Compare: New York→Toronto (550 km) vs New York→Chicago (1,144 km). New York → Toronto wins by 594 km (52%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 7, 2026
550 km
342 miles · Flight: ~1h 11min · Drive: ~8h 56min
✓ Shorter route
1,144 km
711 miles · Flight: ~1h 56min · Drive: ~18h 35min
Difference: 594 km (52%) · Flight time difference: ~45 min
New York → Toronto is the shorter route at 550 km, which is 594 km (52%) shorter than New York → Chicago. You would save approximately 45 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | New York → Toronto | New York → Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 550 | 1,144 |
| Distance (miles) | 342 | 711 |
| Flight time | ~1h 11min | ~1h 56min |
| Driving time | ~8h 56min | ~18h 35min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~715 km | ~1,487 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
The New York to Toronto route covers 550 km (342 miles), staying within North America. New York (population: 8,336,817) is located in Northeast, United States, while Toronto (population: 2,731,571) is in Ontario, Canada.
The New York to Chicago route covers 1,144 km (711 miles), remaining within North America. New York (population: 8,336,817) is in Northeast, United States, and Chicago (population: 2,693,976) is in Midwest, United States.
Flying from New York to Toronto takes approximately 1h 11min, while New York to Chicago takes 1h 56min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 8h 56min for the first route and 18h 35min for the second.
Since both routes depart from New York, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Toronto and Chicago as a destination.
The 594 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 715 km and 1,487 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 772 km of driving.
Toronto (Canada) has a population of 2,731,571 and is located in the Ontario region of North America. It's a significant city with good transport links and cultural offerings.
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 New York → Toronto if minimizing travel distance and flight time is your priority. The 594 km difference means a significant saving in fuel, time, and potentially cost. Choose New York → Chicago if the destination itself is more important than the journey length.
Toronto is closer at 550 km, which is 594 km (52%) shorter.
550 km (342 miles). Flight: ~1h 11min.
1,144 km (711 miles). Flight: ~1h 56min.
Flying to Toronto is faster at ~1h 11min, saving about 45 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.