Chicago to St. Louis is about 320 miles (515 km) by road and 262 miles in a straight line. The drive takes around 5 hr 43 min. The distance is the same in reverse, from St. Louis to Chicago.
What This Distance Means for Your Trip
At 320 miles, this is a driving distance rather than a flying one — and a train or bus is often an option too. A scheduled flight would cover only about 262 miles in the air, and once you factor in getting to the airport, checking in and clearing security, that airport time alone cancels out anything saved aloft. For a trip this length, driving is almost always the practical choice.
Want the full side-by-side on time, cost and hassle? See our drive-or-fly breakdown for Chicago to St. Louis.
How we calculate these figures
Straight-line distance uses the great-circle (haversine) formula between each city's centre coordinates. Road distance applies a circuity factor of roughly 1.2–1.4× to reflect that roads are not straight. Driving time assumes typical blended speeds for a trip of this length, and flight time is the great-circle distance at about 875 km/h cruise plus around 30 minutes for taxi, climb, descent and approach. The door-to-door air estimate adds about three hours for airport access, check-in, security and boarding. Real figures vary with your exact route, traffic, weather, aircraft and connections.
Chicago to St. Louis is a 300-mile drive straight south on I-55 through the Illinois prairie — flat, fast, and largely featureless until the Mississippi River valley opens up approaching St. Louis.
Springfield, Illinois (Abraham Lincoln's hometown and the state capital) makes the only worthwhile cultural stop on this otherwise utilitarian stretch of interstate.
Stops Along the Way
Abraham Lincoln's hometown — the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is exceptional, and Lincoln's home and law offices are compelling historic sites.
Meeting someone from St. Louis? Find the exact halfway point between Chicago and St. Louis so neither of you drives the whole way — or plan evenly-spaced rest and fuel stops along the route.
Tips for This Trip
Springfield is a genuine stop, not just a gas break
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is one of the best presidential libraries in the US.
St. Louis parking is abundant and cheap
Unlike Chicago, parking in downtown St. Louis and near the Gateway Arch is easy and affordable.
The Gateway Arch is best at sunset
The Arch's stainless steel catches extraordinary light at golden hour. Time your arrival for late afternoon.
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Frequently Asked Questions
St. Louis is about 260 miles (418 km) from Chicago in a straight line, and approximately 300 miles (483 km) by road via Interstate 55 south through the Illinois prairie.