Park-n-Ride Chicago along I-88
June 5, 2012 11:00 AM Subscribe
Can I park overnight at the Forest Park station in Chicago?
Hi. I'm rolling into Chicago from the West along I-88 and would like to avoid the $40/day parking downtown. Forest Park station looks like a good option to park-n-ride at $5 per 12-hours. But can I leave my car over night? Am I likely to have my car messed with? I'll be downtown Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
Thanks!
Hi. I'm rolling into Chicago from the West along I-88 and would like to avoid the $40/day parking downtown. Forest Park station looks like a good option to park-n-ride at $5 per 12-hours. But can I leave my car over night? Am I likely to have my car messed with? I'll be downtown Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
Thanks!
Considering there's no 24-hour rate listed, I'm going to say no. I agree with Wretch729, call to confirm.
However, there are also plenty of lots in downtown Chicago that don't charge $40 a day, particularly in the South Loop. SpotHero is a useful tool to find the best rates.
posted by me3dia at 11:41 AM on June 5, 2012
However, there are also plenty of lots in downtown Chicago that don't charge $40 a day, particularly in the South Loop. SpotHero is a useful tool to find the best rates.
posted by me3dia at 11:41 AM on June 5, 2012
According to the CPS website, the lot operates 24 hours. But yes, I would call to confirm. Because it's the terminus of a 24-hour train line, I don't think I'd be too worried about things happening to the car. (I assume they have staff there 24/7.) Maybe just be specific about where in the lot you choose to park.
posted by lholladay at 11:42 AM on June 5, 2012
posted by lholladay at 11:42 AM on June 5, 2012
By the way, found a similar question elsewhere online and one person suggested if you can find nothing else you could try getting an oil change done at a metro-convenient service station and telling them you'll pick the car up Sunday afternoon. Worth a shot if you get desperate.
posted by Wretch729 at 11:44 AM on June 5, 2012
posted by Wretch729 at 11:44 AM on June 5, 2012
It's actually in the town of Forest Park, and I wouldn't leave my car there unless there was 24hr security.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 11:45 AM on June 5, 2012
posted by SuperSquirrel at 11:45 AM on June 5, 2012
The standard way to pull this trick off is to put the car somewhere where they expect cars to be left all day. Namely, an airport. However, the Rosemont and Cumberland stations on the Chicago L explicitly support long term parking. According to the CTA's parking page, it's $12 for 24 hours, and Cumberland mentions $12 for each additional 24 hours.
Cumberland is also one more stop in than Rosemont, and has a parking deck, so you get covered parking in most cases, so I'd go there.
You'll need to go north on the Tri-State (I-294) from I-88, and then head into Chicago on the Kennedy (I-90, becomes I-90/94 later) You'll want to be in the right lane, because the first exit will be the one you need -- south on Cumberland, then a fast right into the parking area.
posted by eriko at 12:29 PM on June 5, 2012
Cumberland is also one more stop in than Rosemont, and has a parking deck, so you get covered parking in most cases, so I'd go there.
You'll need to go north on the Tri-State (I-294) from I-88, and then head into Chicago on the Kennedy (I-90, becomes I-90/94 later) You'll want to be in the right lane, because the first exit will be the one you need -- south on Cumberland, then a fast right into the parking area.
posted by eriko at 12:29 PM on June 5, 2012
This is a big super top secret thing, so don't tell anyone, but there is a strip of free street parking on State a for a few blocks south of the Roosevelt stop. The only (unless they've changed the rules recently) rule is that you can't park there if there's an event going on at Soldier Field. But otherwise, you're golden. It's usually only 3/4 full.
Go, park for free overnight in front of a row of homes on a well-populated street, and take the Red/Green/Orange to do whatever it is you need to do downtown.
And if you get there and there isn't anything available, there's a lot on...hmm...I want to say maybe Polk and Wells or LaSalle (?) that (at least back about two years ago) was $14 bucks overnight.
posted by phunniemee at 2:00 PM on June 5, 2012
Go, park for free overnight in front of a row of homes on a well-populated street, and take the Red/Green/Orange to do whatever it is you need to do downtown.
And if you get there and there isn't anything available, there's a lot on...hmm...I want to say maybe Polk and Wells or LaSalle (?) that (at least back about two years ago) was $14 bucks overnight.
posted by phunniemee at 2:00 PM on June 5, 2012
Another option would be to find a Metra line with 24 hour parking at a terminal and park there. A lot of the little towns have municipal parking lots with free/cheap parking that is close to the rail station.
posted by gjc at 2:14 PM on June 5, 2012
posted by gjc at 2:14 PM on June 5, 2012
The farther you get away from the city the safer your car will be and with Metra, getting downtown is easy and not that expensive.
I live in the burbs and while parking does cost a little money, weekends are pretty much free depending on what lot you choose. It is all very safe and within a couple of blocks of the train station. On weekends, trains run every hour and the trip to the city is about an hour or so. Not sure what the fare is, but it won't break the bank.
I would recommend Downers Grove though. The reasons are that it is a bit easier to get to from I88 and they have a multi-level parking garage that allows for 24 hr parking. Other towns don't always offer that. The garage is a 5 minute walk from the Metra Station. I88 is not that far of a drive from the DG Metra station either. Get off I88 and it is a straight shot.
Here is the brochure (PDF) for parking in DG. Note that weekends from Friday afternoon through Sunday, parking is free You can call the town admin at 630-434-5500 for a better answer about what will work and what doesn't. Alternately, if you want to get closer to the city (to have a shorter train ride) there are plenty of other suburban towns that have the same setup surrounding Chicago , although some have better parking than others. Be sure to call and get the definitive answer from the town or risk being towed.
Anyway, you have lots of options if you don't mind riding the train for a few more minutes in and out of the city.
posted by lampshade at 2:18 PM on June 5, 2012
I live in the burbs and while parking does cost a little money, weekends are pretty much free depending on what lot you choose. It is all very safe and within a couple of blocks of the train station. On weekends, trains run every hour and the trip to the city is about an hour or so. Not sure what the fare is, but it won't break the bank.
I would recommend Downers Grove though. The reasons are that it is a bit easier to get to from I88 and they have a multi-level parking garage that allows for 24 hr parking. Other towns don't always offer that. The garage is a 5 minute walk from the Metra Station. I88 is not that far of a drive from the DG Metra station either. Get off I88 and it is a straight shot.
Here is the brochure (PDF) for parking in DG. Note that weekends from Friday afternoon through Sunday, parking is free You can call the town admin at 630-434-5500 for a better answer about what will work and what doesn't. Alternately, if you want to get closer to the city (to have a shorter train ride) there are plenty of other suburban towns that have the same setup surrounding Chicago , although some have better parking than others. Be sure to call and get the definitive answer from the town or risk being towed.
Anyway, you have lots of options if you don't mind riding the train for a few more minutes in and out of the city.
posted by lampshade at 2:18 PM on June 5, 2012
@phunniemee: SHHH! I work on Wabash and 13th, PLEASE PLEASE don't tell people about our super secret free parking on State!
But if you do, you should note it is only free between 9AM and 4PM on weekdays. I don't know about weekends since I try to avoid going to the office then.
posted by deliciae at 4:57 PM on June 5, 2012
But if you do, you should note it is only free between 9AM and 4PM on weekdays. I don't know about weekends since I try to avoid going to the office then.
posted by deliciae at 4:57 PM on June 5, 2012
Really?! I wonder how recent that is...I've definitely parked overnight there before. (Maybe I just got lucky!)
posted by phunniemee at 5:48 PM on June 5, 2012
posted by phunniemee at 5:48 PM on June 5, 2012
The forest park lot is a pay and display lot- you would likely be limited to only 12 hours at a time. Another option is to park in the oak park at the north blvd garage just off the green line oak park ave stop. It would cost $15 for 24 hours and they have a security office on site. The main issue might be that the green line does not run 24hours.
posted by zenon at 7:54 PM on June 5, 2012
posted by zenon at 7:54 PM on June 5, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
Even if they say no and you decide to defy them, how would they ever know?
posted by Wretch729 at 11:38 AM on June 5, 2012