Seattle To Chicago Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from Seattle to Chicago is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 2,064 miles of road trip from Seattle to Chicago takes around one day and 6 hours of driving without stops.

This article includes 18 top tips that turn your Chicago trip into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago, take your coffee and keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Way From Seattle To Chicago

On the way from Seattle to Chicago, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top six hotels on the Seattle – Chicago route!

1. Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square: Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago. Driving from Seattle to Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square might take around 5 mins. This beautiful hotel has excellent service, design, and fantastic hotel rooms. They have a complimentary breakfast every day and an evening reception with free drinks. The staff was friendly and very accommodating. Our room was clean and had the best view of our cruise ship coming into port! Check the Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square, one of the best hotels in Seattle, Washington, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Best Western Plus Grant Creek Inn: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Chicago from Seattle is Best Western Plus Grant Creek Inn. Located in Missoula, Montana, the hotel is 472 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 7 hours and 11 mins to drive. The accommodations were spacious and had a lovely lobby. The breakfast was excellent, with many different options for entrees. The location was good, and the selection of hot breakfast items was excellent. There were even facilities for steam baths and saunas, which added an extra luxury to the stay. If you want to learn more about the Best Western Plus Grant Creek Inn, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Boothill Inn & Suites: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Boothill Inn & Suites. Boothill Inn & Suites is located in Billings, Montana, and it’s 823 miles away from Seattle. You can arrive there in 12 hours 10 mins of non-stop driving. The hotel was clean and comfortable. The room was large, and the bed was comfortable. We heard very little noise. The location was close to the airport, and many restaurants and stores were nearby. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. The breakfast area was clean and well stocked. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Boothill Inn & Suites for more information.
4. Spearfish Canyon Lodge: If you are taking the road trip from Seattle to Chicago, Spearfish, South Dakota, is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Spearfish Canyon Lodge is one of the best hotels in town. It is Spearfish Canyon Lodge, 1,106 miles from Seattle, and it would take 16 hours and 46 mins to drive. The lodge is located in a beautiful valley, steps away from spearfish creek. Many trails lead up to the property, and the staff is excellent and accommodating. The food in the restaurant nearby was ok, but they also rented fishing gear and UTVs for the day. The internet was surprisingly fast here! If you need more info about the price and availability of Spearfish Canyon Lodge, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. AmericInn by Wyndham Belle Fourche: Our next hotel is AmericInn by Wyndham Belle Fourche, Kadoka, South Dakota. It will take 16 hours, and 8 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Seattle. The staff at this hotel are very friendly and welcoming, and they have a wide variety of activities and games available for guests to enjoy. The room is clean and comfortable, with plenty of space to relax. Breakfast is also excellent, with lots of options available to choose from. Check the AmericInn by Wyndham Belle Fourche on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of AmericInn by Wyndham Belle Fourche for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Aspen Suites Rochester: Aspen Suites Rochester is another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel, located in Rochester, Minnesota, within one day and 1-hour drive from Seattle. The staff at this hotel take great care of their guests. There is always a hot breakfast selection daily, and on Monday through Thursday, they also offer an evening snack/small dinner. The rooms are clean and spacious, and I love that they think of everything from liquid dish soup to basics for kitchen needs to eat something small. I appreciate that the hotel staff does not have to call for room cleaning; they come daily to check on the condition of the rooms. The staff was very friendly. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take the same Seattle to Chicago route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Seattle to Chicago. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On The Way To Chicago From Seattle

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Seattle to Chicago road trip. In this section, we list the six different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. The Pink Door, Seattle: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago with The Pink Door, Seattle. The Pink Door, Seattle, is located in Seattle, Washington, and is 0.8 miles from Seattle. Therefore, it would take 6 mins to drive. The food was excellent, and the beverages were top-notch. The whole grilled fish and clam pasta were outstanding, as were the antipasto and green salad. We also received helpful service and courteous treatment. However, I did not enjoy the chairs – they were too high for the tables, making it difficult to eat while sitting down. For more information about The Pink Door, Seattle, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of The Pink Door, Seattle.
2. Bob Marshall’s Biga Pizza: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Chicago from Seattle is Bob Marshall’s Biga Pizza. Located in Missoula, Montana, Bob Marshall’s Biga Pizza is 475 miles from Seattle and would take 7 hours and 16 mins of driving. The pizzas have a variety of interesting toppings, and the house salad is full of fresh ingredients. Some of the pizzas have mascarpone cheese, which we were a little hesitant about but decided to try. If you want to learn more about Bob Marshall’s Biga Pizza, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. The Burger Dive: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is The Burger Dive. It will take 12 hours and 7 mins of car drive to take 817 miles from Seattle to The Burger Dive, Billings, Montana. The atmosphere at the restaurant was very friendly. The waitress was fantastic, and the veggie burger was excellent. But, of course, the good old regular burger was also outstanding. You can check The Burger Dive on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant and Bar: Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant and Bar deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Spearfish, South Dakota. The food was delicious and located very close to our RV park. The enchiladas were delicious, as were the picadillo tacos. They did get pretty busy, which is expected at a popular restaurant like this. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant and Bar is 1,090 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 16 hours and 18 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant and Bar, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Sunset Grill, Kadoka: If you enjoy dining, Sunset Grill, Kadoka, would be an excellent choice in Kadoka, South Dakota. It’s 1,225 miles from Seattle and would take 18 hours and 13 mins of car driving. The restaurant is clean and has friendly staff. The burgers and fries are great, and the prices are reasonable. In addition, the decorations are fun and exciting, making it a great place to stop for lunch. If you want to learn more about the Sunset Grill, Kadoka, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Chester’s Kitchen and Bar: Another restaurant we recommend you to visit on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago is Chester’s Kitchen and Bar, Rochester, Minnesota. It will take one day and 1 hour of driving to reach Chester’s Kitchen and Bar from Seattle. I had an excellent experience at this restaurant. The food was delicious, and I especially enjoyed the fish dish. The pasta dishes were also delicious. The service was excellent and fast. For more information about Chester’s Kitchen and Bar, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Seattle to Chicago. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 2,064 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Chicago road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Seattle to Chicago. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Way From Seattle To Chicago

A unique experience awaits you in Chicago. However, there are also some unique destinations like Seattle, Washington, on your road trip. We want to explain the top six destinations we recommend on the Chicago route.

• The Museum of Flight: The Museum of Flight will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Seattle to Chicago road trip. Located in Seattle, Washington, The Museum of Flight is 9.0 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 13 mins to drive. When I visited the museum, I didn’t expect it to be so large that I would spend so much time there. However, it is worth visiting, even if you’re not an aviation enthusiast. Some exhibits show artifacts from the space race age up to modern space exploration. Another area simulates a control tower that explains how air traffic control works, also present at the museum. The inside hangar has aircraft from different ages, including fighter jets and helicopters. There is also an exhibit of world war I and two aircraft with other artifacts and stories about the pilots who flew them. If you want to learn more about The Museum of Flight, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• A Carousel for Missoula: A Carousel for Missoula, Missoula, Montana is one of the destinations we recommend you to stop by on the Seattle to Chicago route. It’s 475 miles from Seattle, and it’ll take about 7 hours and 15 mins to drive. This carousel is located along the riverwalk and features a variety of horses. You can also ride on the dragon! If you want to learn more about A Carousel for Missoula, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• ZooMontana: Billings, Montana is one of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Seattle to Chicago. And if you visit Billings, Montana, we suggest you visit ZooMontana. You can arrive ZooMontana after 12 hours 0 mins of driving. ZooMontana is a zoological and botanical garden and educational facility that focuses on the conservation of wildlife in Montana and the 45th parallel of the earth. The zoo has over 100 animals, most of which are rescues, including wolves, grizzly bears, otters, eagles, and lynx. Visitors can learn about Yellowstone ecosystem fauna through direct observation, interpretive displays, and experiential educational programs. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of ZooMontana for more information.
• Spearfish Canyon: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Spearfish Canyon and Spearfish, South Dakota, on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago. Spearfish Canyon is 1,092 miles from Seattle, and you can arrive there after the 16 hours 22 mins of drive. This scenic 19-mile drive in the Black Hills that passes cliffs, waterfalls, and Spearfish Creek gives one the feeling they are in a rainforest. We loved hiking on Iron Creek Trail and both trails to waterfalls. Just beautiful and peaceful! In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Spearfish Canyon before going there.
• Badlands Distillery LLC: Located in Kadoka, South Dakota, Badlands Distillery LLC ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the Chicago road trip. You must take 18 hours and 13 mins of driving to arrive at Badlands Distillery LLC. On our way across the state, we saw their billboard and were so impressed. We loved the variety of food they offered and enjoyed everything we tasted. The owners were friendly and chatty, which made us feel like old friends. They also gave us a tasting pack of bottles to take home – which was great because we could bring some Badlands cuisine with us on our journey! If you want to learn more about Badlands Distillery LLC, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Quarry Hill Nature Center: Quarry Hill Nature Center, Rochester, Minnesota, is another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Seattle to Chicago. Quarry Hill Nature Center is 1,708 miles from Seattle, and it would take 1 hour to drive one day. Southeast Minnesota is a great place to hike, bike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe, thanks to the many trails that cover 329 acres. The playground area is also excellent for the children. For more information about Quarry Hill Nature Center, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Seattle to Chicago

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Seattle to Chicago drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Seattle To Chicago?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately one day and 6 hours to drive. The distance between Seattle to Chicago is 2,064 miles.
• If you want to make the Seattle to Chicago road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be seven days and 10 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Seattle-Chicago route, you will have to walk for 27 days and 23 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Seattle To Chicago?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Chicago. Here we list six of them. For more information about the best places on the Seattle to Chicago journey, you can check the 6 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Seattle To Chicago.

1. The Museum of Flight: 9.0 miles / 13 mins to drive from Seattle | 2,069 miles / one day and 6 hours of driving to Chicago.
2. A Carousel for Missoula: 475 miles / 7 hours 15 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,590 miles / 22 hours 54 mins of driving to Chicago.
3. ZooMontana: 812 miles / 12 hours 0 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,254 miles / 18 hours 9 mins of driving to Chicago.
4. Spearfish Canyon: 1,092 miles / 16 hours 22 mins to drive from Seattle | 956 miles / 13 hours 48 mins of driving to Chicago.
5. Badlands Distillery LLC: 1,225 miles / 18 hours 13 mins to drive from Seattle | 818 miles / 11 hours 52 mins of driving to Chicago.
6. Quarry Hill Nature Center: 1,708 miles / one day 1 hour to drive from Seattle | 347 miles / 5 hours 21 mins of driving to Chicago.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Seattle To Chicago?

There are many excellent hotels during your Seattle to Chicago road trip. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Way To Chicago From Seattle section.

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square: 0.7 miles / 5 mins to drive from Seattle | 2,064 miles / one day 6 hours of driving to Chicago.
• Best Western Plus Grant Creek Inn: 472 miles / 7 hours 11 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,593 miles / 22 hours 55 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Boothill Inn & Suites: 823 miles / 12 hours 10 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,245 miles / 18 hours 0 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Spearfish Canyon Lodge: 1,106 miles / 16 hours 46 mins to drive from Seattle | 968 miles / 14 hours 10 mins of driving to Chicago.
• AmericInn by Wyndham Belle Fourche: 1,081 miles / 16 hours 8 mins to drive from Seattle | 962 miles / 13 hours 57 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Aspen Suites Rochester: 1,707 miles / one day 1 hour to drive from Seattle | 349 miles / 5 hours 20 mins of driving to Chicago.

Where To Eat Between Seattle to Chicago?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to Chicago journey, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Way From Seattle To Chicago.

1. The Pink Door, Seattle: 0.8 miles / 6 mins to drive from Seattle | 2,065 miles / one day 6 hours of driving to Chicago.
2. Bob Marshall’s Biga Pizza: 475 miles / 7 hours 16 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,590 miles / 22 hours 52 mins of driving to Chicago.
3. The Burger Dive: 817 miles / 12 hours 7 mins to drive from Seattle | 1,248 miles / 18 hours 3 mins of driving to Chicago.
4. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant and Bar: 1,090 miles / 16 hours 18 mins to drive from Seattle | 958 miles / 13 hours 50 mins of driving to Chicago.
5. Sunset Grill, Kadoka: 1,225 miles / 18 hours 13 mins to drive from Seattle | 818 miles / 11 hours 52 mins of driving to Chicago.
6. Chester’s Kitchen and Bar: 1,706 miles / one day 1 hour to drive from Seattle | 348 miles / 5 hours 23 mins of driving to Chicago.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Seattle to Chicago. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and six places to visit on the way. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Seattle to Chicago as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken a road trip from Seattle to Chicago? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Seattle to Chicago and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.