Route guide · 492 miles
Cheap Flights from Memphis to Chicago
MEM → ORD · Nonstop 1h 30m · Live round-trip fares
Looking for cheap flights from Memphis to Chicago? You're in the right place. Airfare Deal tracks live fares on this 492-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 MEM → ORD are updating. Use the search below for real-time prices.
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See live fares
Updated daily
Flight time
1h 30m
Nonstop, typical
Distance
492 mi
MEM → ORD
Book ahead
2–4 weeks
Best window, typically
Nonstop airlines
3
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines & more
Nonstop flights from Memphis to Chicago
The fastest way between the two cities is the nonstop: about 1h 30m for the 492-mile run from MEM to ORD. Those flights are flown by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines. Prices behave best when you book 2–4 weeks out.
Booking insights: Memphis → Chicago
- Distance: 492 miles · nonstop flight time: 1h 30m.
- Cheapest upcoming week in the live data starts around Oct 29, with fares from $160.
- Fares tend to bottom out when you book about 2–4 weeks ahead — earlier than that rarely helps, later usually hurts.
- Midweek departures (Tue–Thu) are consistently cheaper than weekend flights.
- A free fare alert beats daily checking: we watch this route and ping you when prices drop.
Price trend
Cheapest departure weeks ahead
Departing around Oct 29 is currently the cheapest window — about $56 less than the nearest weeks. Based on recent fares found for this route; prices change quickly.
Cheapest month · Memphis → Chicago
October 2026
Every date's recent round-trip fare, at a glance.
Fares from
$160
Cheapest: Thu, Oct 29 — $160 · Priciest: Oct 28 — $216
Get this fare →Recent fares found for specific dates in October 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 Memphis to Chicago: what you need to know
The flight
At 492 miles, MEM to ORD is one of those quick up-and-down flights: roughly 1h 30m 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
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines fly 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 Memphis (MEM)
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 Memphis airport guide covers terminals, parking and ground transport so you can plan the trip to the airport, not just the flight.
Arriving in Chicago (ORD)
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 Chicago airport guide lays out your ground options, from transit and shuttles to rideshares and rental cars. Flying back the other way? Check Chicago to Memphis fares — prices on the return direction often move on a different rhythm.
When to book
For a trip of 492 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
- Download the airline's app before you fly; gate changes and delays show up there first.
- Nonstop time on this route is about 1h 30m — 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.
- Screenshot your fare before you enquire — prices move, and a saved fare helps our team match or beat it.
- Flexible dates? Search a few days either side — one day can change the fare a lot.
Memphis to Chicago flight FAQs
How long is the flight from MEM to ORD?
Plan on about 1h 30m in the air for a nonstop from Memphis to Chicago — the route runs roughly 492 miles. Connecting flights typically add 2–4 hours.
Are there nonstop flights from Memphis to Chicago?
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines typically operate nonstop flights from MEM to ORD. Nonstops are usually cheapest when booked 2–4 weeks ahead of departure.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Memphis to Chicago?
Fares from Memphis to Chicago tend to ease outside the peak summer and holiday rush — the late-summer and early-fall shoulder weeks are usually kinder on the wallet. Set a free Airfare Deal alert and we'll flag the dips for your dates.
How much are last minute flights from MEM to ORD?
Book inside the final week and you'll usually pay a premium on MEM to ORD. Fares booked 2–4 weeks ahead are almost always kinder.
What is a good round-trip deal from Memphis to Chicago?
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 Memphis to Chicago?
You'll mainly see American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines on Memphis to Chicago. 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 Memphis 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.
More cheap flights from Memphis
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