Route guide · 251 miles
Cheap Flights from Chicago to St. Louis
MDW → STL · Nonstop 1h 1m · Live round-trip fares
The run from Chicago (MDW) to St. Louis (STL) is 251 miles of sky, and ticket prices on it are anything but steady. One week can cost double the next. Booking about 2–4 weeks in advance — and watching fares with a free Airfare Deal alert — is how regulars on this route keep costs down.
Live fares for MDW → STL are updating. Use the search below for real-time prices.
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Updated daily
Flight time
1h 1m
Nonstop, typical
Distance
251 mi
MDW → STL
Cheapest month
November 2026
Fares from $56
Nonstop airlines
1
Southwest Airlines
Nonstop flights from Chicago to St. Louis
Nonstop service links Chicago and St. Louis directly — flights are flown by Southwest Airlines. Expect roughly 1h 1m in the air. If a nonstop is what you want, don't wait too long: booking 2–4 weeks ahead is when these seats are priced most kindly.
Booking insights: Chicago → St. Louis
- Distance: 251 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 1m.
- Cheapest upcoming week in the live data starts around Nov 5, with fares from $56.
- Of the months we're tracking right now, November 2026 has the lowest fares, starting at $56.
- Rule of thumb for this route: the sweet spot is usually 2–4 weeks before departure.
- If your dates flex by a day or two, shifting to a midweek departure is the easiest saving there is.
- Set a free Airfare Deal alert instead of checking daily — the best fares can sell out in hours.
Price trend
Cheapest departure weeks ahead
Departing around Nov 5 is currently the cheapest window — about $139 less than the nearest weeks. Based on recent fares found for this route; prices change quickly.
Cheapest month · Chicago → St. Louis
November 2026
Every date's recent round-trip fare, at a glance.
Fares from
$56
Cheapest: Sat, Nov 7 — $56
Get this fare →Recent fares found for specific dates in November 2026. Blank days had no recent fare in our data — ask our team and we'll check them for you.
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Flying from Chicago to St. Louis: what you need to know
The flight
Chicago to St. Louis is a short hop — 251 miles, about 1h 1m gate to gate on a nonstop. You'll spend almost as long taxiing and boarding as you will in the air, so the real time-saver on this route is picking flight times that dodge rush hour at both ends.
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 St. Louis (STL)
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 St. Louis airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check St. Louis to Chicago fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.
When to book
Of the months we're currently tracking, November 2026 is coming in cheapest for this route, with fares from $56. As a rule, booking 2–4 weeks ahead lands you in the sweet spot — leave it to the final two weeks and prices usually climb. If you see a fare that works, don't wait around: set a fare alert on this page and we'll watch the price for you.
Good to know before you go
- 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.
- Download the airline's app before you fly; gate changes and delays show up there first.
- Nonstop time on this route is about 1h 1m — a one-stop itinerary needs to be a lot cheaper to be worth the extra hours.
- Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically the cheapest days on domestic routes.
Chicago to St. Louis flight FAQs
How long is the flight from MDW to STL?
Nonstop flights from Chicago to St. Louis take about 1h 1m and cover roughly 251 miles. One-stop itineraries add 2–4 hours depending on the layover city.
Are there nonstop flights from Chicago to St. Louis?
Yes — look for Southwest Airlines on this route. Nonstop seats are usually priced best 2–4 weeks before departure.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to St. Louis?
Of the months we're tracking right now, November 2026 has the lowest fares from Chicago to St. Louis, starting at $56. Fares update as new data comes in, so it's worth setting a free alert for your dates.
How much are last minute flights from MDW to STL?
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 St. Louis?
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 St. Louis?
The main carriers on this route are Southwest Airlines. Comparing all of them on the live search below usually surfaces the lowest fare 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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