Live in Chicago and work in Hammond (Lincoln: construction, to live in)

[allqqpp]

Hi all,

I work in Hammond and my wife works in Chicago downtown. We are planning to live close to Chicago downtown. Can someone advise me on the realistic commuting (drive/train) scenario between Chicago (like Lincoln park, Gold coast etc) and Hammond?

Thank you very much...

[chet everett]

The tough thing is that there are literally only two shots to make it from downtown to Hammond for a job that starts at 9AM -- [SIZE=2]203[/SIZE][SIZE=2]06:10AM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]06:45AM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]207[/SIZE][SIZE=2]08:00AM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]08:37AM[/SIZE]
End of day options coming back west are crummy too:
[SIZE=2]218[/SIZE][SIZE=2]04:52PM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]05:32PM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]20[/SIZE][SIZE=2]05:42PM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]06:22PM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]220[/SIZE][SIZE=2]07:02PM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]07:42PM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]22[/SIZE][SIZE=2]09:28PM[/SIZE][SIZE=2]10:08PM[/SIZE]

The parking in Chicago is crazy expensive and the job in Hammond would have to be very close to the station for it to make sense too...

I have seen more than a few Illinois plates in NW Indiana and even though the SKyWay ain't cheap it is fast, especially for the "reverse commute". If you drive a nice fuel sipper (a Corolla get like 35 MPG) that might be a lot more flexible -- and probably a time saver too: from: North ave and lake Shore Drive Chicago IL to: 4531 S Hohman Ave, Hammond, IN 46327 - Google Maps

[Avengerfire]

I would say if a married couple can afford to live in LP,GC or downtown they can afford the parking. Try to take the South Shore train if possible though.

If not, you can take Lake Shore Drive to the Skyway into Hammond. Or take Lake Shore drive to South Shore Drive and follow 41 into Hammond. The only problem with taking 41 all the way is you will go through some crappy areas to say the least.

[allqqpp]

Thank you very much for your suggestions. They are indeed useful. Could you please advise me on the Chicago - Hammond average reverse commute time during the rush hour?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by allqqpp

Thank you very much for your suggestions. They are indeed useful. Could you please advise me on the Chicago - Hammond average reverse commute time during the rush hour?

It depends what part of Hammond. Rush hour is more like 3-4 hours in Chicago. So a more exact time helps greatly.It also depends on the route you are taking.

But most of the time I cant see it taking much more than an hour at most.

[chet everett]

I have left Beverly Shores east of Michigan City @ 5:15 PM on weeknights and been at the Field Museum before 6:15 on several occasions. Sometimes WAY before hand. The Skyway flies. A radar detector is a good investment, as the police patrols are so infrequent that you tend to, uh, not notice how effortlessly one can cruise...

[j33]

If I were to live in Chicago and commute to Hammond, I'd move to the the south LOOP or the south side of the city. It would cut down that commute a bit and probably keep it to less than an hour.

[summer22]

Less than an hour. Probably more like :35 to :45. Construction, snow and accidents are the only things that would make the ride longer.

WBBM radio's traffic on the 8's will be your friend. Its worth tuning in (or checking online) to see if 80/94 or the Skyway is the better choice each day, since you can take either one, and you want to avoid the one that's snagged.

[allqqpp]

Thanks a lot for all the replies... What is the monthly toll charge to commute using chicago skyway? Also how tedious is the commuting using I-90 and I-94. I am trying to understand the options available... Anybody knows how good is the public transport (buses) in hammond so that I can reach my office from the south shore train station? Office is 4 miles south to the train station. Thank you.

[Drover]

This might be a good place to start: City of Hammond | Transit System

It doesn't look like their system is particularly extensive but it might get you where you need to go.

Using the Skyway would be $6 a day round trip. Ouch.