Dallas to Chicago

Compare Dallas (DFW) to Chicago (ORD/MDW) airfare across American, United, Southwest, and Spirit, track fare trends on this major hub-to-hub business corridor, and land in the Midwest in about 2 hours 15 minutes.

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Route

DFW–CHI

Distance

1489 KM

Flight Time

2H 15M

Weekly Flights

120+

Fares From

$49

Carriers

AA · UA · WN · NK

Compare & Book

Cheap Flights from Dallas to Chicago — Compare Our Best Deals

With 120+ nonstop weekly departures, Dallas to Chicago links two of the country’s largest airline hubs. Browse one-way fares from $49, round-trip fares from $89, and compare American’s high-frequency DFW-to-O’Hare schedule against United, Southwest, and Spirit.

DFW Dallas ✈ CHI Chicago
One Way

$49

per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · American, United, Southwest, Spirit

DFW Dallas ✈ CHI Chicago
Round Trip

$89

per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · American, United, Southwest, Spirit

Who Flies This Route

Airlines with Flights from Dallas to Chicago

DFW–CHI is a marquee hub-to-hub route for American Airlines, with United also flying it as a core O’Hare connection, plus Southwest and Spirit adding budget options.

AirlineBase / HubWeekly DeparturesFlight TimeCode
American AirlinesDallas/Fort Worth (DFW) hub~55 nonstop2h 10m – 2h 25mAA
United AirlinesChicago O’Hare (ORD) hub~35 nonstop2h 15mUA
Southwest AirlinesChicago Midway (MDW) base~20 nonstop2h 20mWN
Spirit AirlinesMulti-hub network~10 nonstop2h 20mNK
Route Insights

Cheap Flights from Dallas to Chicago — Direct Flights, Duration & Best Travel Time

Data-backed insights on the DFW–CHI route to help you book smarter and time your trip well.

17

Daily Flights

Feb

Cheapest Month

2h 17m

Avg. Flight Duration

Jul

Peak Season

925 mi

Distance

100%

Nonstop Flights

What’s the cheapest day to fly DFW → CHI?
 
Fare history shows Tuesday and Wednesday departures run cheapest, while Friday and Sunday climb as this heavily-trafficked business corridor peaks.
What’s the cheapest month to fly?
 
February tends to run cheapest between the winter holidays and spring break, while July — peak summer travel — sees the steepest average prices.
 
Good To Know

Insights About Flying from Dallas to Chicago

Which is the low season to travel from Dallas to Chicago?
 
February is typically the low season, between the winter holidays and spring break, when fares soften across all four carriers.
Which is the low season to travel from Atlanta to New York?
 
February is typically the low season, offering the best combination of availability and price on this year-round route.
How many daily flights are there between DFW and Chicago?
 
There are roughly 17 nonstop flights per day between Dallas and Chicago, combined across O’Hare and Midway on American, United, Southwest, and Spirit.
 
Which is the busiest day for passengers on this route?
 
Friday is typically busiest, as business travelers and weekend visitors move between two of American’s largest hub cities.
At what time does the last flight depart to Chicago?
 
The last nonstop flight typically departs Dallas between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, depending on the carrier.
At what time does the earliest flight depart from Dallas?
 
The earliest nonstop departure leaves DFW around 6:00 AM, landing in Chicago by mid-morning given the one-hour time difference.
Should I fly into O’Hare or Midway?
 
American and United primarily use O’Hare, while Southwest flies exclusively into Midway — compare fares at both since prices can differ notably.
What percentage of travelers booked business class?
 
Around 10% of travelers book a premium cabin on this route, among the higher shares of any Dallas domestic corridor.
Why Chicago

Why Fly to Chicago from Dallas?

Chicago pairs an iconic skyline and lakefront with deep-dish pizza, world-class museums, and some of the best architecture in the country.

01

The Magnificent Mile & Willis Tower

Chicago’s signature shopping strip runs alongside some of the city’s tallest buildings, including the Willis Tower’s glass Skydeck.

02

Millennium Park & The Bean

Cloud Gate, better known as “The Bean,” anchors a downtown park that also hosts free summer concerts and skating in winter.

03

Art Institute of Chicago

One of the country’s oldest and largest art museums, with an encyclopedic collection spanning centuries and continents.

04

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

A boat tour along the Chicago River offers one of the best introductions to the city’s landmark skyscrapers and design history.

 

05

Navy Pier & the Lakefront

Chicago’s lakefront trail and Navy Pier’s rides and restaurants make for an easy afternoon by the water.

 

06

Legendary Food Scene

From deep-dish pizza to Chicago-style hot dogs, the city’s food culture is as much a draw as its architecture.

 
— Airport Guide

DFW & CHI — Quick Facts

Dallas/Fort Worth Intl

ICAO Code
KDFW

Distance to Downtown Minneapolis

~27 km NE
Terminals
5

Known For

Dallas Love Field (DAL), Southwest’s home base

Transit to Downtown

American Airlines’ largest hub

Time Zone

Central (CT)
 

Chicago O'Hare Intl

ICAO Code

KORD

Distance to the Strip

~27 km NW
Terminals

4

Known For

Midway (MDW), Southwest’s Chicago base

Taxi to the Strip

~45 min, CTA Blue Line

Time Zone

Central (CT)
 
— Save More

How to Find the Cheapest Dallas–Chicago Fares

01

Book 3–5 Weeks Ahead

Fares on this high-frequency hub-to-hub route are typically lowest about a month out, especially outside summer peak.

02

Fly Tuesday or Wednesday

Midweek departures consistently undercut Friday and Sunday fares on this business-heavy corridor.

 

03

Compare American vs. United

Both carriers operate this as a core hub route — compare their schedules and fares directly, along with Southwest and Spirit.

 

04

Consider Love Field for Southwest Connections

If your trip includes a Southwest connection, check fares from Dallas Love Field (DAL) as well as DFW.

 

05

Set a Fare Alert

With four carriers competing at high frequency, fares shift often — an alert catches drops the moment they post.

 

06

Avoid Peak Summer Weekends

June through August sees the highest average fares as summer vacation travel peaks — shoulder-season and midweek travel run noticeably cheaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aim to book 3–5 weeks before departure for the best fares, and earlier still around summer and major holiday weekends.

Yes, American, United, Southwest, and Spirit all operate this route nonstop, with a typical flight time of about 2 hours 15 minutes.

American and United primarily use O'Hare, while Southwest flies exclusively into Midway — compare fares at both since prices can differ notably.

Basic Economy and ultra-low-cost fares are the most restrictive. Standard fares on American and United offer more flexibility; always check fare rules at checkout.

Book 3–5 weeks ahead, fly midweek, compare both Chicago airports and all four carriers, and avoid peak summer weekends if your dates are flexible.

Yes — both DFW and O'Hare offer extensive international connections, making this a useful link in a broader itinerary.

The Complete Guide

Everything to Know About Cheap Flights from Dallas to Chicago

What to Expect
A Marquee Hub-to-Hub Route

At 925 miles, Dallas to Chicago links two of American Airlines’ largest hubs, with roughly 17 daily nonstop departures across two Chicago airports and four carriers. It’s a heavy business-travel route.

 
Budget Tips
What You’ll Actually Pay

One-way fares typically start around $49 and round-trips from $89, climbing during summer and major holiday weekends. With four carriers competing, comparing all-in pricing usually finds real savings.

Booking Advice
Read the Fare Rules First

Spirit’s ultra-low base fares often exclude checked bags, carry-ons, and seat selection. Tally those extras before comparing against American, United, or Southwest.

Ready to Book Your Cheap Flight to Chicago?

Compare American, United, Southwest, and Spirit, lock in your DFW → Chicago fare, and get to the Midwest faster. No booking fees — ever.

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