Flight time & jet lag: Chicago to Newark
Chicago (ORD) → Newark (EWR) · 1,155 km (718 mi) · short haul · intra north america
The flight from Chicago (ORD) to Newark (EWR) takes 2h 02m to 2h 37m covering 1,155 km. Newark is 1 hour ahead of Chicago, making this a light-severity jet lag route traveling east. Full circadian adjustment typically takes 1 day.
- Route:
- Chicago (ORD) → Newark (EWR)
- Distance:
- 1,155 km (718 mi)
- Flight time:
- 2h 02m to 2h 37m gate-to-gate
- Time difference:
- +1 hours
- Jet lag severity:
- light (1 zone crossed)
- Recovery time:
- ~1 day
- Direction:
- eastbound
- Route type:
- short-haul, intra north america
- Origin timezone:
- America/Chicago
- Destination timezone:
- America/New_York
Chicago to Newark: Route overview
This short-haul route from Chicago (ORD) to Newark (EWR) covers 1,155 km in approximately 2h 02m to 2h 37m, crossing 1 time zone eastbound. With only a 1-hour time difference, most travelers adjust within a day, though the short-haul journey may still cause travel fatigue. Both cities sit at similar temperate latitudes, meaning daylight patterns will feel familiar upon arrival — a helpful factor for circadian adjustment.
What makes the Chicago–Newark route different
With only 1 hour of time difference, this route sits at the threshold where jet lag is barely noticeable for most travelers. The bigger factor is likely the 2h 02m to 2h 37m flight duration itself and any associated sleep deprivation.
Arrival strategy for Newark
Arriving in Newark after a 1-hour eastward shift, your body will think it is 1 hours earlier than the local clock shows. If you arrive in the morning, push through fatigue and get outside in bright daylight. If you arrive in the evening, eat a light meal and go to bed at the local time — you may wake early, but resist getting up until at least 05:00.
Circadian rhythm analysis: Chicago → Newark
When you arrive in Newark, your circadian rhythm is still running on Chicago time. At 09:00 Newark time, your body clock reads 08:00 — already a reasonable waking hour. The disruption is moderate, and you should be able to function with some effort. By 22:00 local time (when you should sleep), your body reads 21:00 — approaching your natural evening. Sleep onset should be achievable with proper wind-down routine. Your circadian system adjusts at roughly 1 hour per day, so expect 1 day for full alignment.
Your body clock in Newark (day 1)
How your body clock maps to local time upon arrival, before any adjustment.
| Newark Time | Your Body Clock (Chicago) | How You Feel | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 05:00 | Early wake phase. Groggy, low energy. | Light physical activity helps. Coffee is acceptable if 8+ hours before target bedtime. |
| 09:00 | 08:00 | Morning alertness building. Moderate energy. | Good window for bright light exposure if adjusting eastward. |
| 12:00 | 11:00 | Peak morning alertness on body time. | Productive window. Use this energy for important tasks. |
| 15:00 | 14:00 | Post-lunch dip. Moderate energy. | Brief 20-min nap acceptable if severely fatigued. Avoid long naps. |
| 18:00 | 17:00 | Afternoon alertness on body time. | Good window for light exposure if adjusting westward. |
| 21:00 | 20:00 | Evening wind-down. Melatonin starting to rise. | Dim lights and avoid screens if you need to stay awake longer. |
| 00:00 | 23:00 | Natural sleep window on body time. | Ideal time to sleep if it aligns with local night. If not, use bright light to delay. |
| 03:00 | 02:00 | Deep sleep phase. Intense drowsiness likely. | If awake, use bright light to push clock forward. Avoid driving or complex tasks. |
Pre-departure preparation
With minimal time zone change, no pre-departure sleep adjustment is necessary for this Chicago to Newark route. Focus instead on arriving well-rested: maintain your normal sleep schedule in the days before travel, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol on the flight.
Your first 72 hours in Newark
Day 1: Arrive in Newark and follow local time immediately. Eat meals at normal local hours and get outside in daylight. Day 2: You should feel fully adjusted. Resume normal activities. Day 3: No residual effects expected.
Recovery timeline
Full circadian adjustment for the Chicago → Newark route typically takes 1 day, based on the body's natural adaptation rate of ~1 hour per day for eastbound travel. During this period, expect gradually improving sleep quality, with the most noticeable symptoms (fatigue, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes) during the first 1 days. By day 1, most travelers report feeling fully synchronized with Newark's schedule.
Route Planner
Adjust departure date for DST-accurate results.
Business hours: Chicago vs Newark
Chicago and Newark share 8 overlapping business hours, providing a reasonable window for scheduling calls and meetings. The most productive overlap falls between 09:00 and 16:00 in Chicago (10:00–17:00 in Newark).
| Chicago | Newark |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | 10:00 |
| 10:00 | 11:00 |
| 11:00 | 12:00 |
| 12:00 | 13:00 |
| 13:00 | 14:00 |
| 14:00 | 15:00 |
| 15:00 | 16:00 |
| 16:00 | 17:00 |
- 09:00 Chicago / 10:00 Newark
- 13:00 Chicago / 14:00 Newark
Seasonal and climate factors
Short-haul flight times on this short-haul route are less affected by seasonal wind patterns, though winter weather can cause delays at both Chicago and Newark airports. Newark at 41°N experiences moderate seasonal daylight variation. Summer offers longer evenings useful for westward adjustment, while winter's earlier sunsets support eastward adjustment schedules.
How the Chicago–Newark flight time is estimated
The 2h 02m to 2h 37m estimate for Chicago to Newark is derived from the 1,155-km great-circle distance. As a short-haul route, a larger proportion of flight time is spent climbing and descending rather than at optimal cruise altitude, resulting in a lower effective speed of 650–750 km/h. An additional 30–50 minutes accounts for taxi, takeoff, climb, descent, approach, and taxi at both ORD and EWR. Actual routing through controlled airspace may add 3–8% distance beyond the great-circle path due to air traffic corridors and restricted zones along the way.
Wind patterns and flight duration
On this short 1,155-km route, wind effects are relatively minor compared to the fixed overhead of taxi, takeoff, and landing. The main variable in flight time is airport congestion and weather at ORD and EWR.
Practical travel context
This short-haul route connects Chicago (United States) with Newark (United States).
Frequently asked questions: Chicago to Newark
How long is the flight from Chicago to Newark?
What is the time difference between Chicago and Newark?
How bad is jet lag flying from Chicago to Newark?
Can I minimize jet lag on the Chicago to Newark route?
Is it better to fly during the day or at night from Chicago to Newark?
How long does jet lag last from Chicago to Newark?
What about the return flight from Newark to Chicago?
More questions about this route
Should I adjust my schedule before flying from Chicago to Newark?
What are the best business hours to schedule meetings between Chicago and Newark?
How is the Chicago to Newark flight time calculated?
Assumptions & notes
- Flight time based on Haversine great-circle distance (1,155 km) with speed heuristics.
- Cruise speed: 650–750 km/h + 30–50 min ground/air overhead.
- Time difference is approximate and may shift during DST transitions.
- Jet lag plan is general wellness guidance, not medical advice.
- Route: ORD (America/Chicago) → EWR (America/New_York)