Gurnee to Chicago Commute

[cubssoxfan]

OK, specifically: what time of day do you do the drive? What route do you take? Is traffic moving at the speed limit the entire trip? For all I know, you commute off-peak hours. so, more info please. I have stated that I am basing my numbers on time it takes during rush hour And that you can make it faster on some days. But I also know that if it sometimes takes me an hour from AH to downtown-via 294 & 90, on the same day it will take 15-20 minutes longer from Gurnee-provided 294 is moving at normal speed with no slow down. This is based on my best time for driving from 294&Willow to 294&Grand. There is NO way to drive that stretch in less than 15 minutes unless you want to greatly exceed the speed limit.
AND if my best time leaving at 8AM, door to door from AH to downtown, is 40 minutes, driving at 55-65, how in the world do you make it in the same time? Are you factoring in time to get on the highway and off? Are you factoring time on downtown streets to drive into parking garage? Are you factoring in time to walk from parking garage and get into the office? What is your definition of downtown? I am using Lake and Wacker as a guide. If you need to be at Congress and Michigan add 5-10 minutes!

[MomtoMal]

My husband works in Downtown Chicago, and we moved to Gurnee 2 years ago in order to get more house for our money. He sometimes drives and that is anywhere from 50 minutes to 2 hours. Usually he avoids driving Wednesday through Friday because those are the days he has the worst luck with traffic. Anyway, when he rides the train, he takes the Milwaukee District North Line from Libertyville or Lake Forest. He leaves early in the morning, so driving to Lake Forest is a better option when he wants to sleep in. The train is anywhere from just over and hour to just under (if it's express). I hope this helps.

[reppin_the_847]

Taking the Metra during rush hour is the smart thing to do. Also, that Lake Forest station (near Everett & Waukegan Road) has way more available parking than the Libertyville station. That's for sure.

Originally Posted by MomtoMal

My husband works in Downtown Chicago, and we moved to Gurnee 2 years ago in order to get more house for our money. He sometimes drives and that is anywhere from 50 minutes to 2 hours. Usually he avoids driving Wednesday through Friday because those are the days he has the worst luck with traffic. Anyway, when he rides the train, he takes the Milwaukee District North Line from Libertyville or Lake Forest. He leaves early in the morning, so driving to Lake Forest is a better option when he wants to sleep in. The train is anywhere from just over and hour to just under (if it's express). I hope this helps.

[MomtoMal]

Originally Posted by reppin_the_847

Taking the Metra during rush hour is the smart thing to do. Also, that Lake Forest station (near Everett & Waukegan Road) has way more available parking than the Libertyville station. That's for sure.

I agree completely. Also, right now the resident/non-resident daily pay parking lot in Libertyville is closed for constuction, so parking in Libertyville is at a minimum and residents have first dibs on 6 month passes for the parking that is still available.

[zagorette]

Thanks for all your help guys!

I did notice that the train travel times vary a little bit during the day, so I'm going to try and work my schedule so that I can at least have the shortest ride in and out.

I still don't know what train station is the closest to me, so I'll have to look around once I get there.

I'm moving in about a month, I hope it'll all go smoothly!!