Flight time & jet lag: Seattle to Chicago
Seattle (SEA) → Chicago (ORD) · 2,762 km (1,716 mi) · medium haul · intra north america
The flight from Seattle (SEA) to Chicago (ORD) takes 3h 45m to 4h 22m covering 2,762 km. Chicago is 2 hours ahead of Seattle, making this a light-severity jet lag route traveling east. Full circadian adjustment typically takes 2 days.
- Route:
- Seattle (SEA) → Chicago (ORD)
- Distance:
- 2,762 km (1,716 mi)
- Flight time:
- 3h 45m to 4h 22m gate-to-gate
- Time difference:
- +2 hours
- Jet lag severity:
- light (2 zones crossed)
- Recovery time:
- ~2 days
- Direction:
- eastbound
- Route type:
- medium-haul, intra north america
- Origin timezone:
- America/Los_Angeles
- Destination timezone:
- America/Chicago
Seattle to Chicago: Route overview
This medium-haul route from Seattle (SEA) to Chicago (ORD) covers 2,762 km in approximately 3h 45m to 4h 22m, crossing 2 time zones eastbound. With only a 2-hour time difference, most travelers adjust within a day, though the medium-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 Seattle–Chicago route different
With only 2 hours of time difference, this route sits at the threshold where jet lag is barely noticeable for most travelers. The bigger factor is likely the 3h 45m to 4h 22m flight duration itself and any associated sleep deprivation.
Arrival strategy for Chicago
Arriving in Chicago after a 2-hour eastward shift, your body will think it is 2 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: Seattle → Chicago
When you arrive in Chicago, your circadian rhythm is still running on Seattle time. At 09:00 Chicago time, your body clock reads 07:00 — early morning on your body clock. You will feel groggy but functional, with energy building through the local morning. By 22:00 local time (when you should sleep), your body reads 20:00 — 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 2 days for full alignment.
Your body clock in Chicago (day 1)
How your body clock maps to local time upon arrival, before any adjustment.
| Chicago Time | Your Body Clock (Seattle) | How You Feel | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 | 04:00 | Early wake phase. Groggy, low energy. | Light physical activity helps. Coffee is acceptable if 8+ hours before target bedtime. |
| 09:00 | 07:00 | Morning alertness building. Moderate energy. | Good window for bright light exposure if adjusting eastward. |
| 12:00 | 10:00 | Peak morning alertness on body time. | Productive window. Use this energy for important tasks. |
| 15:00 | 13:00 | Post-lunch dip. Moderate energy. | Brief 20-min nap acceptable if severely fatigued. Avoid long naps. |
| 18:00 | 16:00 | Afternoon alertness on body time. | Good window for light exposure if adjusting westward. |
| 21:00 | 19:00 | Evening wind-down. Melatonin starting to rise. | Dim lights and avoid screens if you need to stay awake longer. |
| 00:00 | 22:00 | 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 | 01:00 | Deep sleep phase. Intense drowsiness likely. | If awake, use bright light to push clock forward. Avoid driving or complex tasks. |
Pre-departure preparation
To prepare for this 2-hour eastward shift to Chicago, begin adjusting 2 days before departure. Each night, move your bedtime 60 minutes earlier and wake correspondingly earlier. Seek bright light immediately upon waking. On departure day, set your watch to Chicago time and begin eating meals on that schedule. This pre-adjustment can reduce your recovery time by 1–2 days.
Your first 72 hours in Chicago
Day 1 in Chicago: Your body is ~2 hours off local time. Get bright sunlight in the morning. Avoid napping past 14:00. Eat at local mealtimes even if not hungry. Caffeine is fine before 14:00, not after. Day 2: ~1 hours off. Continue morning (07:00–10:00) light exposure. Sleep quality should improve. Day 3: ~0 hours off. You should feel mostly adjusted. Return to normal activities.
Recovery timeline
Full circadian adjustment for the Seattle → Chicago route typically takes 2 days, 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 2 days. By day 2, most travelers report feeling fully synchronized with Chicago's schedule.
Route Planner
Adjust departure date for DST-accurate results.
Business hours: Seattle vs Chicago
Seattle and Chicago share 7 overlapping business hours, providing a reasonable window for scheduling calls and meetings. The most productive overlap falls between 09:00 and 15:00 in Seattle (11:00–17:00 in Chicago).
| Seattle | Chicago |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | 11:00 |
| 10:00 | 12:00 |
| 11:00 | 13:00 |
| 12:00 | 14:00 |
| 13:00 | 15:00 |
| 14:00 | 16:00 |
| 15:00 | 17:00 |
- 09:00 Seattle / 11:00 Chicago
- 12:00 Seattle / 14:00 Chicago
Seasonal and climate factors
Flight times between Seattle and Chicago can vary by 15–30 minutes seasonally due to shifting wind patterns along this medium-haul corridor. Chicago at 42°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 Seattle–Chicago flight time is estimated
The 3h 45m to 4h 22m estimate for Seattle to Chicago is derived from the 2,762-km great-circle distance. Medium-haul flights balance cruise and non-cruise phases, achieving effective speeds of 780–850 km/h. An additional 30–50 minutes accounts for taxi, takeoff, climb, descent, approach, and taxi at both SEA and ORD. 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
Prevailing winds along the Seattle–Chicago corridor have a moderate effect on flight time. The general west-to-east flow of upper-level winds at these latitudes provides a slight tailwind advantage.
Practical travel context
This medium-haul route connects Seattle (United States) with Chicago (United States).
Frequently asked questions: Seattle to Chicago
How long is the flight from Seattle to Chicago?
What is the time difference between Seattle and Chicago?
How bad is jet lag flying from Seattle to Chicago?
Can I minimize jet lag on the Seattle to Chicago route?
Is it better to fly during the day or at night from Seattle to Chicago?
How long does jet lag last from Seattle to Chicago?
What about the return flight from Chicago to Seattle?
More questions about this route
Should I adjust my schedule before flying from Seattle to Chicago?
What are the best business hours to schedule meetings between Seattle and Chicago?
How is the Seattle to Chicago flight time calculated?
Assumptions & notes
- Flight time based on Haversine great-circle distance (2,762 km) with speed heuristics.
- Cruise speed: 780–850 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: SEA (America/Los_Angeles) → ORD (America/Chicago)