Chicago skyline at sunrise reflected in Lake Michigan. Flights from Detroit to Chicago

Route guide

Cheap Flights from Detroit to Chicago

Search Detroit Metro to Chicago O'Hare, with where Delta, American and United check in at DTW and how to leave O'Hare by taxi, Metra or Pace bus.

DTW to ORD · 234 mi · 1h 9m est.

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

Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Detroit to Chicago flight insights

Average flight time

~1h 9m (estimated)

DTW → ORD

Cheapest cached price

$156

Checking live fares…

Prices shown may not be current. Last checked: Oct 21, 2026.

Planning a trip from Detroit to Chicago? The average flight time on this route is ~1h 9m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $156 (last checked Oct 21, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

Detroit to Chicago 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.

Detroit to Chicago at a glance

DTW to ORD 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 Detroit to Chicago on Eazair
Origin	Detroit (DTW)
Destination	Chicago (ORD)
Average Flight Time	~1h 9m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$156
Fares Last Checked	Oct 21, 2026
Distance	234 miles (DTW to ORD)
Time in Chicago	1 hour behind Detroit
Airlines in our fare results	3

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

Flight deals from Detroit to Chicago

Leaving from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW), this page searches flights into Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) rather than Midway (MDW), which the CTA Orange Line serves. American, Delta and United appear for Detroit on O'Hare's nonstop list as of 1 Sep 2026; schedules change, so check the stops on each result. Delta, United and American have appeared in EazAir's fare checks for this route. At the Chicago end, Delta says it flies from O'Hare's Terminal 5.

Delta departs from DTW's McNamara Terminal, while American and United use Evans, and DTW advises confirming your airline's terminal before you board a bus. Checkpoints are in the McNamara ticketing lobby on Level 3, on the McNamara bridge from the parking garage on Level 2, at the Westin hotel and in the Evans ticketing lobby. CLEAR lanes are at both McNamara checkpoints. DTW does not publish checkpoint hours. Michigan Flyer and AirRide coaches run to DTW from Ann Arbor.

Taxi stands line the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at every O'Hare terminal. For rail other than the CTA Blue Line, Metra North Central Service weekday trains leave the O'Hare Transfer station, behind the Multi-Modal Facility, for Union Station downtown, with tickets bought from the conductor. Pace Route 250 runs from bus bays 8 and 9 to the Des Plaines Metra station and downtown Evanston. The free Airport Transit System links each terminal with the Multi-Modal Facility.

EazAir's first 4 fare checks for DTW to ORD ran from 17 Sep to 16 Oct 2026, and each tracked the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult flying 30 days after the check. The 4 checks returned 3 different results, and the highest stayed under one and a half times the lowest. Delta Main Basic seats are assigned after check-in, and American Basic Economy gives a free seat at check-in. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for Detroit to Chicago flights

Departure · Detroit

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)

Eastern Time

Arrival · Chicago

O'Hare International (ORD)

Central Time

Other airports near Chicago: Chicago Midway International (MDW)

About Chicago

Areas to know in Chicago

Wicker Park
The Loop
Lincoln Park

Weather in Chicago

Summers are warm and humid, winters are cold with lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan. Spring and fall bring the mildest sightseeing weather.

Detroit to Chicago: 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 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.

Detroit Air Xpress, SMART Route 125 and FAST Michigan Route 261 stop at both terminals, and SMART Route 280 at Evans only. DTW advises confirming your airline's terminal before you board.
Michigan Flyer and AirRide run to DTW from Ann Arbor, and Michigan Flyer also from East Lansing.
DTW lists checkpoints in the McNamara ticketing lobby on Level 3, on the McNamara bridge from the parking garage on Level 2, at the Westin hotel and in the Evans ticketing lobby.
DTW says access to all airline gates is through the security checkpoint areas, and CLEAR lanes are at both McNamara checkpoints.
DTW says the TSA PreCheck office is in the McNamara Terminal's domestic baggage claim area. DTW does not publish checkpoint hours.

Arriving at Chicago O'Hare International (ORD)

Delta says it uses Terminal 5 at O'Hare. For other airlines, check your boarding pass or airline app.

Delta says it moved its O'Hare flights to Terminal 5 in October 2022.
The Airport Transit System train runs 24 hours, every 3 to 5 minutes at busy times, and links Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 with the Multi-Modal Facility for rental cars, Economy Parking Lot F, Pace buses and Metra.
From 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., a Terminal Transfer Bus runs about every 15 minutes inside security between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1 and 3, for connecting passengers with a same-day boarding pass.
At other times, passengers connecting between Terminal 5 and Terminals 1, 2 and 3 leave security, ride the Airport Transit System and are screened again.

Getting from O'Hare	Where to board	Where it goes
CTA Blue Line	Station on the lower level of the parking garage. From Terminals 1, 2 and 3, follow the Trains to City signs through the Basement Level tunnels. From Terminal 5, ride the free Airport Transit System to Terminal 2 first. Runs 24 hours. Rides starting at O'Hare cost more than a standard CTA fare.	Downtown Chicago in 40 to 45 minutes, according to CTA.
Rideshare	Upper level at Terminal 2 (orange poles 2A to 2G, with an indoor waiting area between vestibules 2A and 2D) and Terminal 3 (green poles 3G to 3K). O'Hare lists no Terminal 5 pickup, so check your app.	Wherever you booked.
Taxis	Stands on the lower-level curb outside baggage claim at each terminal.	Your destination.
Pace Routes 250 and 330	Multi-Modal Facility, bus bays 8 and 9. Ride the Airport Transit System from the terminals.	Route 250 to the Des Plaines Metra station and downtown Evanston. Route 330, on weekdays and Saturdays, to Archer Ave and Harlem Ave in Summit.
Metra North Central Service	O'Hare Transfer station, behind the Multi-Modal Facility at its northeast corner. Ride the Airport Transit System to the Multi-Modal Facility. Weekday trains. Buy tickets from the conductor.	Union Station in downtown Chicago, or north to Antioch.

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 4 fare checks from Detroit to Chicago ran from 17 Sep to 16 Oct 2026. For the return direction, Chicago to Detroit, EazAir's first check was on 14 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. The highest result was less than one and a half times the lowest. The 4 checks returned 3 different results. With only 4 checks, this cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

DTW: Airline directory (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Public transportation (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DTW: Security checkpoints (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Michigan Flyer (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta's new O'Hare home (11 Oct 2022, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Airport Transit System and terminal transfers (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: ATS service update (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Public transit (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Taxis and rideshare (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
CTA: Airports (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
CTA: Fares (fare chart effective 20 Feb 2023, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Midway: Public transit (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
O'Hare: Domestic nonstop destinations (as of 1 Sep 2026, 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 DTW to ORD, 17 Sep 2026 to 16 Oct 2026; ORD to DTW, 14 Oct 2026 to 14 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

Which DTW terminal do I leave from?

DTW lists Delta at the McNamara Terminal, and American and United at the Evans Terminal. The Terminal to Terminal/Westin Shuttle links them about every 10 minutes if you go to the wrong one.

Does DTW have CLEAR or a TSA PreCheck office?

DTW says CLEAR lanes are at both McNamara Terminal checkpoints, and the TSA PreCheck office is in the McNamara Terminal's domestic baggage claim area.

Can I take Metra from O'Hare?

Yes, on weekdays. Metra North Central Service stops at the O'Hare Transfer station, behind the Multi-Modal Facility, and runs to Union Station downtown or north to Antioch. Buy tickets from the conductor.

Which O'Hare terminal does Delta arrive at?

Delta says it moved its O'Hare flights to Terminal 5 in October 2022. O'Hare lists no rideshare pickup there, and the Blue Line is reached by riding the Airport Transit System to Terminal 2.

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

Delta Main Basic and American Basic Economy include a carry-on plus a personal item. United Basic Economy on domestic flights includes a personal item only for most travellers.

How far is Detroit from Chicago O'Hare?

DTW and ORD 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
Southwest Airlines	Included	$45	$55	southwest.com, Oct 27, 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.

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.