Cheap flights from Reagan National to Chicago O'Hare from $119
Updated 2026-05-27
611 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 1h 38m with 6 airlines operating direct service from Reagan National (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD). Cheapest fares are usually in Jun (around $119 return), with peak prices in Jun (around $357). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from Reagan National
Ronald Reagan Washington National sits 4 miles from the Capitol — one of the most central airports in the United States, with strict perimeter rules limiting most non-stop flights to within 1,250 miles. Metro Yellow and Blue Lines run from the airport's own station directly to downtown DC in 8 minutes for around $2.50. American and Delta have the largest schedules; nearly all flights are domestic. The strict perimeter and slot controls keep DCA fares structurally higher than IAD or BWI.
Arriving in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare sits 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, with the CTA Blue Line running 24 hours from the airport's own station to the Loop in 45 minutes for $5. Winter weather causes chronic delays from late November through February; book mid-day rather than evening departures during that window. Fares peak around major Chicago conventions and concert weekends; January and August are typically the cheapest months.
Who flies DCA to ORD?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| American Airlines | AA | 1h 38m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 1h 38m | Economy |
| United Airlines | UA | 1h 38m | Economy |
| Southwest Airlines | WN | 1h 38m | Economy |
| JetBlue Airways | B6 | 1h 38m | Economy |
| Alaska Airlines | AS | 1h 38m | Economy |
6 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly DCA→ORD
Aggregated from 12 months of Travelpayouts fare data. Cheapest months in green, peak in red.
Source: Travelpayouts route data, refreshed every 30 days. Cheapest day-of-week typically Tuesday.
Washington to Chicago FAQs
Direct flights from Reagan National (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD) take approximately 1h 38m for the 611-mile journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
Jun is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $119. Jun is the peak — expect prices 2–3× higher. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares; last-minute prices on this corridor rise sharply inside two weeks of departure.
6 carriers operate direct service from Reagan National (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD): American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and 1 more. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — American Airlines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
No — United States is domestic travel for US citizens. A US passport is not required for the 50 states, DC or US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands), though Real ID-compliant ID is required at TSA from May 2025.
Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is the primary international airport for Chicago. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus, taxi or rideshare depending on traffic and time of day. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.