How far is Des Plaines, IL from Orion, IL?
The driving distance from Des Plaines, IL to Orion, IL is about 169.4 miles (272.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 16m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Lee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Plaines and Orion.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines and Orion.
-
1
Start on Henry Avenue
557 ft · 25 sec · Henry Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
8.9 mi · 12 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1.5 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1251 ft · 31 sec · Tri-State Tollway
-
7
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 88 West Toll: Aurora
2633 ft · 50 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.2 km · 60 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
12
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
-
13
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
-
14
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Peoria
5.7 mi · 7 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 6
1620 ft · 42 sec
-
17
Turn right
3 mi · 5 min
-
18
Turn left onto East 200th Street
6.1 mi · 8 min · East 200th Street
-
19
At the end of the road, turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
20
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
1408 ft · 1 min · 10th Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto 4th Street
5 m · 1 sec · 4th Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Plaines and Orion.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 01h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Des Plaines and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Orion.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Plaines to Orion?
The road trip is about 169.4 miles (272.7 km) and usually takes 03h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ashton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.6 miles from Des Plaines and 84.8 miles from Orion.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.55 one way or $45.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Des Plaines and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Orion.
Stop Ideas Near Ashton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ashton.
Mendota station
Rockford, Illinois
Princeton
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Plaines and Orion. Straight-line distance: 137.14 mi (220.71 km).
#1 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Orion
Village in Henry County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,776 |
| Coordinates | 41.3547600, -90.3815200 |
| Altitude | 236 |
| Country | United States |
End: Orion (-90.38152, 41.35476)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.55 | $45.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.43 | $50.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.83 | $55.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.72 | $63.44 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.