How far is Orion, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Orion, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 169.5 miles (272.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.1 miles (220.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m 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 42m.
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Orion and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orion and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on 4th Street
5 m · 6 sec · 4th Street
-
2
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
1408 ft · 1 min · 10th Avenue
-
3
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
4
Turn right onto East 200th Street
6.1 mi · 8 min · East 200th Street
-
5
At the end of the road, turn right
3.3 mi · 5 min
-
6
Take the ramp left
1397 ft · 34 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.1 mi · 5 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 2 hr 29 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
18
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
19
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
20
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Orion and Des Plaines.
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Orion and Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Orion to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 169.5 miles (272.8 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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 84.7 miles from Orion and 84.9 miles from Des Plaines.
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 32.4 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 1:06 PM 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 Showers And Thunderstorms around Orion and Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Des Plaines.
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 Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 137.14 mi (220.71 km).
#1 Orion
Village in Henry County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,776 |
| Coordinates | 41.3547600, -90.3815200 |
| Altitude | 236 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.