Best commute route (lakeview, roscoe village, wrigley, etc to libertyville) (Chicago: neighborhoods, school)

[da9k1ne]

I'm relocating to Chicago and trying to figure out the least painful way to get to libertyville. I'm planning on living in lakeview, lincoln park, roscoe village, or wrigleyville.

I have heard from a friend of a friend that trip can take an hour in the morning, and an hour twenty minutes coming home.

Is there any other locally known way to take this route besides 90/94. I've heard that road can be terrible at times.

If not, what are the best times to drive on those roads?

[ToriaT]

I suggest you rethink this. The commute can be much much more. There is no good fast way to do that commute. People here routinely quote optimistic commute times but they are really idealistic.

[soulful]

There is a local route that basically stays right beside Lake Michigan all the way up the shore. It never takes more than one hour and 20 minutes at the worst of times. There are a number of stoplights, etc. You would take Lake Shore Drive north to Sheridan Road. Sheridan Road (although it will change names many times for brief periods as the wind through the fashionable lakefront suburbs) will get you all the way up to Lake Bluff and then there is a large sign pointing you to Libertyville (which is a few miles inland (west) from the lake. I actually prefer this route as it is truly beautiful. Just be patient as you will often go 30 miles per hour max due to the posted speed limits.

p.s. There is a slight variation in that Green Bay Road runs parallel to Sheridan Road. You can try that as an alternative. Oddly, I make better time on Sheridan Rd on many days. Green Bay just has so much more traffic.

In addition, you can take either Green Bay Rd or Sheridan Rd from Evanston north to Lake Cook Road (near Glencoe). Then take Lake Cook Rd west to Highway 41 (also called Skokie Highway) which is four lanes and take 41 north to Libertyville.

You will just have to play around with all the options based on the time of day. At some times of day, the interstate might work better for you.

[chet everett]

The advice from Toria T above is very sound. Although there are many combinations of surface streets and expressways that cover the 35 miles or so from the neighborhoods you are considering to where your job is I would not estimate an AVERAGE moving speed, factoring times when you are STOPPED at lights or just in dead stopped bumper to bumper traffic EVER really exceeding about 30 MPH and OFTEN dropping down to the low 20s... Sound you encounter really awful weather (which generally happens at least a few times every season...) you could get averages down at 10 MPH...

If you decide to stick with your list of neighborhoods realize that if you are anywhere near the time frame of a Cubs game the effect on traffic, both expressways and surface streets, can be almost as dramatic as a blizzard -- adds major headaches for parking too...

If you have your heart set on having a 606xx zip code I would recommend a neighborhood like Old Irving as it will keep you closer to the Kennedy and alternates so traffic at the end of your trip (which most people agree is most frustrating...) would be manageable...

[da9k1ne]

What about living in ravens wood, Or Lincoln square?

That would allow me to get on the highway last the merge of 90/94, which seems like where most of the traffic builds.

[knitgirl]

I definitely think living in Lincoln Square or Ravenswood would be better options. It's still not going to be an easy commute, but you'll definitely save some time.

[da9k1ne]

Of the two, which do you think is safer?

I'll need to be close to a brown line stop.

Thanks!

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by da9k1ne

Of the two, which do you think is safer?

I'll need to be close to a brown line stop.

Thanks!

Between Lincoln Square and Ravenswood? They're both pretty safe..Lincoln Square might be slightly safer and has a little more going on.

[chet everett]

Lincoln Square has FAR MORE dining options, and the social scene is fairly broad, anchored by the relocated Old Town School of Folk Music. Neither area can hold a candle to the "sports bars" of Wrigleyville, and tend to attract far more families...

Entering northbound Edens is easy enough at Foster, but the backups that happen due to the configuration of Cicero exit make that intersection considerable less pleasant for the evening ride back. Surface routes also backup due to limited crossing from the North Branch of the Chicago River. Those last few blocks can really move slowly...

[dan1024]

I live in Ravenswood, it definitely is more quiet than some of the surrounding neighborhoods. I am looking to move someone that is more vibrant and exciting, i.e. Lakeview or LP. I sometimes take the route north for commuting, let me tell you it is pretty rough. If you can handle the gridlock you may be ok, but if you're someone like me who has road rage tendencies, it may not be worth the trouble.