedules change, so check the stops shown with each result.

Chicago Midway (MDW) is a separate airport, served by the CTA Orange Line. Check which Chicago airport each fare uses.

Leaving from Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)

The CTA Blue Line runs 24 hours to O'Hare station, which links to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 by Basement Level tunnels. For Terminal 5, ride the free Airport Transit System from Terminal 2.
Pace Routes 250 and 330 and Metra North Central Service weekday trains stop at the Multi-Modal Facility, which the Airport Transit System links to every terminal.
O'Hare lists the Terminal 5 checkpoint (CP10) as open 24 hours, with TSA PreCheck from 3:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Terminal 2's checkpoint (CP5) is listed from 3:15 a.m. to 11 p.m., with PreCheck from 3:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In Terminal 1, CP1 is listed from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and CP2, with TSA PreCheck, from 4 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. In Terminal 3, CP7A is listed from 3:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with PreCheck from 3:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
O'Hare says checkpoint hours may be affected by day-to-day airport activities, and recommends checking with your airline about operations on the date of your flight.

Arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)

Airline	DTW terminal
Delta	McNamara Terminal
American	Evans Terminal
United	Evans Terminal
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

DTW says some boarding passes may show the McNamara Terminal as EM and the Evans Terminal as WE.

DTW has two separate terminals, McNamara and Evans. The Terminal to Terminal/Westin Shuttle leaves about every 10 minutes from each Ground Transportation Center and the Westin Hotel entrance.
In McNamara, the ExpressTram runs along the mile-long Concourse A: South Station for gates A1 to A28, Terminal Station for A29 to A55 and North Station for A56 to A78.
McNamara's Terminal Station also gives access to check-in, baggage claim, ground transportation and the tunnel to Concourses B and C.

Getting from DTW	Where to board	Where it goes
Detroit Air Xpress	Evans: Ground Transportation Center. McNamara: Departures Level near Door 1. Runs every day from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.	Downtown Detroit.
SMART and FAST buses	Same stops. SMART Route 125 and FAST Michigan Route 261 serve both terminals; SMART Route 280 serves Evans only.	Downtown Detroit and surrounding suburbs.
Michigan Flyer and AirRide	Same stops. Inside both terminals, follow the Public Transit signs.	Ann Arbor (both) and East Lansing (Michigan Flyer).
Rideshare	McNamara: Level 4 of the McNamara Parking Garage, across the Skybridge and down the Level 6 Ground Transportation Center elevators. Evans: Level 1 of the Big Blue Deck, across the Skybridge.	Wherever you booked.
Taxis	McNamara: middle of the Ground Transportation Center on Level 4. Evans: upper level of the Ground Transportation Center.	Your destination.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first fare check from Chicago to Detroit was on 14 Oct 2026. For the return direction, Detroit to Chicago, EazAir's first 4 checks ran from 17 Sep to 16 Oct 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. One check cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

Delta: Delta's new O'Hare home (11 Oct 2022, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Public transit (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
CTA: Airports (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: ATS service update (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: TSA checkpoints (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Domestic nonstop destinations (as of 1 Sep 2026, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Airline directory (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Transfer between terminals (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Shuttle services (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Public transportation (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Rideshare (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: ExpressTram (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Taxis and luxury sedans (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Michigan Flyer (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for ORD to DTW, 14 Oct 2026 to 14 Oct 2026; DTW to ORD, 17 Sep 2026 to 16 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

Which Detroit terminal will I arrive at?

DTW lists Delta at the McNamara Terminal, and American and United at the Evans Terminal. DTW says some boarding passes may show McNamara as EM and Evans as WE.

How do I get from DTW to downtown Detroit?

Detroit Air Xpress runs to downtown Detroit every day from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. SMART Route 125 and FAST Michigan Route 261 also serve both terminals. At McNamara, buses stop on the Departures Level near Door 1.

Is there a nonstop flight from O'Hare to Detroit?

O'Hare's nonstop list, as of 1 Sep 2026, shows Detroit served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Schedules change, so check the stops shown with each result.

What are the security hours at O'Hare Terminal 2?

O'Hare lists the Terminal 2 checkpoint (CP5) from 3:15 a.m. to 11 p.m., with TSA PreCheck from 3:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. O'Hare says hours may be affected by day-to-day airport activities.

Do basic fares from Chicago to Detroit include a carry-on?

Delta Main Basic and American Basic Economy include a carry-on and a personal item. United Basic Economy includes a personal item only on domestic flights, unless you have MileagePlus Premier status, travel with a member, or hold a qualifying card.

How far is Chicago O'Hare from Detroit Metro?

ORD and DTW are about 234 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Ease jet lag on longer routes

On longer cross-country flights, adjusting your sleep schedule a day or two before departure and staying hydrated in flight can reduce jet lag on arrival.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.