Cheap flights from Chicago to Los Angeles from $122 MDW, ORD, RFD → BUR, LAX, SNA

Found recently, and the cheapest we hold

It is also the cheapest return we hold, of any age.

What have prices looked like?

Over 49 days, 24 Sept to 11 Nov, the cheapest return we saw each day was $146 to $253.

Those were the prices on those days, not today's.

Could nearby dates be cheaper?

No. We hold 3-night return fares on 1 other departure date within 3 days of 9 Dec, and it is not cheaper.

Every date we hold

219 fares on 18 departure dates

Which month looks cheapest?

December 2026 is the cheapest month — from $186.

Found recently, and the cheapest we hold

What have prices looked like?

Over 49 days, 24 Sept to 11 Nov, the cheapest one-way we saw each day was $60 to $152.

Those were the prices on those days, not today's.

Could nearby dates be cheaper?

We hold no other one-way fares leaving within 3 days of 7 Dec to compare.

Every date we hold

126 fares on 13 departure dates

Which month looks cheapest?

December 2026 is the cheapest month — from $116.

Return

Fares 30 to 59 days before departure were typically 43% lower than 0 to 6 days before departure.

From the cheapest return each day between 24 Sept and 11 Nov (49 days), grouped by how many days ahead the flight left; one adult in economy.

Each range covers different departure dates, so this compares typical fares, not the same trip priced twice.

Prices reflect recent searches — current fares may differ.

One-way

Fares 14 to 29 days before departure were typically 62% lower than 7 to 13 days before departure.

From the cheapest one-way each day between 24 Sept and 11 Nov (49 days), grouped by how many days ahead the flight left; one adult in economy.

Each range covers different departure dates, so this compares typical fares, not the same trip priced twice.

Prices reflect recent searches — current fares may differ.

How much is a return flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?

The cheapest return found recently is $186 with Frontier Airlines, 9 Dec to 12 Dec, found yesterday. The cheapest return fare on each of 18 departure dates is usually $265 to $422.

How much is a one-way flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?

The cheapest one-way found recently is $122 with American Airlines, 7 Dec, found 2 days ago. The cheapest one-way we hold, of any age, is $116 with Frontier Airlines, 7 Dec, found 6 days ago. The cheapest one-way fare on each of 13 departure dates is usually $134 to $217.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles?

December 2026 is the cheapest month for a return, from $186, 9 Dec to 12 Dec, found yesterday. It is the cheapest month for a one-way too, from $116, 7 Dec, found 6 days ago.

How far ahead should I book a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?

In 49 days of prices between 24 Sept and 11 Nov, return fares 30 to 59 days before departure were typically 43% lower than 0 to 6 days before departure. One-way fares 14 to 29 days before departure were typically 62% lower than 7 to 13 days before departure.

Is there a direct flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Yes, the cheapest nonstop return found recently is $498 with Frontier Airlines, 20 Nov to 29 Nov, found 2 days ago. The cheapest nonstop one-way found recently is $122 with American Airlines, 7 Dec, found 2 days ago.

Every nonstop date from Chicago to Los Angeles

How long is the flight from Chicago to Los Angeles?

The cheapest nonstop one-way found recently, with American Airlines on 7 Dec, takes 4 h 39 min from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Which airlines have the cheapest flights from Chicago to Los Angeles?

Between 15 Nov and 1 Jul 2027, Frontier Airlines has the cheapest return on 14 of the 18 departure dates we hold, Alaska Airlines on 3 and Southwest Airlines on 1. Between 19 Nov and 13 Oct 2027, Frontier Airlines has the cheapest one-way on 4 of the 13 departure dates we hold, Alaska Airlines on 4 and Southwest Airlines on 3.