Parking Overnight Metra Union Pacific/NW Line (Arlington Heights, Des Plaines: living in, train station)

[kates370]

Hello!


I am new to the area and am having trouble finding information about overnight parking at the Metra stations along the Union Pacific/Northwest Line.

I am living in the city but working in Mt. Prospect. The drive is horrible and I want to take the Metra from Ogilvie to my car at one of the surrounding Metra stops. Then drive my car to work and back to the train station, leaving it overnight.

Does anyone know if Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Mt Prospect, Cumberland stations offer parking permits or anything along those lines?

Thank you!

[holl1ngsworth]

The parking lots surrounding the Metra stations are village-operated. You will have to research them individually. Most will be permit/paid parking during the day (Mt. Prospect is $1.50 for the day). There should be signage at the lots stating when the paid hours are (ie, 7am-5pm) and when/if free park is available afterward (ie, 5pm-overnight).

When my wife and I lived in the city, she worked out in the burbs and we did exactly the same thing. The lot by the suburban Metra station was a paid lot, but only during the day -- it was free overnight and during weekends. So we left a car by the station. She would pick up the car in the morning (well before the local PD came around to see who had paid for the day), drive to work, spend the day there, then drive back to the Metra station, leave the car and come home. It worked out great, no problems.

I would advise making sure you have any/all required city stickers that you might need in order to park in your desired city. Also, some towns may require that you notify the police when you park your car overnight, be aware of that.

You're on to something good. Beats the heck outta driving.

[kates370]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

The parking lots surrounding the Metra stations are village-operated. You will have to research them individually. Most will be permit/paid parking during the day (Mt. Prospect is $1.50 for the day). There should be signage at the lots stating when the paid hours are (ie, 7am-5pm) and when/if free park is available afterward (ie, 5pm-overnight).

When my wife and I lived in the city, she worked out in the burbs and we did exactly the same thing. The lot by the suburban Metra station was a paid lot, but only during the day -- it was free overnight and during weekends. So we left a car by the station. She would pick up the car in the morning (well before the local PD came around to see who had paid for the day), drive to work, spend the day there, then drive back to the Metra station, leave the car and come home. It worked out great, no problems.

I would advise making sure you have any/all required city stickers that you might need in order to park in your desired city. Also, some towns may require that you notify the police when you park your car overnight, be aware of that.

You're on to something good. Beats the heck outta driving.

Thanks for your reply! Makes me feel better to know that other people have done this before! Now I just have to figure out which ones wont tow my car!

[Bwitty7]

The car wash on the southeast side of the tracks at mt prospect offers overnight parking for something like twenty or thirty a month. My wife did it a few years ago.

Most city parking at those stations is not permitted overnight.

[kates370]

Thanks! I will definitely check that out!