Compare: Miami→New York (1,758 km) vs Miami→Chicago (1,917 km). Miami → New York wins by 159 km (8%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 7, 2026
1,758 km
1,092 miles · Flight: ~2h 42min · Drive: ~28h 34min
✓ Shorter route
1,917 km
1,191 miles · Flight: ~2h 54min · Drive: ~31h 9min
Difference: 159 km (8%) · Flight time difference: ~12 min
Verdict
Miami → New York is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 159 km (8%) shorter, saves about 12 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 41 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Miami → Chicago only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Miami → New York is the shorter route at 1,758 km, which is 159 km (8%) shorter than Miami → Chicago. You would save approximately 12 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Miami → New York | Miami → Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,758 | 1,917 |
| Distance (miles) | 1,092 | 1,191 |
| Flight time | ~2h 42min | ~2h 54min |
| Driving time | ~28h 34min | ~31h 9min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~2,285 km | ~2,492 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 17° (NNE) | 341° (NNW) |
| Time-zone shift | None | -1h |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~448 kg | ~489 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~391 kg | ~426 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$229 USD | ~$249 USD |
Flying from Miami to New York produces roughly 448 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Miami → Chicago flight emits about 489 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 41 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 2 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 391 kg and 426 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Miami to New York route covers 1,758 km (1,092 miles), staying within North America. Miami (population: 467,963) is located in South, United States, while New York (population: 8,336,817) is in Northeast, United States.
The Miami to Chicago route covers 1,917 km (1,191 miles), remaining within North America. Miami (population: 467,963) is in South, United States, and Chicago (population: 2,693,976) is in Midwest, United States.
Flying from Miami to New York takes approximately 2h 42min, while Miami to Chicago takes 2h 54min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 28h 34min for the first route and 31h 9min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Miami, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between New York and Chicago as a destination.
The 159 km difference between these routes is relatively modest, so other factors like ticket prices and schedules may matter more.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 2,285 km and 2,492 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 207 km of driving.
New York (United States) has a population of 8,336,817 and is located in the Northeast region of North America. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Chicago (United States) has a population of 2,693,976 and is situated in Midwest, North America. This city serves as an important regional hub with solid connectivity.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching New York (United States) — a city of 8,336,817 in the Northeast region of North America. It is also the shorter option at 1,758 km, which translates to a 12 min flight-time saving and roughly 41 kg less CO₂ per passenger versus the alternative. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 2,285 km of road and a fuel cost band around $229 USD. The initial bearing is 17° (NNE), so a great-circle flight leaves Miami heading roughly NNE.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Chicago (United States) — a city of 2,693,976 in the Midwest region of North America. Even though it is the longer route at 1,917 km, it remains the obvious pick when Chicago is the actual destination, when departure schedules from Miami 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 Miami, the great-circle bearing toward Chicago is 341° (NNW).
Miami (25.76°, -80.19°) and New York (40.71°, -74.01°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Miami (25.76°, -80.19°) and Chicago (41.88°, -87.63°) have a -1-hour offset. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
New York is closer at 1,758 km, which is 159 km (8%) shorter.
1,758 km (1,092 miles). Flight: ~2h 42min.
1,917 km (1,191 miles). Flight: ~2h 54min.
Flying to New York is faster at ~2h 42min, saving about 12 min compared to Chicago.
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: April 7, 2026.