Transportation from Oak Brook to Loop (Chicago, Oak Park: home, depreciation, schools)

[werd123]

I've been trying to weight my options and trying to find the fastest/most economical way of getting to the loop by 5:45 in the evening for class from the suburbs. I currently work in Oak Brook and will go straight from work to class. I will leave work at 4PM and want to make it to class in time without driving downtown.

Here are my options

- Take metra from Hinsdale to Union
- Take metra to olgilvie from Elmhurst
- Drive to Oak Park and take Green line
- Drive to Rosemont to take Blue line

I am mainly unsure about the parking situation in each of these places except Rosemont so was wondering if anyone has some insight on each of these options. I didn't consider forest park blue line as an option as there are possible safety concerns with the area after dark? Green line in oak park is fine because I could take metra back. Please do advise on other options too.

Thanks in advance.

[pvande55]

Hinsdale. Several express trains going downtown at that hour. Parking shouldn't be a problem at that hour. There should be some open spaces. Another option (I tried it when working near Oak Brook to go to downtown meetings) is the 322 bus to the Pink line. Economical, but slow.

[chet everett]

Given that you have 105 minutes for a trip that ought not take much more than 60 on average and even 90 in bad conditions you may just find driving is more sensible. The little hassles that occur even getting to the Hinsdale train station from workplaces in Oak Brook can be maddening. It would be worse trying to get to Elmhurst and there is no way it would make sense to rely on CTA at that hour.

While I agree that aiming for the 4:25 out of Hinsdale is not a bad way to ensure you get to Union Station just before 5PM, you'd then be a "salmon swimming upstream" to get across the Loop. Though you would have 45 minutes to get to class, pretty sure that driving would be similar for inbound total trip.

Since there are no expresses after rush hour you'd have to factor in the trip back to Hinsdale and the drive to wherever home might be. If it is not close to Hinsdale, real time savings might be available from driving straight home after class...

I've done both an after-work class / train commute as well as driving and can say that every minute saved at the end of day means you are better able to get to bed and have productive day at work the next. Something to consider...

[Lookout Kid]

You know, I'm a big proponent of using public transit when a feasible options exists. Unfortunately Oak Brook wasn't planned with public transit in mind, so driving really is the best option here.

[werd123]

I'm also trying to pick the option that's also the most cost efficient. Doesn't parking in the loop cost an arm and a leg?

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by werd123

I'm also trying to pick the option that's also the most cost efficient. Doesn't parking in the loop cost an arm and a leg?

A few weeks ago I needed to go to a meeting close to Millenium Park. It was midday and I didn't want to bother hunting for parking so I gladly paid $38

If I needed to be downtown earlier I could have gotten to several sites that offer parking for $17 before 6am...

There is parking close to DePaul for about the same after 5:30pm, similar deals exist near other schools...

Train fares on Metra between Union Station and Hinsdale are over $10 round trip via a 10 ride, plus you'd pay for parking in Hinsdale. Not a wallet breaker...

[RJA29]

Originally Posted by chet everett

A few weeks ago I needed to go to a meeting close to Millenium Park. It was midday and I didn't want to bother hunting for parking so I gladly paid $38

If I needed to be downtown earlier I could have gotten to several sites that offer parking for $17 before 6am...

There is parking close to DePaul for about the same after 5:30pm, similar deals exist near other schools...

Train fares on Metra between Union Station and Hinsdale are over $10 round trip via a 10 ride, plus you'd pay for parking in Hinsdale. Not a wallet breaker...

AND you'd pay for CTA fare depending on where you need to be. Hinsdale parking + Metra + CTA = ~$16 rt.

Parking + car depreciation + gas = ~$20?

It might not be that much more expensive to drive, and you'd likely save some time.

I do agree that driving rarely makes sense in the Chicago Metra covered areas, but in your case it just might...

[werd123]

I guess I'll try taking the Metra from either Elmhurst/Hinsdale a few times considering I already bought some 10 ride tickets. I really don't mind getting home a little later as long as I can make it on time. I also noticed a lot of street parking in Hinsdale has 2 hour parking that lasts until 6PM, so if I get there at 4, everything should be fine?

[jsk1983]

After a certain time the trains only run every hour. Maybe the times work out for when you get out of class, maybe not, but something to consider.

[adele115]

If you're going to do the train, I would say Hinsdale. Express train is easy, parking will be fine at that time.

If you're open to driving, I wouldn't rule it out. I would avoid the hillside strangler altogether by taking Ogden all the way in. Then, have the Spot Hero app on your phone to get the cheapest parking. I've been very successful finding great prices in the loop using that app! So it might not be so expensive after all.