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How far is California from Chicago if you’re driving?

I just got accepted to USC for college! Needless to say, I’m super pumped. My dad and I are going to tackle the drive in three days so that we can move my stuff into my dorm together. Roughly how long will the drive take us?

avatar
Samuel Todd · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congratulations on getting into a fantastic school! The drive from
Chicago
to
California
is no joke—it takes about 26 hours to cover the 1,800 miles between the Windy City and Cali’s border, and a total of 30 hours to reach LA (a whopping 2,000 miles away!).
Here’s a comparison of your two major choices for the drive:
  • The northern route will take you about 30 hours. Great options for hotels along the route will be in
    Lincoln
    ,
    Denver
    , and
    Las Vegas
    —that way, you can split the drive up and check out some major cities along the way.
  • The southern route is a bit longer, coming in at 31 hours. If you want a low-key drive that takes you through
    St. Louis
    ,
    Oklahoma City
    ,
    Albuquerque
    , and even the top tip of Texas, the southern route is the best move for you.
Whether you’ve got a brand-new car or a hand-me-down for your trip to Cali, you’ll want to make sure it’s covered with the best insurance.
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MORE: How to get cheap car insurance for young drivers
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