Chicago to Detroit flights
Detroit lies 384 km (238 mi) east of Chicago, +1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 15 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Chicago | Detroit | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Population | 2.7 million | 645,705 |
| Elevation | 180 m (591 ft) | 192 m (630 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) | UTC-4 (America/Detroit) |
| Nearest large airport | MDW, 11 km out | YQG, 10 km out |
| Postal codes | 60601–60701 | 48201–48288 |
Clocks in Detroit are 1 h ahead of Chicago right now, so a 1 h 15 min journey lands 2 h 15 min later by the destination clock.
Airports at each end
Leaving Chicago
Chicago is served by 4 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), 11 km (7 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 6,522 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD, 25 km), Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY, 33 km), Michigan City Municipal Airport (MGC, 71 km).
Arriving in Detroit
Detroit is served by 3 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Windsor International Airport (YQG), 10 km (6 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 9,000 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW, 29 km), Bishop International Airport (FNT, 91 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor International Airport | YQG | 10 km (6 mi) | 9,000 ft | 622 ft |
| Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport | DTW | 29 km (18 mi) | 12,003 ft | 645 ft |
| Bishop International Airport (regional) | FNT | 91 km (57 mi) | 7,852 ft | 782 ft |
Book a flight to Detroit
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Staying in Detroit
Our booking partner lists 196 places to stay in Detroit. Of the 139 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (86), and 2 are five-star. Across 46 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.4 out of 10. Guests have left 26,105 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Detroit
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Detroit from Chicago?
384 km (238 mi) in a straight line, east of Chicago.
How long does it take to get from Chicago to Detroit by air?
About 1 h 15 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Chicago and Detroit?
Detroit is 1 h ahead at the moment (America/Detroit against America/Chicago).
Which airports are used for Chicago to Detroit flights?
Typically Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Windsor International Airport (YQG); Detroit also has DTW, FNT.
Where can I stay in Detroit?
Our booking partner lists 196 places to stay in Detroit, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 13 September 2026. Hotel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.