$97 Find Cheap Flights from California to Chicago - Compare and Save

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 9/30. 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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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

Tue, Aug 18 - Fri, Aug 21
Frontier Logo
9:39 am - 8:15 pm
LAX
-
ORD
8h 36m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
2:41 pm - 8:30 am
ORD
-
LAX
19h 49m
1 stop
$234Frontier
Fri, Aug 7 - Thu, Aug 13
Frontier Logo
6:56 pm - 6:17 am
LAS
-
ORD
9h 21m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
9:57 pm - 7:09 am
ORD
-
LAS
11h 12m
1 stop
$235Frontier
Fri, Aug 14 - Mon, Aug 17
Delta Logo
10:40 pm - 9:17 am
LAX
-
MDW
8h 37m
1 stop
Delta Logo
7:25 pm - 11:53 pm
MDW
-
LAX
6h 28m
1 stop
$235Delta
Fri, Aug 14 - Sat, Aug 22
Delta Logo
9:50 am - 6:19 pm
LAX
-
ORD
6h 29m
1 stop
Delta Logo
1:50 pm - 7:17 pm
ORD
-
LAX
7h 27m
1 stop
$235Delta
Thu, Aug 13 - Thu, Aug 20
Southwest Logo
8:40 pm - 5:40 am
LAX
-
MDW
7h 00m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
5:00 pm - 10:25 pm
MDW
-
LAX
7h 25m
2 stops
$237Southwest
Mon, Aug 24 - Mon, Aug 31
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:16 am - 7:21 pm
LAX
-
ORD
10h 05m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:20 pm - 12:04 am
ORD
-
LAX
4h 44mnonstop
$237Multiple Airlines
Sat, Aug 8 - Sat, Aug 15
Southwest Logo
5:30 pm - 5:00 am
LAX
-
MDW
9h 30m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
10:05 am - 3:55 pm
MDW
-
LAX
7h 50m
2 stops
$238Southwest
Fri, Jul 24 - Fri, Aug 28
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:27 pm - 5:00 am
LAS
-
ORD
8h 33m
1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:11 pm - 10:23 pm
ORD
-
LAS
4h 12mnonstop
$238Multiple Airlines
Wed, Aug 5 - Wed, Aug 12
United Airlines Logo
1:50 pm - 12:59 am
ONT
-
ORD
9h 09m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
8:06 pm - 10:35 pm
ORD
-
ONT
4h 29mnonstop
$284United Airlines
Fri, Aug 7 - Fri, Aug 14
United Airlines Logo
4:00 pm - 12:44 am
SNA
-
ORD
6h 44m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
4:10 pm - 6:51 pm
ORD
-
SNA
4h 41mnonstop
$335United Airlines
Useful Info

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$97
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 6% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 15% increase in price.
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 
Learn how KAYAK collects reviews and tips from users.
CupcakeFlew with Alaska Airlines
SAN
-
ORD
Apr 2026
Please bring a water bottle for hydration during the flight.
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.

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.
First Class flights to Chicagofrom $797
Business Class flights to Chicagofrom $780
Premium Economy Class flights to Chicagofrom $857
Economy Class flights to Chicagofrom $227