Chicago to New Orleans

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Chicago to New Orleans is one of America's classic long-distance rail journeys, made famous long before Amtrak by the folk song of the same name. You can cover the roughly 1,500 km in a single overnight train, a two-hour flight, or a multi-day road trip down through the Mississippi Delta. Here is how each option compares.

The scenic way: the overnight train

Amtrak's City of New Orleans runs once a day in each direction, departing Chicago Union Station in the afternoon and arriving in New Orleans the following morning — a journey of around 19 hours. It is named after the same route immortalised in the Arlo Guthrie song, and it still follows a similar path south through Illinois, Memphis and the Mississippi Delta.

Three classes of travel are available: coach seats (reclining, with more legroom than a plane), Roomettes (a private compartment for two with fold-down bunks) and Bedrooms (larger, with an en-suite toilet and shower). Sleeper fares include meals in the dining car, which softens the price gap with coach. The train runs on freight-owned track for much of the route, so delays of an hour or more are common — build slack into any onward plans in New Orleans rather than booking a tight connection.

The fastest way: flying

Several airlines fly Chicago to New Orleans non-stop in around 2 hours 15 minutes, usually from O'Hare, with New Orleans Louis Armstrong International on the other end. Add airport time on both sides and the realistic door-to-door figure is closer to five hours, but that is still far faster than the train or the drive. Fares vary a great deal by how far ahead you book; midweek advance fares are typically the cheapest.

The cheapest way: long-distance buses

Coach services connect Chicago and New Orleans, usually with at least one change in Memphis or another Midwest hub, and the journey stretches to 20–24 hours depending on the connection. Fares are generally the lowest of any mode if booked in advance, but the trip is long and the overnight train covers similar ground in less time and considerably more comfort — the bus mainly appeals to the most budget-conscious travellers.

The road trip: driving

The drive is about 1,530 km and takes roughly 15–16 hours of non-stop driving, but almost nobody does it non-stop. Most travellers split it over two or three days, following the Mississippi River south through St Louis, Memphis and the Delta. This route overlaps with parts of the old Blues Highway, and stopping in Memphis for a night — or detouring into the Delta towns of Mississippi — turns a long drive into a proper road trip. Interstate 55 is the main artery for most of the way, running fairly flat and straight through farmland before the landscape changes closer to Louisiana.

Petrol, tolls (mostly minimal on this route) and one or two nights of accommodation should factor into any cost comparison with flying or the train — for a solo or two-person trip, driving is rarely the cheapest option once these are added up, but it wins if you want to see Memphis and the Delta along the way.

Which should you choose?

Choose the train if the journey itself is part of the appeal — it is a slow, comfortable, genuinely American rail experience, best with a sleeper berth. Choose flying if you simply need to get from one city to the other efficiently. Choose the bus only if cost is the overriding factor. Choose driving if you want to stop in Memphis, explore the Mississippi Delta, or continue on elsewhere in the South afterwards — for onward travel around the region, see the broader guide to the USA by train.

Practical tips

• Book Roomette or Bedroom sleeper space well ahead in peak season (spring Mardi Gras period, autumn), as sleeper inventory on this route is limited.
• The train can run late; avoid booking a same-day onward flight or tight hotel check-in windows in New Orleans.
• Chicago Union Station and New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal are both central and well connected to public transport.
• If driving, plan for a stop in Memphis — Beale Street and Sun Studio are natural waypoints roughly at the journey's halfway point.

Station orientation and boarding

Chicago Union Station is one of America's grander rail terminals, with a spacious Great Hall and clear signage toward Amtrak's boarding gates, though the station can be busy with commuter traffic at peak times — allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the layout. Sleeper passengers typically have access to a dedicated lounge before boarding, a comfortable place to wait rather than the general concourse. New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal is smaller and more relaxed, sitting a short walk or rideshare from the French Quarter and the main tourist areas.

Comfort and what to pack

Coach seats on the City of New Orleans recline further than a typical domestic flight seat and include leg rests, making an overnight journey in coach class more comfortable than it might sound, though a travel pillow and light blanket are worth bringing regardless of class. Roomette and Bedroom passengers get bedding provided, along with access to the dining car for included meals — a genuine highlight of the trip for many travellers rather than a mere formality. Power outlets are available in all classes, and the train has a lounge/café car with snacks and drinks for coach passengers not using the main dining car.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most frequent misstep is underestimating how much freight-track congestion can delay this train — build slack into any tight onward plans rather than assuming the scheduled 19-hour journey will run exactly on time. Another is assuming last-minute sleeper availability will be there; Roomettes and Bedrooms sell out well ahead of peak dates, particularly around Mardi Gras and major festivals in New Orleans, so book as early as your plans allow.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Chicago to New Orleans?

Yes. Amtrak's City of New Orleans runs once daily each way, overnight, taking about 19 hours with coach, Roomette and Bedroom options.

How long does the drive from Chicago to New Orleans take?

About 1,530 km and 15–16 hours of driving without stops, though most people split the journey over two or three days via Memphis.

What is the cheapest way to travel from Chicago to New Orleans?

A long-distance coach is usually the lowest fare if booked ahead, though the journey takes 20 hours or more with a change en route.

Is the Amtrak sleeper worth it on this route?

Many travellers think so — meals are included in the dining car, and a private Roomette or Bedroom makes the overnight journey genuinely restful compared with a coach seat.