Chicago to Wichita road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Chicago to Wichita drive are Springfield IL, Hannibal MO and Kansas City. The distance from Chicago to Wichita by car is 707 miles, with a 10h18m driving time.
Planning a Chicago to Wichita road trip itinerary
The Chicago to Wichita drive connects the biggest cities in Illinois and Kansas.
Chicago’s skyscrapers, music scene and massive collection of cultural attractions make it arguably the most exciting city in the US to visit.
Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum, the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower and the Chicago Architecture Center.
Recommended Chicago hotels include the Club Quarters Central Loop for astonishingly good value. Also consider the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile for its amazing, historic pool, and the entertainingly science-themed Hotel EMC2.
Our favourite thing to do in Chicago
The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.
We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing.
Good things to do in Wichita include the Museum of World Treasures, the Exploration Place Science Museum and the Great Plains Transportation Museum.
Of these, the Museum of World Treasures is the most gloriously eclectic. It flits from Ancient Egypt to World War II via shrunken heads and dinosaurs.
Track down Wichita accommodation deals here.
Chicago to Wichita distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Chicago to Wichita is 707 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 10 hours and 18 minutes. The quickest route is usually via the I-75, I-72, US-36, I-35, I-70 and I-335.
The best stops to add to a Chicago to Wichita road trip itinerary are Springfield IL, Hannibal MO and Kansas City.
If you want more suggestions, check out the guides to the Chicago to Springfield IL drive and Kansas City to Wichita drive.
Best stops between Chicago and Wichita: Springfield IL
The capital of Illinois is more than a little obsessed with Abraham Lincoln. Springfield plays host to Lincoln’s former law offices and home, and his tomb is in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The centrepiece attraction of Springfield, however, is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. It’s expensively assembled, enormous, reverent and utterly riveting if you’ve got even the slightest interest in Lincoln and the American Civil War.
Chicago to Wichita road trip attractions: Hannibal MO
Hannibal MO is on the Mississippi River, and it is more than a little obsessed with Mark Twain. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum is where the author used to live, while the Mark Twain Caves Complex featured in the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. You can also go for a cruise along the Mississippi River in the Mark Twain Riverboat.
Things to do on the Chicago to Wichita drive: Kansas City
Technically two cities spread over two different states, Kansas City has a rich cultural heritage. The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and American Jazz Museum show this off. Other top attractions include the National World I Memorial and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Good experiences in Kansas City include an indulgent food tour of the city’s best BBQ joints, Segway tours, the Sealife Aquarium and wine-tasting trips.
Memorable Kansas City accommodation includes the colonial-style Truitt Hotel and the stylish, art-filled 21C Museum Hotel.
More Chicago road trips
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More Wichita road trips
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