ORDAirport Guide

Driving to O'Hare: directions and which approach for which terminal

Terminals 1, 2 and 3 share one set of roadways. Terminal 5 has its own signs off I-190, and the Multi-Modal Facility is off Mannheim Road and Zemke.

A sound wall of pale concrete panels beside the grey concrete lanes of an O'Hare approach road.
Beside the I-190 approach to O'Hare

Terminals 1, 2 and 3 share one set of roadways, and Terminal 5 has its own signs off I-190 toward Mannheim Road. The Multi-Modal Facility, home to the rental cars and Economy Lot F, sits off Mannheim Road and Zemke Boulevard. O’Hare’s pages give turn-by-turn directions to only two places, the Kiss ‘n’ Fly and the cell phone lot, so for the terminals you follow the signs.

Start with your airline

The airport says signs on the way in show which terminal each airline uses. Our airlines page lists them all, and this table covers a selection.

Airline Terminal
United Terminal 1, with a second lobby in Terminal 2
American Terminal 3
JetBlue, Alaska and Air Canada Terminal 2
Delta, Frontier and Sun Country Terminal 5

Which approach for which place

The airport sits off I-190, which runs west from the Kennedy Expressway. The airport’s cell phone lot directions point the same way: from Terminals 1, 2 and 3, they say to continue onto I-190 East and take the exit toward Mannheim Rd./Terminal 5.

You’re heading for Where it is
Main Garage and Lots B and C Next to the domestic terminals, Terminals 1, 2 and 3
Terminal 5 garage and Lot D Adjacent to Terminal 5, with an enclosed pedestrian bridge from the garage. While construction continues, cross by the bridge on the south side of the garage’s first level, next to the elevator lobby. From Lot D, use the pedestrian entry on the north side of the garage
Multi-Modal Facility, 10255 W. Zemke Blvd. Mannheim Road and Zemke Boulevard, or Bessie Coleman Drive by way of Coffey Road
Economy Lots G and H Along Bessie Coleman Drive
Cell phone lot, 560 North Bessie Coleman Drive The Bessie Coleman Drive exit from the city

For the Kiss ‘n’ Fly, our Kiss ‘n’ Fly guide has the turns from I-190 Exit 2A and from Higgins Road. The airport says signs on the area roadways guide you to each parking lot, and our parking page lists the rates for all of them. It doesn’t publish drive times, and it names no ramps off the Kennedy Expressway, so a map app has to supply the route up to the airport. Give it the airport’s address, 10000 West O’Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666.

For a tall vehicle, the Main Garage clears 6 feet 6 inches and the Terminal 5 garage clears 8 feet 6 inches. The airport suggests the outdoor Lots B and C if you need more clearance near the terminals. Lot B clears 9 feet and Lot C clears 8 feet 5 inches.

Dropping off and picking up

Drop off at the upper level Departures curb of your airline’s terminal. Pick up at the outermost curb on the lower level. The airport prohibits curbside waiting and tows unattended vehicles, so wait elsewhere until your passenger calls. Our curb and cell phone lot guide has the directions to the lot.

If you’re dropped at the wrong terminal, the Airport Transit System links Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 at no charge, so you don’t need to drive around again.

Sources