Commuting from Oak Park to Oak Forest (Chicago, Cicero: transfer, move to)

[MSioux]

Hello, I'm about to move to Chicago, staying in Oak Park with a job in Oak Forest. Does anyone have any recommended routes or tips, beyond taking 290 to 294? How long would this take by train, on average? Thank you so much.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by MSioux

Hello, I'm about to move to Chicago, staying in Oak Park with a job in Oak Forest. Does anyone have any recommended routes or tips, beyond taking 290 to 294? How long would this take by train, on average? Thank you so much.

There is no train connection Oak Park to Oak Forest, so you would have to get an inbound Union Pacific West train into the Loop, transfer, and take an outbound Rock Island train to Oak Forest. And vice versa for the return home. Both train trips are relatively short, so it's a matter of making the transfer work--which could be tricky considering these trains leave from different stations in the Loop (the UP-W is at Ogilve while the RI is at LaSalle Street). Also, you'd be on the RI doing a reverse commute both ways, and those trains don't run nearly as frequently (something like every 45 minutes, I believe).

I hate to say it, but you'll probably just have to drive.

[cubssoxfan]

MSioux,
I don't know how 290 is during rush hour, but on 294 you will be in the reverse commute traffic pattern. Going south in the AM is pretty quick and going north on 294 in PM is also free flowing traffic. It's heavy, but it moves well.
Not sure how Harlem is, probably too many stop-lights. Might experiment with Harlem to I-55 to 294. You might save some time by taking 294 and exiting at 159th street instead of exiting at Cicero/127th. Good luck. By Chicago standards, it shouldn't be a bad commute. Guessing 30-45 minutes depending on weather and time of day.

I hate to say it, but you'll probably just have to drive.

I agree with Lookout. Probably faster to drive. Chicago's Public transportation is good, BUT limited by only providing "spokes" into downtown. The area is limited by not having any "circles" around the spokes.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by MSioux

Hello, I'm about to move to Chicago, staying in Oak Park with a job in Oak Forest. Does anyone have any recommended routes or tips, beyond taking 290 to 294? How long would this take by train, on average? Thank you so much.

There really is no good direct route for you unfortunantly. Try Harlem south to 87th Street, turn east (left) and take that to Ridgeland, at Ridgeland turn south (right), stay on Ridgeland all the way down to Oak Forest... Well 147th Street and go left or right.

You can also go straight down Harlem the entire way, but Harlem is supposed to be ripped up for repaving soon.