Route guide · 481 miles
Cheap Flights from Chicago to Memphis
MDW → MEM · Nonstop 1h 29m · Live round-trip fares
Looking for cheap flights from Chicago to Memphis? You're in the right place. Airfare Deal tracks live fares on this 481-mile route around the clock. As a rule of thumb, booking 2–4 weeks ahead lands the best prices — and a free fare alert means you never have to keep refreshing the page.
Live fares for MDW → MEM are updating. Use the search below for real-time prices.
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Updated daily
Flight time
1h 29m
Nonstop, typical
Distance
481 mi
MDW → MEM
Book ahead
2–4 weeks
Best window, typically
Nonstop airlines
1
Southwest Airlines
Nonstop flights from Chicago to Memphis
Nonstop flights from Chicago to Memphis are flown by Southwest Airlines. The 481-mile trip takes about 1h 29m gate to gate, and nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead.
Booking insights: Chicago → Memphis
- Distance: 481 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 29m.
- Fares tend to bottom out when you book about 2–4 weeks ahead — earlier than that rarely helps, later usually hurts.
- If your dates flex by a day or two, shifting to a midweek departure is the easiest saving there is.
- A free fare alert beats daily checking: we watch this route and ping you when prices drop.
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Flying from Chicago to Memphis: what you need to know
The flight
At 481 miles, MDW to MEM is one of those quick up-and-down flights: roughly 1h 29m nonstop. There's no meal service to plan around — the decisions that matter here are departure time and which airport entrance traffic is kinder to you.
Airlines on this route
Southwest Airlines flies this route nonstop. That matters more than it sounds: the cheapest fare on one carrier is rarely the same product as the cheapest on another. Checked-bag fees, free seat selection and change rules all differ, so compare the full trip cost before you pick a winner. See our airline guides for exactly what each carrier charges — then send an enquiry and we'll confirm the all-in price for your dates.
Leaving from Chicago (MDW)
Plan to be at the airport two hours before a domestic departure — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times, but security lines are the one variable you can't control. If you're checking a bag, add time rather than cutting it close. Our Chicago airport guide covers terminals, parking and ground transport so you can plan the trip to the airport, not just the flight.
Arriving in Memphis (MEM)
Before you land, know how you're getting from the airport to where you're staying — it's the part of the trip people forget to plan. The Memphis airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check Memphis to Chicago fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.
When to book
For a trip of 481 miles, booking 2–4 weeks ahead typically lands you in the sweet spot. Leave it to the final two weeks and prices usually climb as the cheapest seats sell out. If your dates are flexible, midweek departures are where the lower fares hide on most domestic routes.
Good to know before you go
- Flexible dates? Search a few days either side — one day can change the fare a lot.
- Morning flights are delayed less often than evening ones — earlier departures have the best on-time record.
- Basic economy fares often exclude checked bags and seat selection. Price the whole trip, not the headline fare.
- Get to the airport two hours before departure; security, not the flight, is the part that runs late.
- If you're traveling with only a carry-on, you can skip the bag-drop line entirely with mobile check-in.
Chicago to Memphis flight FAQs
How long is the flight from MDW to MEM?
Plan on about 1h 29m in the air for a nonstop from Chicago to Memphis — the route runs roughly 481 miles. Connecting flights typically add 2–4 hours.
Are there nonstop flights from Chicago to Memphis?
Southwest Airlines typically operate nonstop flights from MDW to MEM. Nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead of departure.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Memphis?
Travelers usually find the gentlest prices away from peak periods — think post-holiday January and the early-fall weeks. Midweek dates inside those windows are cheaper still.
How much are last minute flights from MDW to MEM?
Walking up to this route at the last minute is the expensive way to do it — prices inside 7 days of departure climb fast. The 2–4 weeks booking window is where the value sits.
What is a good round-trip deal from Chicago to Memphis?
A good deal is anything at or below the recent fares shown above. Set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll ping you the moment fares drop.
Which airlines fly from Chicago to Memphis?
You'll mainly see Southwest Airlines on Chicago to Memphis. Checking each against the live fares below is the surest way to find the lowest price for your dates.
How early should I get to Chicago airport for this flight?
Plan on two hours before departure for a domestic flight — ninety minutes can work at smaller airports outside peak times. If you're checking a bag, earlier is better; the bag-drop line, not the flight, is what runs late.
Do the cheapest fares on this route include a checked bag?
Usually not. Basic economy fares on most airlines include a carry-on but charge extra for checked bags, and seat selection can cost more too. Add up the real total before comparing — a slightly higher regular fare sometimes works out cheaper. Our team confirms the full breakdown with you before you pay.
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