How far is Orion, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Orion, IL to Chicago, IL is about 171.1 miles (275.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.2 miles (233.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Orion and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orion and Chicago.
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1
Start on 4th Street
5 m · 6 sec · 4th Street
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2
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
1408 ft · 1 min · 10th Avenue
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3
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
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4
Turn right onto East 200th Street
6.1 mi · 8 min · East 200th Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn right
3.3 mi · 5 min
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6
Take the ramp left
1397 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.1 mi · 5 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 2 hr 29 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Merge slight right onto Eisenhower Expressway
13.2 mi · 18 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
616 ft · 15 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
1203 ft · 29 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
1398 ft · 34 sec
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15
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
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16
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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18
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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19
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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20
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Orion and Chicago.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 02h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Orion and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Orion to Chicago?
The road trip is about 171.1 miles (275.4 km) and usually takes 02h 52m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ashton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Orion and 85.1 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.2 miles (233.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.78 one way or $45.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Orion and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
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 Orion and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 145.21 mi (233.69 km).
#1 Orion
Village in Henry County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,776 |
| Coordinates | 41.3547600, -90.3815200 |
| Altitude | 236 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 275 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.78 | $45.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.11 | $56.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.04 | $64.07 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.