The United States of America is a vast and sprawling country.
There are 50 states, all of which have the geographic area and the populations to be countries unto themselves, with even some cities reaching that status.
This makes traveling between states difficult, especially if you live in the Midwest.
For the middling states, literally every other state is either a plane or an incredibly long car journey away.
Considering that the US’ third-largest city of Chicago is sitting slap bang in the middle of the Midwestern states, this is a bit of a problem for any would-be holidaymakers.
This is a bigger issue if you want to holiday in Hawaii, them being in the center of the Pacific Ocean and all.
So, how long is a flight from Chicago to Hawaii? In this article, we seek to allay your airport woes by telling you how long it would take to get to Hawaii.
Flight Time From Chicago To Hawaii
It’s not actually that hard to find out how long the flight will take, as there are plenty of sites online that tell you that information.
The only issue lies in finding one that gives you accurate information.
We’ve found FlightStats to be pretty reliable when it comes to flight times, so using their site, we can see that the average flight time from Chicago to Honolulu is 3 hours and 20 minutes.
That’s a fairly good estimate, considering that flights are likely to vary from those averages depending on factors like weather conditions and airline traffic.
For example, a direct flight may run on schedule but take longer than usual due to bad weather, while a flight via another destination may be delayed because of poor air traffic control.
Now, there’s no way that we could possibly cover every possible trip from Chicago to Hawaii – there are just too many options available – but we’re going to try our best to cover everything else. So, here goes…
Driving from Chicago to Hawaii: It might seem obvious at first glance, but driving to Hawaii isn’t really a viable option for most people.
Not only do you have the ever-present threat of getting lost, but also your drive will be very much affected by road works, weather, and general traffic conditions.
Also, there’s a big old ocean sitting between you and your goal. Unless your car is also a boat, best to try other options.
You’d probably be better off trying something more sensible like flying instead.
Flying from Chicago to Hawaii: If you’re looking for the fastest route to travel from Chicago to Hawaii, then the easiest thing for you to do is simply fly.
Nowadays, thanks to low-cost airlines like JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, flying around the world is becoming easier than ever before.
For example, JetBlue offers cheap fares from Chicago to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas within the continental US, meaning there’s little excuse why you couldn’t hop over to Hawaii in a matter of days.
Best Airplane Route From Chicago To Hawaii
The shortest flight distance from Chicago to Hawaii is via Minneapolis/St Paul / Duluth Airport (MSP) – with a total distance of 1,541 miles (2,434 km).
This means that if you were to take the MSP route, you’ll need to spend less than 2 days to reach your goal.
The longest flight distance from Chicago to Honolulu is via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), which takes about 4 hours and 55 minutes to complete.
This means that taking the ATL route will require you to spend somewhere around 5 days traveling if you’re following the flight path above.
If you’re after the quickest route to travel from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Honolulu International Airport, then you should consider taking a flight originating from Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA).
Both of these airports are located approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes away from Chicago, meaning they’re both well worth considering.
If you want to be sure that you don’t miss any of your favorite shows, then you’ll definitely want to pay attention during your flight.
However, even though today’s airplanes are extremely comfortable, flying does get tiring after a while.
What’s more, turbulence can sometimes make things uncomfortable for passengers, especially during takeoff and landing.
To help you deal with all this, here are some tips and tricks to ensure that you enjoy your flight without having to worry about anything unpleasant happening.
1. Bring Things To Do
When it comes to plane rides, one of the worst things you could possibly do is have no activities for yourself.
A lot of people think that it is okay, because you can just fall asleep, but this can be difficult on noisy, vibrating aircraft.
Not only that, but if you are flying for a long time, the idea of sleeping so long in an uncomfortable position is a little jarring.
Therefore, we advise you to take some activities to pass the time.
Books, cards, video games, Netflix on your phone, anything that you can do either in pairs or on your own. Otherwise, it’ll be a boring flight with only the ocean to see out the window.
2. Drink Plenty Of Water
Drinking enough water is essential when traveling anywhere, but it’s particularly important when you’re flying.
When you’re dehydrated, your body doesn’t function properly, which can cause you to feel tired and sluggish.
In addition, dehydration can also lead to headaches and muscle aches.
To avoid getting sick, try drinking at least two liters of water every day, and drink more if you’re exercising or spending a lot of time outside.
3. Use An Eye Mask
If you’re going to be sleeping during your flight, then you might as well use it to your advantage.
An eye mask will block out light, so you won’t have to squint whenever you close your eyes.
It will also prevent you from waking up when you start dreaming. You can buy them online for much cheaper than what you’d pay in stores.
4. Eat Healthy Snacks
During long flights, it’s easy to become hungry, but you shouldn’t eat junk food. Instead, opt for fruits or vegetables that are packed full of nutrients.
They contain fiber and vitamins that will keep you energized throughout your trip.
Snacks like nuts and granola bars are also great options. Just make sure that you store them securely so that they don’t go stale.
5. Take A Nap
Taking a short nap during your flight isn’t something that everyone enjoys doing. However, napping can actually benefit you because it helps you relax and unwind.
Plus, it gives you a chance to catch up on sleep that you didn’t get during the night before.
The best thing about naps is that they only take 15-20 minutes and provide you with instant relief.
Conclusion
It isn’t easy to get to America’s most isolated state, but considering the tropical beaches and beautiful rolling hills, it is worth the visit.
Especially coming from the cold north of Chicago.
However, there are plenty of ways to get to the islands from the glittering light of the Midwest, it’s all about finding the right one.
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