Des Plaines is so close to O'Hare that the trip is often less about highway distance and more about the final few miles: local traffic, terminal access, luggage and whether you want a direct ride or a transit connection.
All Transportation Options From Des Plaines
| Option | Cost to ORD | Cost to MDW | Door-to-Door? | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Taxi | $65 sedan / $80 minivan | $88 sedan / $103 minivan | Yes | ORD ~10–20 min / MDW ~35–50 min |
| Uber / Lyft | Live app price — varies by demand | Live app price — varies by demand | Yes | ORD ~10–20 min / MDW ~35–50 min |
| Pace / CTA / Metra connections | ~$2–6 | ~$5–10 | No — transfer(s) required | ORD ~35–60 min / MDW ~1.5–2 hr |
| Shared / Private Shuttle | Provider quote — availability varies | Provider quote — availability varies | Depends on service | ORD ~30–60 min / MDW ~55–90 min |
| Drive & Park | Parking + gas/tolls | Parking + gas/tolls | No — parking/terminal transfer remains | ORD ~10–20 min / MDW ~35–50 min + parking time |
Taxi fares above use the current published base sedan rate, with the site's +$15 minivan add-on. Rideshare pricing is intentionally shown as variable because app fares change by time and demand. Transit fares and travel times are approximate planning ranges and should be checked against the current operator schedule before travel.
Drive Times: Des Plaines to O'Hare by Time of Day
| Departure Time | Typical Planning Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00am–6:30am | 10–15 min | Very short airport approach in light traffic |
| 6:30am–9:00am | 15–25 min | Local and airport traffic can add time |
| 9:00am–3:30pm | 12–18 min | Generally quick outside incidents |
| 3:30pm–6:30pm | 20–30+ min | Rush hour can slow local airport roads |
| 6:30pm–midnight | 10–18 min | Usually light again |
These are planning ranges, not guaranteed travel times. Construction, crashes, weather, event traffic and O'Hare terminal congestion can change the trip on any day.
Des Plaines to Midway Airport
Midway is substantially farther from Des Plaines than O’Hare. The current published sedan fare is $88 to Midway versus $65 to O’Hare. If flight choices are similar, ORD is normally the simpler airport because Des Plaines sits immediately beside the O’Hare area.
View Des Plaines to Midway airport service → · Compare O'Hare vs Midway →
Short Distance Does Not Mean Zero Buffer
Central Des Plaines can be only about 6–7 road miles from ORD, and a light-traffic trip may be around 10 minutes. Airport entrance roads, terminal congestion, construction and the exact side of Des Plaines can still change the real travel time.
Pace Is a Legitimate Alternative Here
Des Plaines has useful Pace connections toward Rosemont, Cumberland and the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility area. That makes transit more practical here than in many distant suburbs, especially with light luggage.
When a Direct Ride Still Makes Sense
Families, travelers with multiple checked bags, seniors and very early departures may prefer avoiding the bus-to-airport transfer. Current commercial details are on the Des Plaines to O'Hare page →.
Nearby O'Hare-Area Published Rates
| City | Published Sedan Rate |
|---|---|
| Des Plaines | $65 |
| Park Ridge | $65 |
| Mount Prospect | $65 |
| Elk Grove Village | $65 |
| Niles | $68 |
Des Plaines Airport Transportation Verdict
Related Airport Travel Pages
Des Plaines to O'Hare Rates & Booking · Park Ridge to O'Hare · O'Hare Pickup Guide · Flight Tracking Guide · When to Leave for O'Hare
Compare the dedicated airport transportation pages for Des Plaines, including current published fares, vehicle options and booking information.
Des Plaines to O'Hare Airport → · Des Plaines to Midway Airport →
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