Chicago commute?

Question

I currently live in the downtown Loop and commute to the southern suburbs for work. The reverse commute isn't bad at all - 30 minutes to the Homewood area, 30 minutes back, even during rush hour. I'm considering taking a job in Naperville / Aurora, in the western suburbs. I've driven on I-290 before, though, and in general it seems much busier than I-95 / I-57 during rush hour, even the "reverse" commute, going away from the city in the morning and coming back into the city in the evening. Does anyone know if this is a much worse commute than the south suburbs? Should I plan for much longer times in the car?

I would be taking the train now and again, but there are times that I'd be on call and my job would have emergencies, which could require the car in the middle of the night to get out there. As a result, I wouldn't always be able to take the train.

Answer 1

A few years ago, I used to commute on 290 from the west suburbs to my university downtown. It is bad both ways almost all of the time. I think it partly has to do with the stretch of 290 where the entrance ramp to the highway (and the merging cars) is in the left lane...and because people in rush hour sometimes drive with a ten-car-length empty space in front of them. You should definitely plan for much longer times in the car if you are taking 290. From the loop to Naperville/Aurora...I would give at least an hour and a half in the morning, if not longer. My husband went to college in Aurora, and the drive from Chicago to Aurora is 1 hour during a non-rush hour time. So expect longer during rush hour. It's better to be early than late on your first day, so give yourself enough time.

Answer 2

You should plan about 45 minutes to an hour to get from downtown to Naperville. Since you are going the opposite way of traffic, it will probably be faster. If you do hit traffic you will be stuck there all day. I always plan about an hour to get downtown from Naperville. May I suggest the Metra train though? They have a beautiful train station in Naperville.

Answer 3

I commute daily from the Route 59 train station. From the time I leave my house and get dowtown it is one hour each way. That is still better than 290 to i88. 88 has bad stretches and traffic can be bad at all times of the day. I hate the train life but it is better than the traffic.

Answer 4

There is alot of traffic all over though if you can wait til after 6:30 it's gets much better. I found taking 55 in the morning out was better than the Ike though don't know when you start. better earlier than 7:30 outbound and after 9. Being downtown I would consider taking Metra if possible.

Answer 5

Would you consider taking the train?