Compare: Chicago→Atlanta (948 km) vs Chicago→Miami (1,917 km). Chicago → Atlanta wins by 969 km (51%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated May 30, 2026
948 km
589 miles · Flight: ~1h 41min · Drive: ~15h 24min
✓ Shorter route
1,917 km
1,191 miles · Flight: ~2h 54min · Drive: ~31h 9min
Difference: 969 km (51%) · Flight time difference: ~1h 13min
Verdict
Chicago → Atlanta is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 969 km (51%) shorter, saves about 1h 13min of flight time, and cuts roughly 247 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Chicago → Miami only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Chicago → Atlanta is the shorter route at 948 km, which is 969 km (51%) shorter than Chicago → Miami. You would save approximately 1h 13min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Chicago → Atlanta | Chicago → Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 948 | 1,917 |
| Distance (miles) | 589 | 1,191 |
| Flight time | ~1h 41min | ~2h 54min |
| Driving time | ~15h 24min | ~31h 9min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,232 km | ~2,492 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 161° (SSE) | 157° (SSE) |
| Time-zone shift | None | +1h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~242 kg | ~489 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~211 kg | ~426 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$123 USD | ~$249 USD |
Flying from Chicago to Atlanta produces roughly 242 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Chicago → Miami flight emits about 489 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 247 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 12 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 211 kg and 426 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Chicago to Atlanta route covers 948 km (589 miles), staying within North America. Chicago (population: 2,693,976) is located in Midwest, United States, while Atlanta (population: 498,715) is in South, United States.
The Chicago to Miami route covers 1,917 km (1,191 miles), remaining within North America. Chicago (population: 2,693,976) is in Midwest, United States, and Miami (population: 467,963) is in South, United States.
Flying from Chicago to Atlanta takes approximately 1h 41min, while Chicago to Miami takes 2h 54min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 15h 24min for the first route and 31h 9min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Chicago, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Atlanta and Miami as a destination.
The 969 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,232 km and 2,492 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 1,260 km of driving.
Atlanta (United States) has a population of 498,715 and is located in the South region of North America. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Miami (United States) has a population of 467,963 and is situated in South, North America. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Atlanta (United States) — a city of 498,715 in the South region of North America. It is also the shorter option at 948 km, which translates to a 1h 13min flight-time saving and roughly 247 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,232 km of road and a fuel cost band around $123 USD. The initial bearing is 161° (SSE), so a great-circle flight leaves Chicago heading roughly SSE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Miami (United States) — a city of 467,963 in the South region of North America. Even though it is the longer route at 1,917 km, it remains the obvious pick when Miami is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Chicago are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 2,492 km of road and a fuel cost in the $249 USD range. Departing Chicago, the great-circle bearing toward Miami is 157° (SSE).
Chicago (41.88°, -87.63°) and Atlanta (33.75°, -84.39°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Chicago (41.88°, -87.63°) and Miami (25.76°, -80.19°) have a +1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Atlanta is closer at 948 km, which is 969 km (51%) shorter.
948 km (589 miles). Flight: ~1h 41min.
1,917 km (1,191 miles). Flight: ~2h 54min.
Flying to Atlanta is faster at ~1h 41min, saving about 1h 13min compared to Miami.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: May 30, 2026.