May 12, 2025
With its cosmopolitan background and diverse neighborhoods, Chicago continues to attract newcomers from across the country. If you are moving to the city center, knowing what to expect from your commute is good. Whether you will be commuting into the city every day or need convenient access to the highway for intermittent travel, Chicago’s extensive transportation network has much to offer to support your lifestyle. This guide examines subway commute time, city transit, and highway accessibility to ease your move into city living. For those hiring a moving company, especially professional movers familiar with Chicago’s layout, this information will help ensure a smooth start.
Commuting to Job Centers like Downtown Chicago
The Loop is Chicago’s business center and is home to various industries like finance, law, marketing, technology, and government services. Depending on where you move, the commute to the Loop varies. If you live citywide in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, or West Town, the commute is 25 to 40 minutes via train, bus, or car. For others living in nearby suburbs like Oak Park, Evanston, or Berwyn, the commute will probably take 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the transportation type and time of day.
The worst rush-hour traffic is from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Early motorists traveling at both times typically have their trip lengthened due to motorway congestion and city center streets. However, most business commuters escape this by traveling by mass transit, which is convenient and economical in most of the city and the suburbs.
Public Transport Facilities within the city
The Chicago Transit Authority operates the country’s second-most extensive mass transit network of trains and buses serving the city and the surrounding neighborhoods. The CTA rail system, popularly referred to as “L” due to its above-the-street levels, has eight different lines connecting the neighborhoods to downtown Chicago. Red, Blue, and Brown are some of the widely used lines serving as the lifeline of thousands of commuters every day.
Living along a CTA line significantly reduces the commuting stress for employees working in and around downtown. Taking the Blue Line, for example, transports customers from downtown to O’Hare International Airport in about 45 minutes, with a convenient fix for regular commuters. Meanwhile, the Metra rail network transports commuters from the surrounding metropolitan area, including cities not directly covered by the CTA. With 11 rail lines and over 200 stops, Metra provides comfortable and convenient service into the metro area, specifically for employees working regular office hours.
Buses are also common in the city, serving over 100 routes to cover areas not immediately along railway tracks. CTA buses even have real-time tracking technology to enable commuters to better plan trips.
Access to Major Highways and Interstates
Other than public transport, Chicago is well connected by a network of expressways that provide direct access to the downtown and outlying suburbs. Some of the key routes include Interstate 90 (Kennedy Expressway), Interstate 94 (Dan Ryan Expressway), and Interstate 290 (Eisenhower Expressway). They provide key access to the neighborhoods, business districts, and surrounding Midwestern cities.
Proximity to highways is one consideration in deciding where to live for working individuals, workers commuting to work, and people who regularly drive the highway to and from work. All of these neighborhoods, including Logan Square, West Loop, and Bridgeport, have relatively convenient access to the highway system and good public transit access.
Most surrounding communities, such as Skokie, Naperville, and Schaumburg, have convenient highway access. However, the drive to the city will depend on distance and traffic. Suburban commuters utilize tollways such as I-355 and I-294, and electronic payment methods such as I-PASS offer greater comfort while driving.
Planning Your Move with Commute in Mind
When choosing a suburb or neighborhood within the Chicago metropolitan area, proximity to the workplace and the quality of transit are convenient factors to consider. Professionals, students, and families prefer neighborhoods with decent commuting distances, access to good transit, and proximity to highways.
If you are preparing to move, having professional movers familiar with the city’s road network and transport system will ease your transition. A professional moving company, well aware of Chicago’s traffic and housing infrastructure, such as 2 Guys and a Van, ensures the move’s professionalism and efficiency so you can quickly set up your life in the city.
Picture Credit: Depositphotos