Travel times to get to Big Timber Metra Station going South Randall Rd (Chicago: house)

[NewSellerthenBuyer]

I am looking for an affordable single family, two levels, house 3Beds/2.1Baths located in Algonquin, Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, or West Dundee. I mean not more than 225K. It is been kind of difficult to find it :-(. Anyways, my main concern at this time is getting to Big Timber Metra Station, 2025 Big Timber Road, in the morning hours. Let’s say to catch the 6:51 AM train to Chicago. Can somebody tell me the actual times from those towns to Big Timber Station going down Randall Rd? Google maps shows about 10 minutes from some points, but I would like to get members opinions and actual times. What are the real challenges to get to the city by around 8:00 AM during winter or summers months? Any alternative faster routes? What about going back home arriving from Big Timber at 6:01 PM? Are enough parking spots there? Any insights are highly appreciated, I am new to the location!!!

[4122]

You can actually get to the city by leaving Big Timber at 6:51 AM and get to Union Station downtown at 8:02.

[4122]

You can get home at EXACTLY 6:01pm leaving Union Station at 4:50pm. If you're willing to do an almost 90 minute commute everyday, the times work. Now, you just need to find a house.

[NewSellerthenBuyer]

I actually already did my home work with the train schedule and know exactly the train times. My predicament it is how long it will take to get to Big Timber Timber starting a different crossing points along Randall Road at 6:30 AM. For example:

+ from Country Line to Big Timber, or
+ from Binnie Rd to Big Timber, or
+ from 72 to Big Timber.

As I said, Google maps shows about 10 minutes from some points, but I would like to get members opinions about the actual times at 6:30 AM, and also:

+ What are the real challenges to get to the Big Timber at 6:51 AM during winter or summers months?
+ Any alternative faster routes?
+ Are enough parking spots there by 6:51 AM?
+ What about going back home arriving from Big Timber at 6:01 PM? How long it will take to get to the same crossing points? Faster routes back at 6:01 PM, if needed?

Thanks!

[knitgirl]

I don't think that you're necessarily going to find many (any?) CD users who will be able to give you that information. I've used the Waze app and website (now owned by Google) to estimate travel times and they're pretty accurate. I think you won't know for sure unless you try the routes yourself. I don't have experience with Big Timber, but I recently took the train from the main Elgin station around noon and had no trouble finding parking. My guess is that Big Timber (which has a larger parking lot) probably has plenty of available spots. You could call the station during the hours they have an agent there, they'd probably have the most accurate info.

[NewSellerthenBuyer]

Thank you for the tip, I have no idea about the Waze App. This is great. Thanks!

[koriemo]

From my experience, getting from Algonquin commons area to Big Timber station would take 12 minutes (excluding time to park and walk to the train) in the morning in good weather. There will be parking spaces.

[bu__jonathan]

Binnie and Randall (by the Woodmans) is a nice little neighborhood. You should be able to find a house in your price range (<$225k) in that neighborhood. Travel times on Randall at 6:00 am are good. Traffic shouldn't be a concern. Randall starts getting bad closer to 7am to 8 am.