road trip nyc to chicago

7 Essential Stops Driving from Chicago to New York

A Chicago to New York Road Trip Itinerary Perfect For Families

If you’re in the mood for bustling cities, resort towns, and lakefront communities, a road trip from Chicago to New York might just be exactly what you need. 

A drive from Chicago to New York will take you through six states, passing incredible scenery, including the Great Lakes and several historic cities. 

Along the drive, you’ll get to experience some of the best Illinois , Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York have to offer. Great food, lovely landscapes, and incredible cultural offerings are just a small part of what this road trip has to offer! 

If you’re ready to take the road and set out on a road trip from Chicago to New York City, let us help you plot the route. Simply follow our itinerary, which includes the best stops and unforgettable attractions to check out as you drive from Chicago to NYC. 

The Best Driving Chicago to New York City Itinerary 

What is the distance from chicago to nyc .

The distance from Chicago to NYC is 790 miles, which takes between 12 and 13 hours of pure driving. You’ll be moving about half of the way on I-90 east and the second half on I-80 when driving from Chicago to New York by car. 

The 790-mile road trip from Chicago to New York City can be done in a little over 12 hours, but the idea is to take a few days and stop along the Great Lakes, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, as well as check in at a couple of beautiful national parks on the way. 

Along your Chicago to NY drive, you’ll be passing from a big metropolis to small towns and lakeside villages in a smorgasbord of stunning landscapes and must-see sights before you arrive at the Big Apple. 

How Long Do I Need to Drive from Chicago to New York? 

Your road trip from Chicago to NYC can take from a couple of days to two or three weeks. It all boils down to how much time you have available. We strongly suggest spending a couple of weeks in order to have plenty of time to visit some of the cities’ highlights while leaving room to enjoy what the smaller towns have on the menu. 

If you have the time and want to shake it up a little, you can take a slightly more scenic 900-mile route, with a few detours and byways that will give you a few more things to do and see along the way. 

If you drive direct without stops, Chicago to New York City will take you around 12 hours.

Best Time Of Year to Drive from Chicago to NYC 

The Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States have somewhat extreme weather. If you’re not keen on sweating out the heat or getting stuck in a winter storm, your best bet is to plan your road trip from Chicago to New York City in the late spring or early summer. 

Of course, some attractions are on offer only during the summer and winter months, so it really depends on what exactly you want to do during your getaway. Early fall is also a good option if you’re not into crowds, especially when you consider fall foliage in that region of the US is stunning. 

Best Stops on a Chicago to New York Road Trip 

Chicago .

Chicago is the biggest city in the Midwest and the third in size in the US. The Windy City is famous for its skyline full of skyscrapers, baseball, and great hot dogs. You could spend a week or two exploring everything on Windy City’s menu, but a couple of days should be enough to experience the main highlights. 

For spectacular aerial views, Chicago offers two observation decks situated in two of the most famous skyscrapers in the world – Skydeck , which is on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, and 360 Chicago on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building. 

Millennium Park is a must-see in Chicago. This attraction is set above The Art Institute of Chicago and homes incredible art, architecture, and landscaping. 

Traveling with children, be sure to take them to the Field Museum of Natural History , one of the Windy City’s most iconic museums. They’ll also have a blast at the Museum of Ice Cream! 

Lake Michigan 

The first leg of your journey, once you leave Chicago, will take you around the southern part of Lake Michigan , the second largest of the Great Lakes. 

A great way to experience the lake is to stop at Portage, which is only 41 miles from the Windy City. Incredibly enough, you’ll have entered the state of Indiana by driving that short distance on I-90! 

Portage is most famous as a gateway to the Indiana Dunes National Park , which is worth paying a visit. Here, you can hike the three-dune 1.5-mile challenge or simply relax and swim at the beach.  

There are plenty of boarding options both at Indiana Dunes and Portage, in case you decide to make it an overnight stop or squeeze in a few days of lake vacation on your way to New York. Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk ’s enclosed pavilion offers food services and restrooms. 

• Don’t miss these scenic drives in Indiana if you want to explore deeper into the Hoosier State.

Cleveland – Lake Erie, Ohio 

The next stop is Cleveland. You’ll be leaving Lake Michigan behind and traveling east on I-90 for 350 miles I-90 until you reach the capital city of Ohio. 

One of Cleveland’s greatest attractions is its location on the banks of Lake Erie and the insane views that go hand-in-hand. Depending on the weather, you might want to go for a full day of water and lakefront activities or simply enjoy a waterfront stroll or dinner at one of the various restaurants located on the boardwalk. 

Cleveland has a full range of activities for the whole family to enjoy, so we strongly recommend planning for a couple of days here – you’ll soon see why it’s one of the best family vacation spots in the Midwest !

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History are only a few examples of what Cleveland has on offer. 

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland , Ralphie’s actual house from A Christmas Story, complete with the Leg Lamp in the window, and the Cleveland Zoo will keep the little ones busy for hours, too, in case you’re travelling with kids. 

If you’re itching for a nature fix and have the time to indulge, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a mere 20 minutes from the city. One of the best national parks on the east coast , here, you can hike the hills and forests while you look out for deer, beavers, and more than 250 bird species, including the iconic bald eagle! 

Pittsburgh 

A 134-mile drive going southeast on I-80 will take you to your next stop: Pittsburgh, also known as Steel City. 

Famous for its steel production, fine architecture, and 446 bridges, this destination in Pennsylvania offers a plethora of things to do for kids and adults alike. You’ll need at least two days to really savor what the city has in store for you. 

Long gone are the days when the coal industry’s soot and grit defined the city. Today, Pittsburgh is a thriving arts and culture center, and a haven for nature lovers because of its privileged location on a plateau at the point where the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers form a triangle. 

Besides a thriving gastronomical nightlife scene, Pittsburgh is home to marvelous attractions like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden , the Cathedral of Learning, a Gothic Revival skyscraper that towers above the University of Pittsburgh campus at 535 feet tall, and the Andy Warhol Museum . It is also the proud host of the world-renowned Carnegie museum, including the Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Science Center, and the Carnegie Museum of Art.  

If you’re driving from Chicago to New York with the kids, few cities rival Pittsburgh when it comes to keeping them entertained. The Makeshop is an innovative studio where kids’ visions are converted into tangible objects. They’ll be fascinated with the collection of original antique vehicles, as well as the jungle gym and largest collection of items from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

For those yearning for an amusement park, Kennywood is one of the oldest amusement parks in America, with six major roller coasters, water rides, a kiddie park, and classic rides. 

Lancaster, Pennsylvania 

Once you’re ready to leave the Steel City of Pittsburgh behind, you must take I-76 and head 238 east to Lancaster, home to the largest Amish settlement in the US and a great place to stop en route. 

A relatively short stop at this quaint village offers a unique opportunity to experience the vastly different way of life and rich history that traces its roots back to English, Dutch, and German settlers. 

Take the Amish Village tours for a peek at their rolling farmlands and farmhouses, schools, and outbuildings. Be sure to eat some hearty Amish food and shop for crafts made by the settlers who resist modernity and prefer an old-fashioned, simple way of life. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

68 miles from Lancaster, going east on I-76, you’ll find Philadelphia, a stunning city full of historic landmarks and other highlights for the whole family. Again, our recommendation is to try to make it a two-day stop here so as to have enough time to explore the best sites. 

You simply can’t visit Philly without exploring the Historic District. After all, the area between Delaware River, 7th, Vine, and Lombard streets that span the original city boundaries is one of the key points where the US was born! 

You’ll find several historic sites and iconic buildings here, including but not limited to Independence Hall – where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were written  – and President’s House, the home of George Washington and John Adams during the 1700s when Philadelphia was the capital of the United States. 

Other must-see historical landmarks in Philly include the Museum of the American Revolution , Liberty Bells Center, the African American Museum, and the beloved Betsy Ross House. The latter is the picturesque house where Betsy crafted the first American flag, and you can wander through the small rooms and learn about her role in the American Independence. Family treasures include some original furniture, her eyeglasses, and her original Bible. 

Of course, not everything is history in Philadelphia. You can find other attractions, such as the Please-Touch Museum, Adventure Aquarium, Longwood Gardens, and the Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences, all perfect for kids and families. The Franklin Institute, Sesame Place , and the Philadelphia Zoo are marvelous options for the little ones as well. 

Last but certainly not least on your road trip is New York City, which you’ll reach by taking I-95 and traveling northeast for about 95 miles. 

The most populous city on the US East Coast , NYC awaits you with all its hustle and bustle to cap off your road adventure with an exciting grand finale . The Big Apple is home to hundreds of attractions, including historic landmarks, museums, parks, and iconic neighborhoods, so do try to stay for several days if at all possible. 

New York City has many museums related to almost any theme you can imagine. They range from some of the most famous museums in the world that exhibit impressive collections to smaller premises that house small collections geared to all types of travelers, including art aficionados, fans of the quirky, engineers, or Instagrammers on the lookout for cool photo ops. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met), Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), National 9/11 Memorial Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History are a few of the not-to-be-missed iconic attractions, but you’ll find museums dedicated to gangsters, dogs, colors, skyscrapers, and much more. 

When the city bustle gets to be a bit overwhelming, you can “escape” to one of the many parks housed within the city limits. Central Park , of course, is the first one that comes to mind, being the oldest public park in the United States and one of the most iconic parks in the world.

Smaller green lungs in NYC worth checking out are Washington Square Park, the High Line, Battery, and Prospect Park – many of these parks make for great free activities with kids in NYC .

New York City is a tapestry of neighborhoods that fit together to form the marvelous metropolis that is the largest city in the US. We recommend trying to spend some time in some of the most iconic ones to get an ample idea of what the city is about. These include Soho, Greenwich Village, Washington Heights, Chelsea, DUMBO, and the famed Little Italy and Chinatown depicted in many films. 

Ready For a Chicago to New York Road Trip

Although the idea of this 12-hour drive may feel daunting at first, with many historic and scenic stops to make along the way, this is one of the best road trips in the USA for families.

We suggest you allow yourself 10 days to complete the journey, including time spent in both Chicago and New York City, to even touch on the highlights.

• If you are not quite ready for an epic cross-country road trip with the kids yet, you can try one of these easier scenic drives in Illinois or a day trip from Chicago to get you used to hitting the road with littles in tow whilst still exploring beyond the Windy City!
• Another alternative is to take a much larger loop north into Ontario and enjoy the best of upstate New York after tackling this Chicago Niagara Falls road trip .

Before You Go – Things to be Aware of Driving Chicago to New York City

• You will be crossing time zones! Illinois is on CDT (CSDT), where as Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York are on Eastern Standard Time (EST/ESST).
• Especially in inclement weather, make sure you check out road conditions with Illinois Department of Transport before setting off from Chicago.
• You’ll find road condition reports for Pennsylvania at 511pa.com and 511ny.org for New York state.
• Never forget an important road trip item again! Grab our downloadable road trip essentials list before your next family road trip to perfect pack and prepare your vehicle.

© Family Road Trip 2024

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New York City to Chicago drive

New york city to chicago road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from New York City to Chicago. If you're planning a road trip to Chicago, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in New York City drive for about 2.5 hours

12:27 pm   Wilkes Barre stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:27 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

3:46 pm   State College stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:46 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 7.5 hours find more stops

9:00 am  leave from Grove City (Pennsylvania) drive for about 2 hours

10:51 am   Cleveland stay for about 2 hours and leave at 12:51 pm drive for about 2 hours

2:38 pm   Toledo (Ohio) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:38 pm drive for about 2.5 hours

6:11 pm   South Bend stay for about 1 hour and leave at 7:11 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

8:51 pm  arrive in Chicago stay at The James Chicago Hotel

day 2 driving ≈ 8 hours find more stops

New York City to Chicago questions

Where should I stop along the way?

Wilkes Barre   (6 answers)     questions about Wilkes Barre:         What is your favorite restaurant in Wilkes Barre?         What's the best neighborhood in Wilkes Barre for a first time visitor? State College   (3 answers) Grove City (Pennsylvania)   (3 answers) Cleveland   (83 answers)     Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum   (13 mentions)     The Cleveland Museum of Art   (12 mentions)     Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum   (6 mentions)     West Side Market   (6 mentions)     Great Lakes Brewing Company   (5 mentions)     restaurants around Cleveland:         Lola         Lolita         The Greenhouse Tavern         Melt Bar & Grilled         L'Albatros     questions about Cleveland:         What's the best neighborhood in Cleveland for a first time visitor?         Good restaurants for business dinner?         What is your favorite restaurant in Cleveland?         New to the city, friend coming to visit: What should we do?         Fun things to do Toledo (Ohio)   (14 answers)     Toledo Zoo   (2 mentions)     questions about Toledo (Ohio):         Where's a fun place for breakfast in Toledo Ohio? South Bend   (8 answers)

Where's the best place to stay in Chicago?

Are you going straight to a hotel, or looking for a vacation rental or Airbnb?

The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, and hotels is the Trippy page on where to stay in Chicago .

You can also see most people recommend as the best amount of time to visit. Find out how many days in Chicago to stay.

If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out The James Chicago Hotel , which was mentioned 12 times on Trippy.

Here are some more hotels people talk about:

Want to research more popular hotels in Chicago? Click the blue button below.

Where's the best place to eat in Chicago?

Need some recommendations on somewhere to get food?

Trippy members suggest Lou Malnati's Pizzeria , which was mentioned 36 times.

Here are some more restaurants people talk about:

Want to research more popular restaurants in Chicago? Click the blue button below.

What are some things to do in Chicago?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy:

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Chicago. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Chicago.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Chicago to New York City drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from New York City to Chicago . Or get a full New York City to Chicago flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend. Maybe try typing in a faraway location like London, Hong Kong, or Sydney, and get inspired for your dream trip around the world.

And if you know New York City well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about New York City!

More info on this route:

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The best 3 stops on any road trip

NYC to Chicago road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time

• David Whitley
• January 18, 2024

The best road trip stops on the New York City to Chicago drive are Penn’s Cave, Cleveland and South Bend. The distance from NYC to Chicago by car is 794 miles, with a 12 hour driving time.

Planning a New York City to Chicago road trip itinerary

The New York City to Chicago drive connects New York to Illinois , travelling between two of the greatest cities in the US.

Highlights of New York City include the Empire State Building , the 9/11 Memorial Museum , the Museum of Modern Art and the American Museum of Natural History .

For great New York tours , try the boat trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, a night time city lights helicopter flight and a Greenwich village food tour .

More unusual options include catacombs tours , a round-Manhattan architecture cruise and a guided exploration of Grand Central Station’s secrets .

You seriously need to shop around to find affordable New York City accommodation. Start looking for deals here .

Chicago’s skyscrapers, music scene and massive collection of cultural attractions make it arguably the most exciting city in the US to visit.

Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise , a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum , the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower and the Chicago Architecture Center .

Recommended Chicago hotels include the Club Quarters Central Loop for astonishingly good value. Also consider the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile for its amazing, historic pool, and the entertainingly science-themed Hotel EMC2 .

Our favourite thing to do in Chicago

The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.

We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing. 

Book mobile-friendly tickets here .

New York City to Chicago distance and driving time

By car, the distance from New York City to Chicago is 794 miles . That makes for a driving time of around 12 hours. The quickest route is via the I-80 and I-90.

The best stops to add to a New York City to Chicago road trip itinerary are Penn’s Cave, Cleveland and South Bend.

NYC to Chicago road trip attractions: Penn’s Cave

Penn’s Cave in Centre Hall PA makes for an unusual cave tour, as it’s mostly done by boat. After heading down 48 steps to the boat dock, the cruise through the cave system shows off extraordinary stalagmites and stalactites before drifting along an underground lake.

Outside the cave complex, there’s a wildlife park and maze. You can also try your hand at gem panning.

Best stops between New York City and Chicago: Cleveland, Ohio

There are many strong attractions in Cleveland, including the Cleveland History Center . But the big stand out is the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame . It’s an extremely reverent trawl through rock ‘n roll history, looking at the origins and development of the genre. There’s a massive amount of memorabilia, with sections devoted to several Hall of Fame inductees.

The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame is dense, detailed and capable of sucking up the best part of a day.

Alternatively, Cleveland tour options focus on neighbourhood food scenes , the city’s best craft breweries and Downtown’s public art .

New York City to Chicago drive: South Bend, Indiana

South Bend is one of those towns that’s just fun to hang out in. It’s a university city, and the student life gives it the bulk of its energy. Notre Dame University tours take in the campus and key buildings such as the hugely impressive Basilica of Notre Dame.

For car-lovers, however, the key attraction in South Bend is the Studebaker National Museum . Studebaker Cars were made here until 1963. The museum tells their story and has plenty of classics on display.

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More Chicago road trips

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Lafayette IN to Chicago | Lansing MI to Chicago | Chicago to Lexington KY | Chicago to Lincoln NE | Chicago to Little Rock | Louisville to Chicago | Chicago to Madison WI | Chicago to Memphis | Chicago to Milwaukee | Chicago to Minneapolis | Moline IL to Chicago | Chicago to Nashville | Chicago to New Orleans | Chicago to Niagara Falls .

Chicago to Omaha | Chicago to Peoria IL | Chicago to Pigeon Forge | Chicago to Pittsburgh | Chicago to Philadelphia | Chicago to Richmond VA | Rockford IL to Chicago | Chicago to San Antonio | Scranton to Chicago | Chicago to Sheboygan | Chicago to Springfield IL | South Bend to Chicago | St Louis to Chicago | Syracuse to Chicago | Toledo to Chicago | Chicago to Tulsa | Chicago to Washington DC | Chicago to Wichita | Chicago to Wisconsin Dells .