There are 8 ways to get from Normal to Des Plaines by train (Amtrak), bus, car, plane, bus (Greyhound), or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Bloomington-Normal to Chicago Union StationLincoln Service / ...
3h 23m$21–57Bus
- Take the bus from Uptown Station to Woodfield MallPeoria line
4h 9m$47–63Drive 134.4 mi
- Drive from Normal to Des Plaines134.4 mi
2h 20m$25–36Fly from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal
- Fly from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal (BMI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)BMI - ORD
3h 10m$85–276Bus via Jefferson & Harrison (Greyhound)
- Take the bus from Bloomington to Chicago Bus StationGreyhound US0145S
6h 43m$37–53Taxi to Decatur Airport, fly
- Take the taxi from Normal to Decatur Airport (DEC)
- Fly from Decatur Airport (DEC) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)DEC - ORD
2h 53m$226–451Bus to University Of Illinois Willard Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Bloomington to Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr
- Fly from University Of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)CMI - ORD
3h 47m$121–345Bus to Peoria International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Bloomington/Normal to Peoria
- Fly from Peoria International Airport (PIA) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)PIA - ORD
4h 22m$109–320
Normal to Des Plaines by train and foot (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Normal to Des Plaines is to drive which costs $24 - $40 and takes 2h 20m.
The fastest way to get from Normal to Des Plaines is to drive which takes 2h 20m and costs $24 - $40.
No, there is no direct bus from Normal station to Des Plaines station. However, there are services departing from Uptown Station and arriving at Des Plaines Metra Station via Northwest Transportation Center. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 9m.
No, there is no direct train from Normal to Des Plaines. However, there are services departing from Bloomington-Normal and arriving at Des Plaines via Chicago OTC. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 23m.
The distance between Normal and Des Plaines is 142 miles. The road distance is 135.2 miles.
The best way to get from Normal to Des Plaines without a car is to train which takes 3h 23m and costs $20 - $60.
It takes approximately 3h 23m to get from Normal to Des Plaines, including transfers.
Normal to Des Plaines bus services, operated by Peoria Charter Coach Company, depart from Uptown Station.
Normal to Des Plaines train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Bloomington-Normal station.
The best way to get from Normal to Des Plaines is to train which takes 3h 23m and costs $20 - $60. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $45 - $65 and takes 4h 9m, you could also fly, which costs $85 - $280 and takes 3h 10m.
What companies run services between Normal, IL, USA and Des Plaines, IL, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Bloomington-Normal to Chicago Union Station 5 times a day. Tickets cost $17–55 and the journey takes 2h 19m. Alternatively, Peoria Charter Coach Company operates a bus from Uptown Station to Woodfield Mall twice daily. Tickets cost $45–60 and the journey takes 3h.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Central Illinois Regional Airport At Bloomington-Normal to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $29–220
Flights from University Of Illinois Willard Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 13m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–220
Flights from Peoria International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $29–220
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Decatur Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 11m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
Flights from Peoria International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $29–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Bloomington-Normal to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 19m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $17–55
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 800-448-0572
- ticketsales@peoriacharter.com
- Website
- peoriacharter.com
Bus from Uptown Station to Woodfield Mall
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $45–60
- Schedules at
- peoriacharter.com
- cash
- $60
- online
- $45
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Bloomington to Chicago Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–45
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Bloomington to Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $17–40
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1 (319) 753-2864
- info@burlingtontrailways.com
- Website
- burlingtontrailways.com
Bus from Bloomington to Champaign Intermodal Trans Ctr
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $25–50
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $25–40
- Flexible Fares
- $30–50
Bus from Bloomington/Normal to Peoria
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $23–45
- Website
- https://burlingtontrailways.com
- Saver Fares
- $23–35
- Flexible Fares
- $30–45
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 9m
- Estimated price
- $140–170
Red Top Cab
- Phone
- +1 309-827-9707
CiRyde
- Phone
- +1 309-828-0123
- Website
- ciryde.com
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Normal to Des Plaines bus services, operated by Peoria Charter Coach Company, arrive at Woodfield Mall station.
Normal to Des Plaines train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Chicago Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Normal to Des Plaines is 135 miles. It takes approximately 2h 20m to drive from Normal to Des Plaines.
There are 368+ hotels available in Des Plaines.












