Commute time from NW Downers Grove to Schaumburg? (Chicago, Algonquin: spring break, construction)

[HogansHeroes]

Does anyone commute from the NW Downers Grove area (i.e. near the Belmont train station) to Schaumburg (specifically, near Meacham and Algonquin) or anywhere nearby? Would you be able to give me a general idea of travel times? It seems the likely route would be 290 to 355, exiting at Maple in Downers. We did a test drive the other day and it was right around 30 minutes, but with spring breaks going on in the area it seems like all of the roads are a bit light, so would be interested to hear timing in winter, regular rush hour, etc. Thanks in advance!

[chet everett]

You're really talking the 355 / 53-290 combo, and getting off at Alqonquin is not too terrible unless there is a some unusual tie-up. Even going back you could probably bail out at Butterfield & Findley or even take 88 to Highland (travel east-west through Downers Grove is pretty easy along the tracks or even on Chicago Ave) if there is tie up on the south end of 355.

In routes like this there are some alternatives so you can generally count on times not varying to greatly, barring the unexpected. 30 minutes sound reasonable, I've done in it less when there is no traffic, and worst case I think would be on the rare morning when snow was falling so heavily that there were no plows out -- that could be almost double, but I probably would have done better on surface streets...

[HogansHeroes]

Thank you for the information!

[zizu]

Just for future reference, if you want to find directions and travel times, use google maps. You can even specify the route.

[chet everett]

Google maps are notoriously optimistic. The times they use are generally averages of the whole rush hour, which unfortunately in Chicago is prone to having both an early peak and late peak, as well as suffering tremendously from the occasional weather related tie-up. construction related delays or even the random "car on fire"...

[pvande55]

Also, Google maps often route you on the shortest mileage, even if that is a very congested route. I think there is an option to avoid a certain segment, but unless you know it to be a problem, you wouldn't know it.

[mattywo85]

I take 355 from Boughton to Algonquin four days a week and it usually takes me around 35 minutes.

[zizu]

For gods sake lol. The original poster said "Would you be able to give me a general idea of travel times?" I believe that means he does not want a scientifically sound calculation of the time it takes to make his commute.

Google maps will do the trick, plus or minus a few minutes from actual travel times (OH NO).

[mattywo85]

Originally Posted by zizu

For gods sake lol. The original poster said "Would you be able to give me a general idea of travel times?" I believe that means he does not want a scientifically sound calculation of the time it takes to make his commute.

Google maps will do the trick, plus or minus a few minutes from actual travel times (OH NO).

Lol, I would rather have someone tell me that drives a similar route that I would be driving then google.

[HogansHeroes]

Thanks to all who replied, these are very helpful. Mattywo85, looks like you're coming from further south even, so that is good to hear. And yes I know googlemaps can help, but I do think it's much more helpful having an idea from someone travelling in the same vicinity who would know quirks about rush hour, etc.