Rockford Airport Taxi
From a cornfield factory to the world's crossroads
We drive our Rockford neighbors to O'Hare every day, and most of them have no idea the airport started as an orchard and a wartime aircraft plant. Here's how ORD became one of the busiest airports on earth.
Flying out of O'Hare? We'll get you there on time - book online or call (815) 200-9604.
Orchard Field and the war years (1942-1945)
In 1942 the U.S. government built a huge Douglas Aircraft factory on farmland northwest of Chicago, near the little community of Orchard Place. Workers there built C-54 Skymaster cargo planes for World War II, and the airfield beside the plant was called Orchard Field - which is why O'Hare's airport code is still ORD today.
Named for a hero: Butch O'Hare (1949)
After the war, Chicago chose the site for a new airport, because Midway was running out of room. In 1949 it was renamed for Lt. Cmdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a Chicago-raised Navy fighter pilot who earned the Medal of Honor in 1942 defending his aircraft carrier, and who was lost in combat in 1943. A restored F4F Wildcat like the one he flew is displayed in Terminal 2.
The jet age arrives (1955-1960s)
Scheduled passenger flights began in 1955. Midway's short runways couldn't handle the new jetliners, so the airlines moved to O'Hare, and the main terminals opened in 1962 along with the first direct highway link to downtown. Within a few years O'Hare was the busiest airport in the world, a title it held for decades.
Landmarks you can still see
- Terminal 1 (1987) - United's glass-and-steel terminal by architect Helmut Jahn, with the famous neon-lit tunnel and music between concourses B and C.
- Terminal 5 - the international terminal, opened in 1993 and expanded in recent years.
- The Brachiosaurus - a towering dinosaur skeleton from the Field Museum, standing in Terminal 1.
- The Butch O'Hare Wildcat - the WWII fighter plane on display in Terminal 2.
O'Hare today
O'Hare is a hub for both United and American Airlines, with nonstop flights to around 200 destinations. The O'Hare Modernization Program rebuilt the runways into a parallel layout, and the ongoing O'Hare 21 project is adding a new global terminal and concourses - so the airport keeps changing.
Getting there from Rockford
O'Hare is about 70 miles from Rockford - roughly 75 to 90 minutes by car. Skip the parking fees and the bus: we pick you up at home in Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Belvidere or anywhere in the Stateline area, 24 hours a day, and we track your flight on the way back.
Plan your trip with our O'Hare airport guide, check your flight status, or see when to leave for your flight. Book Rockford to O'Hare or call (815) 200-9604.
Common Questions
Why is O'Hare's airport code ORD?
O'Hare began as Orchard Field, home of a Douglas aircraft plant during World War II. The ORD code comes from Orchard and was kept when the airport was renamed in 1949.
Who is O'Hare Airport named after?
It is named for Lt. Cmdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a Chicago-raised Navy fighter pilot who received the Medal of Honor in 1942. A restored Wildcat fighter like the one he flew is on display in Terminal 2.
When did O'Hare open to passengers?
Scheduled commercial flights began in 1955, and the main terminal complex opened in 1962, quickly making O'Hare one of the busiest airports in the world.
How long is the drive from Rockford to O'Hare?
About 70 miles - usually 75 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. A1 Rockford Limo drives it 24 hours a day; call (815) 200-9604.
O'Hare Car Service Near You
Rockford to O'Hare · O'Hare to Rockford · Belvidere to O'Hare · Loves Park to O'Hare · Machesney Park to O'Hare · Roscoe to O'Hare · Freeport to O'Hare · Beloit to O'Hare · Rockton · Bus alternative · Rockford to Midway · Rockford to Chicago · Rockford Airport (RFD) · Cherry Valley to O'Hare · Poplar Grove to O'Hare · Winnebago to O'Hare · Pecatonica to O'Hare · Oregon to O'Hare · DeKalb to O'Hare · Janesville to O'Hare · Where to Stay in Rockford · Rockford History · O'Hare History · Hard Rock Casino Limo · O'Hare to Hard Rock Casino · O'Hare to Rockford Guide