Chicago to Tucson Flight Distance
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Primary sources · 6
- [1] Vincenty (1975) — Direct and Inverse Solutions of Geodesics on the Ellipsoid — the iterative formula used for distance · Survey Review XXIII (176), pp. 88–93 · April 1975 https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/PUBS_LIB/inverse.pdf
- [2] NGA.STND.0036_1.0.0_WGS84 — WGS-84 reference ellipsoid (a = 6,378,137 m, 1/f = 298.257223563) · NGA Standard · July 2014 https://earth-info.nga.mil/index.php?dir=wgs84&action=wgs84
- [3] DESNZ 2024 conversion factors — Per-km kg CO₂e factors for the three distance bands and four cabin classes · UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero · June 2024 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2024
- [4] Lee et al. (2021) — Effective radiative forcing of aviation — the science behind the 1.9 × CO₂ → CO₂e uplift · Atmospheric Environment 244, 117834 · January 2021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.117834
- [5] OpenFlights — Airport coordinates and IATA codes · openflights.org/data.php · Community-maintained https://openflights.org/data.php
- [6] Sack (2010) — Jet-lag review — clinical chronobiology and asymmetric recovery rates · New England Journal of Medicine 362:440 · February 2010 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp0909838
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Your Route Summary
What This Means For Your Trip
Flight Duration: At 1,437 miles, this medium-haul flight will take approximately 3h 23m. Consider bringing a book or downloading entertainment for the journey.
Time Adjustment: Tucson is 2 hours behind Chicago. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 361 kg of CO2. Consider carbon offset programs if environmental impact is a concern.
Flight Options: 2 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 1,437 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 2,313 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 1,249 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 3h 23m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | MEDIUM HAUL | Medium-haul flight (1,500 - 4,000 km) |
| Flight Direction | 249° WSW | West-Southwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 37,000 ft | FL370 (11,278 m) |
| Time Difference | -2h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 361 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 1046 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 1443 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 33 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 69 L | ~12,420 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 2 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Chicago, United States
Tucson International Airport
Tucson, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
2 airlines operate flights between Chicago and Tucson.
Flight Details
Flight Midpoint
The geographic midpoint of this flight is located at:
Carbon Emissions by Cabin Class
CO2 emissions vary by cabin class due to seat space allocation. Based on DEFRA 2024 emission factors.
Jet Lag & Travel Tips
- Minimal time difference - jet lag unlikely
Seat Recommendations
Distance in Perspective
Distance & Speed Reference
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Statute Miles | 1,437 mi |
| Kilometers | 2,313 km |
| Nautical Miles | 1,249 nm |
| Meters | 2,313,000 m |
| Feet | 7,587,360 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 3h 23m |
| Driving Time (80 km/h avg) | 4 days (29 hours) |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 2,313 km between Chicago and Tucson at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 3h 23m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 4h 38m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 7h 14m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 23h 8m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 463h (19 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 1h 52m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from ORD
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Chicago from Tucson?
The flight distance from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tucson International Airport (TUS) is 1,437 miles (2,313 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 3h 23m. This is a medium-haul flight typically cruising at 37,000 feet (FL370).
What is the time difference?
Tucson is 2 hours behind Chicago.
What airlines fly this route?
2 airlines operate this route: American Airlines, US Airways.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 361 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 1046 kg. First class: 1443 kg. Offset with ~33 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this West-Southwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Chicago to Tucson instead of flying?
While driving is technically possible at 2,313 km, it would take approximately 29 hours of non-stop driving. Flying saves you significant time, reducing travel to just 3h 23m.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This medium-haul route is typically served by Airbus A321, Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo aircraft. A mix of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft may operate this route depending on demand.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 361 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 33 trees, purchasing verified carbon credits through programs like Gold Standard or Verra, or supporting renewable energy projects. Many airlines also offer built-in carbon offset options during booking.
External Resources & References
Learn more about the airports, aviation data, and carbon emissions methodology used in this calculation.