Compare: Chicago→Miami (1,917 km) vs Chicago→Seattle (2,789 km). Chicago → Miami wins by 872 km (31%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated May 30, 2026
1,917 km
1,191 miles · Flight: ~2h 54min · Drive: ~31h 9min
✓ Shorter route
2,789 km
1,733 miles · Flight: ~3h 59min · Drive: ~45h 19min
Difference: 872 km (31%) · Flight time difference: ~1h 5min
Verdict
Chicago → Miami is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 872 km (31%) shorter, saves about 1h 5min of flight time, and cuts roughly 222 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Chicago → Seattle only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Chicago → Miami is the shorter route at 1,917 km, which is 872 km (31%) shorter than Chicago → Seattle. You would save approximately 1h 5min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Chicago → Miami | Chicago → Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,917 | 2,789 |
| Distance (miles) | 1,191 | 1,733 |
| Flight time | ~2h 54min | ~3h 59min |
| Driving time | ~31h 9min | ~45h 19min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~2,492 km | ~3,626 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 157° (SSE) | 295° (WNW) |
| Time-zone shift | +1h | -2h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~489 kg | ~711 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~426 kg | ~620 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$249 USD | ~$363 USD |
Flying from Chicago to Miami produces roughly 489 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Chicago → Seattle flight emits about 711 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 222 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 11 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 426 kg and 620 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Chicago to Miami route covers 1,917 km (1,191 miles), staying within North America. Chicago (population: 2,693,976) is located in Midwest, United States, while Miami (population: 467,963) is in South, United States.
The Chicago to Seattle route covers 2,789 km (1,733 miles), remaining within North America. Chicago (population: 2,693,976) is in Midwest, United States, and Seattle (population: 737,015) is in Pacific Northwest, United States.
Flying from Chicago to Miami takes approximately 2h 54min, while Chicago to Seattle takes 3h 59min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 31h 9min for the first route and 45h 19min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Chicago, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Miami and Seattle as a destination.
The 872 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 2,492 km and 3,626 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 1,134 km of driving.
Miami (United States) has a population of 467,963 and is located in the South region of North America. It's a charming destination known for its regional character.
Seattle (United States) has a population of 737,015 and is situated in Pacific Northwest, North America. This destination offers a more intimate travel experience with unique local culture.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Miami (United States) — a city of 467,963 in the South region of North America. It is also the shorter option at 1,917 km, which translates to a 1h 5min flight-time saving and roughly 222 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 2,492 km of road and a fuel cost band around $249 USD. The initial bearing is 157° (SSE), so a great-circle flight leaves Chicago heading roughly SSE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Seattle (United States) — a city of 737,015 in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Even though it is the longer route at 2,789 km, it remains the obvious pick when Seattle is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Chicago are more convenient, or when fares undercut the alternative. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 3,626 km of road and a fuel cost in the $363 USD range. Departing Chicago, the great-circle bearing toward Seattle is 295° (WNW).
Chicago (41.88°, -87.63°) and Miami (25.76°, -80.19°) sit with a time-zone shift of +1 hour. Chicago (41.88°, -87.63°) and Seattle (47.61°, -122.33°) have a -2-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Miami is closer at 1,917 km, which is 872 km (31%) shorter.
1,917 km (1,191 miles). Flight: ~2h 54min.
2,789 km (1,733 miles). Flight: ~3h 59min.
Flying to Miami is faster at ~2h 54min, saving about 1h 5min compared to Seattle.
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.