$66 Find Cheap Flights from California to Chicago

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to Chicago departing on 3/17. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$131
Overall average: $257
Frontier
Mon 3/16Tue 3/24
LAS - ORD • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$66
Typical prices: $163-$259
Frontier
Tue 3/17
ONT - ORD • 1 stop
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Flight Deals
Useful Info
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from California to Chicago

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from California to Chicago that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from California to Chicago

Mon, Mar 16 - Tue, Mar 24
Frontier Logo
12:25 am - 6:08 am
LAS
-
ORD
3h 43mnonstop
Frontier Logo
8:55 pm - 11:15 pm
ORD
-
LAS
4h 20mnonstop
$131Frontier
Thu, Feb 12 - Mon, Feb 23
Frontier Logo
3:11 pm - 9:03 pm
LAS
-
ORD
3h 52mnonstop
Frontier Logo
7:19 pm - 9:42 pm
ORD
-
LAS
4h 23mnonstop
$133Frontier
Mon, Mar 9 - Tue, Mar 31
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:25 am - 6:08 am
LAS
-
ORD
3h 43mnonstop
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:45 am - 11:09 pm
ORD
-
LAS
15h 24m
1 stop
$135Multiple Airlines
Wed, Apr 29 - Sun, May 3
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:59 am - 6:47 am
LAS
-
ORD
3h 48mnonstop
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:53 pm - 10:54 pm
ORD
-
LAS
4h 01mnonstop
$140Multiple Airlines
Wed, Mar 4 - Wed, Mar 18
Alaska Airlines Logo
8:35 am - 2:58 pm
SAN
-
ORD
4h 23mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
4:10 pm - 6:55 pm
ORD
-
SAN
4h 45mnonstop
$157Alaska Airlines
Thu, Apr 9 - Sat, Apr 18
American Airlines Logo
3:07 pm - 9:28 pm
SAN
-
ORD
4h 21mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:45 pm - 11:16 pm
ORD
-
SAN
4h 31mnonstop
$165American Airlines
Wed, Apr 22 - Sun, Apr 26
United Airlines Logo
2:05 pm - 8:17 pm
SAN
-
ORD
4h 12mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
7:00 am - 9:40 am
ORD
-
SAN
4h 40mnonstop
$167United Airlines
Fri, May 15 - Wed, May 20
American Airlines Logo
3:07 pm - 9:28 pm
SAN
-
ORD
4h 21mnonstop
American Airlines Logo
8:45 pm - 11:16 pm
ORD
-
SAN
4h 31mnonstop
$168American Airlines
Tue, May 12 - Tue, May 19
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:21 am - 7:03 pm
SJC
-
ORD
6h 42m
1 stop
Alaska Airlines Logo
3:43 pm - 11:37 pm
ORD
-
SJC
9h 54m
1 stop
$223Alaska Airlines
Tue, Mar 3 - Mon, Mar 9
United Airlines Logo
5:03 pm - 11:26 pm
SFO
-
ORD
4h 23mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
6:17 am - 9:22 am
ORD
-
SFO
5h 05mnonstop
$250United Airlines
Useful Info

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$66
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 13% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
Flight from Ontario to Chicago O'Hare Airport

Flights from California to Chicago: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from California to Chicago 
StephenFlew with United Airlines
SMF
-
ORD
Jan 2026
If you're trying to make a connecting flight make sure you allow PLENTY of time between flights or be prepared to miss the next flight. Make sure to use the restroom at the last possible moment before landing because you could be sitting on the taxiway for 5 more minutes... 5 more minutes... 5 more minutes... until it's been nearly 2 hours. Don't trust the airline provided ETA provided by apps they don't update it until long after you're delayed. If someone is showing up to give you a ride, make sure they have hours to wait for you.
RodFlew with United Airlines
SAN
-
ORD
Sep 2024
Yes! Don’t reserve a flight with less than 1 1/2 hour connection time or you have a good possibility of missing your connection.
FrancisFlew with United Airlines
LAX
-
ORD
Sep 2024
Check the weather, or bring a. Raincoat! Being from sunny California, I forget it isn’t always sunshine in other states!
GeraldFlew with Alaska Airlines
SFO
-
ORD
Oct 2024
Book a flight as early in the day as possible to avoid incoming flight delays.
KimFlew with American Airlines
SNA
-
ORD
Nov 2024
Bring extra foods and buy extra drinks bring your meds
ShirleyFlew with United Airlines
LAX
-
ORD
May 2024
Check-in using the United AirLines app to access your boarding pass. Arrive at least two hours early at LAX airport.

FAQs for booking flights from California to Chicago

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from California to Chicago?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from California to Chicago.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from California to Chicago?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Chicago from California is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from California to Chicago?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Chicago with an airline and back to California with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from California to Chicago?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Chicago from California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Traveling to a place near Chicago?

Book flights to Chicago if you plan to visit one of these locations
Merrillville
Saint Joseph
Hammond
Portage
Lansing
Valparaiso
Chesterton
Schererville
Munster
Porter
Monticello
Griffith
Saint John

Everything you need to know for your flight to Chicago

Cabin class types available on flights to California

Cabin classes available on flights to Chicago. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability is not guaranteed.