$74 Cheap Flights from Washington (DCA) to Chicago (ORD)

View $74 flight on Thu, Feb 19, 2026Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)

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Cheap Flights from Washington to Chicago (DCA-ORD)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $74 for one-way flights and $173 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Thu, Feb 19 - Thu, Feb 26
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$173 Roundtrip, found 13 hours ago
$173
Roundtrip
found 13 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Feb 19 from Washington to Chicago, returning Thu, Feb 26, priced at $173 found 13 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Feb 19 - Thu, Mar 5
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$173 Roundtrip, found 19 hours ago
$173
Roundtrip
found 19 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Feb 19 from Washington to Chicago, returning Thu, Mar 5, priced at $173 found 19 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Feb 19 - Thu, Feb 26
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$178 Roundtrip, found 13 hours ago
$178
Roundtrip
found 13 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Feb 19 from Washington to Chicago, returning Thu, Feb 26, priced at $178 found 13 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Tue, Apr 7 - Mon, Apr 13
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$180 Roundtrip, found 10 hours ago
$180
Roundtrip
found 10 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Tue, Apr 7 from Washington to Chicago, returning Mon, Apr 13, priced at $180 found 10 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Feb 19 - Thu, Mar 12
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$183 Roundtrip, found 18 hours ago
$183
Roundtrip
found 18 hours ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Feb 19 from Washington to Chicago, returning Thu, Mar 12, priced at $183 found 18 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Thu, Feb 19 - Tue, Mar 3
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$184 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$184
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Thu, Feb 19 from Washington to Chicago, returning Tue, Mar 3, priced at $184 found 1 day ago
Southwest Airlines
Wed, Apr 15 - Thu, Apr 23
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$189 Roundtrip, found 13 hours ago
$189
Roundtrip
found 13 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Wed, Apr 15 from Washington to Chicago, returning Thu, Apr 23, priced at $189 found 13 hours ago
American Airlines
Wed, Apr 29 - Mon, May 4
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$194 Roundtrip, found 11 hours ago
$194
Roundtrip
found 11 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Wed, Apr 29 from Washington to Chicago, returning Mon, May 4, priced at $194 found 11 hours ago
JetBlue Airways
Mon, Mar 16 - Wed, Mar 18
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$197 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$197
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select JetBlue Airways flight, departing Mon, Mar 16 from Washington to Chicago, returning Wed, Mar 18, priced at $197 found 2 hours ago
United
Tue, Mar 3 - Wed, Mar 11
DCA
Washington
ORD
Chicago
$197 Roundtrip, just found
$197
Roundtrip
just found
Select United flight, departing Tue, Mar 3 from Washington to Chicago, returning Wed, Mar 11, priced at $197 just found

Find the cheapest month to fly from Washington (DCA) to Chicago (ORD)

October is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $117 - $210 per traveler.

Alternative airports near Chicago

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Midway Intl. MDW. Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 16 minutes. Flights from $443
MDW
Midway Intl.
Closest
Average driving time to city center16 min
Flights from $443
Flights from Washington (DCA) to Chicago (ORD)
Origin airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Destination airport
O'Hare Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$172
Distance
610 mi
Average flight time
1 hour 17 mins

Washington to Chicago Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Washington to Chicago

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Washington to Chicago are during the month of February. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Washington to Chicago with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Washington to Chicago

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Washington to Chicago: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Washington to Chicago

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Washington to Chicago in 2026. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $74 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Washington to Chicago flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Washington to Chicago airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) cost?
Snag a cheap one-way flight from $74 or cheap return flight from $173 from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Planning your getaway for February is a great way to save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between DCA and ORD. You'll usually find the lowest fares during off-peak months.
Which airlines fly direct from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Jump on a nonstop flight with United Airlines and journey straight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD).
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
American Airlines and United Airlines are some well-known airlines offering competitive fares. Don't forget that flight prices from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) can change depending on the time of year, demand and how early you book. With Expedia's filter tool, you can easily find a DCA to ORD flight that fits your preferences and budget.
How many flights per day from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Each day, an average of 18 nonstop flights take off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD). Choose the departure date that best suits your plans.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
More people fly between DCA and ORD at 6 AM than at any other point in the day. Looking to skip the crowds? Pick a flight outside the busiest times and there's a chance you'll save on your fare as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from DCA to ORD?
Depart on a Friday if you're looking for the best selection of flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD).
What is the earliest flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)'s earliest flight to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) is at approximately 6:00AM UTC-5. With a total journey time of 2h 24m, you'll land at around 7:24AM UTC-6.
How long does it take to fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
The average flight duration from DCA to ORD is 2 hours and 21 minutes, covering a distance of 610 mi.
What airline has the least delays from DCA to ORD?
Alaska Airlines has the strongest track record for on-time direct flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD), with an on-time rating of 92%. Use the Expedia App to check your journey status before you go and get real-time alerts about any trip changes.
What is the best time to fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
To land at O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) without delays, book a flight that leaves from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Chicago from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
If you're traveling on a direct flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Chicago, you'll touch down at either O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) or Midway Intl. Airport (MDW).
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) last-minute?
Holding off until just before your departure to book your flight from DCA to ORD often results in higher prices. While you might find some last-minute discounts, they aren't always guaranteed. Allow some flexibility in your schedule for a better chance of getting a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a DCA to ORD flight and hotel package?
Securing a DCA to ORD flight and hotel package is typically cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels in one place. Pick from our wide range of stays and then add activities, car rentals and flights to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
If you booked your DCA to ORD flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you have, additional charges may apply for changes after that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, visit our Customer Service portal for more details.

*Flight schedules are subject to change.

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