Louisville to Chicago Flight Distance
Louisville International Standiford Field (SDF) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
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 271 miles, this short-haul flight will take approximately 1h 1m. This is a relatively quick flight where you may not even need entertainment.
Time Adjustment: Chicago is 1 hour behind Louisville. You should experience minimal jet lag.
Environmental Impact: An economy class seat produces approximately 111 kg of CO2. This is relatively low for air travel.
Flight Options: 2 airlines serve this route, giving you options for schedule and price comparison.
Complete Flight Analysis
| Metric | Value | Category / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (Miles) | 271 mi | Primary frequent flyer unit |
| Distance (Kilometers) | 436 km | International standard |
| Distance (Nautical Miles) | 236 nm | Aviation standard |
| Flight Time | 1h 1m | Based on 850 km/h cruise + ground time |
| Route Classification | SHORT HAUL | Short-haul flight (under 1,500 km) |
| Flight Direction | 337° NNW | North-Northwest |
| Cruising Altitude | 25,000 ft | FL250 (7,620 m) |
| Time Difference | -1h | Jet lag: none |
| CO2 (Economy) | 111 kg | DEFRA 2024 factors |
| CO2 (Business) | 322 kg | 2.9x economy |
| CO2 (First Class) | 445 kg | 4x economy |
| Trees to Offset | 11 | Economy class, per passenger |
| Fuel per Passenger | 13 L | ~2,340 L total (180 pax) |
| Operating Airlines | 2 | Direct flights available |
Tips for This Route
Louisville International Standiford Field
Louisville, United States
Chicago Midway International Airport
Chicago, United States
Airlines Flying This Route
2 airlines operate flights between Louisville and Chicago.
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 | 271 mi |
| Kilometers | 436 km |
| Nautical Miles | 236 nm |
| Meters | 436,000 m |
| Feet | 1,430,880 ft |
| Flight Time (850 km/h) | 1h 1m |
| Driving Time (80 km/h avg) | 5 hours |
Travel Speed Comparison
How long would it take to cover the 436 km between Louisville and Chicago at different speeds?
| Mode | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Jet | 850 km/h | 1h 1m |
| Turboprop Aircraft | 500 km/h | 0h 52m |
| Bullet Train | 320 km/h | 1h 22m |
| Car (highway) | 100 km/h | 4h 22m |
| Walking | 5 km/h | 87h (4 days) |
| Speed of Sound | 1,235 km/h | 0h 21m |
Round Trip Summary
Quick Facts
Routes from SDF
View all routesFrequently Asked Questions
How far is Louisville from Chicago?
The flight distance from Louisville International Standiford Field (SDF) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is 271 miles (436 km). This is the great circle distance calculated using the Vincenty formula.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 1m. This is a short-haul flight typically cruising at 25,000 feet (FL250).
What is the time difference?
Chicago is 1 hour behind Louisville.
What airlines fly this route?
2 airlines operate this route: AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines.
What is the carbon footprint?
Economy class: 111 kg CO2 per passenger. Business class: 322 kg. First class: 445 kg. Offset with ~11 trees.
Which seat side is best?
For this North-Northwest flight, the right side offers the best views away from sun glare.
Can I drive from Louisville to Chicago instead of flying?
Driving is a practical alternative at only 436 km. It would take approximately 5 hours at average highway speed. For shorter distances like this, driving can be more convenient when factoring in airport check-in time.
What aircraft typically fly this route?
This short-haul route is typically served by Airbus A320, Boeing 737, Embraer E190 aircraft. These are narrow-body aircraft designed for efficient short-distance travel.
How can I offset the carbon from this flight?
An economy class seat on this route produces 111 kg CO2. You can offset this by planting approximately 11 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.