This study demonstrates that it is possible to extrude highly oriented polyethylene fibers using only a plasticating single screw extruder, specially designed and operated dies, and a simple take up mechanism. The degree of orientation achieved is as high as that achieved in solid state extrusion studies but accomplished at a fraction of the pressure. The degree of orientation is significantly greater than that of commercial grade fibers. The orientation is developed in the elongational flow of the “wine glass stem” region preceding the die entrance and is retained by crystallization in the die. Crystallization is inhibited in the pre‐die region by maintaining a temperature above the effective melting point of the flowing, oriented (hence lowered entropy) melt.