$58 Cheap Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to Chicago (ORD)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Sacramento to Chicago (SMF-ORD)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $58 for one-way flights and $116 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Delta
Flights from Sacramento (SMF) to Chicago (ORD)
Origin airport
Sacramento Intl.
Destination airport
O'Hare Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$116
Distance
1776 mi
Average flight time
7 hours 8 mins

Sacramento to Chicago Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Sacramento to Chicago

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Sacramento to Chicago are during the month of March. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Sacramento to Chicago with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Sacramento to Chicago

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Sacramento to Chicago: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Sacramento to Chicago

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Sacramento to Chicago in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $58 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Sacramento to Chicago flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Sacramento to Chicago airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fly from Sacramento Airport to O'Hare Airport?
United Airlines has a direct flight departing from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) at 11:54PM and landing at O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) at 5:55AM — a travel time of 4 hours and 1 minute. Book your perfect seat, pack something to keep you amused and enjoy the ride.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to ORD last minute?
When it comes to booking your flights, being prepared pays dividends. While it’s possible to score a deal on a SMF to O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) flight at the last minute, tickets usually don’t get cheaper as the departure date nears. Based on flight pricing and demand studies in 2022, we have found that the sweet spot to book a domestic flight is between 28 – 35 days ahead. For international journeys it’s between three and four months.
What airports do you fly into for Chicago from Sacramento?
With O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD), Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) and Lewis University Airport (LOT) to choose from, connecting from Sacramento to Chicago is easy. The city’s main terminal, O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD), is about 16 mi northwest of the downtown area. Apart from the price of fares, consider things like bus or train options from the airport and the distance to your hotel when deciding where to land. Get your Chicago vacation off to an awesome start by visiting Wrigley Field and Millennium Park.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from SMF to O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD)?
For United Airlines flights jetting from Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) to ORD, the peak period is between 11:00 PM - 0:00 AM. If you want to avoid holdups, head out in the morning. This allows you to dodge the heavy air traffic that builds up around airports in the afternoon.
Can I change the date of my flight from Sacramento Airport to O'Hare Airport?
It’s a piece of cake to make amendments to your SMF to O’Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) trip yourself. Access your itinerary via the Expedia Trips portal and select “change flight.” Search for new flights and lock in the one that fits your new plans. You’ll get an estimate of applicable flight change costs. You can also visit our Customer Service portal to connect with our Virtual Agent and quickly get answers to all your questions.
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