Where, specifically, to meet on a weekday morning, near Chicago

October 2, 2014 7:34 PM

Next week, on a weekday morning, I need to meet up with a friend near Chicago. She'll be coming from Peoria in a car; I'll be coming from Logan Square, with a carry-on size suitcase and no car. We'll be driving together to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Can you suggest a specific spot that might work?

Understandably, she does not want to drive all the way in to the city, but we have not been able to figure out a place to meet up that's reasonable for both of us in terms of cost & difficulty. I was thinking of taking Metra to Joliet, but it looks like the train (Heritage Corridor) only runs out-bound from the city in the afternoon. If possible, I'd rather not spend more than $25 on transportation, but if I need to spend more, I will. We have some flexibility on time, though I don't think she'll likely get out of Peoria until 8 or 9. Thanks for any help--my google-fu has failed me!

posted by pril to Travel & Transportation around Chicago, IL (7 answers total)

There are two Metra lines to Joliet; the other one, Rock Island, runs in both directions all day. (And Joliet seems like a reasonable choice in general.)
posted by likedoomsday at 7:46 PM on October 2, 2014

Best answer: There's also a Metra Electric train every hour in the morning from Randolph to Hazel Crest (on the University Park line), which is just off of I-80. Since Hazel Crest is east of Joliet, it might be a better meeting place, especially if your friend doesn't want to leave too early.
posted by brianogilvie at 7:52 PM on October 2, 2014

Best answer: P.S. Since you're going to GR, you could also take the South Shore line to somewhere like Gary or Michigan City, and meet up there, if the schedules turn out to be better.
posted by brianogilvie at 7:57 PM on October 2, 2014

Best answer: Seconding taking the South Shore. The easiest place (IMO) to transfer from the SS to I-94 is Dune Park: link but you can save $1.25 by getting off at Miller instead: link. It definitely fits your budget (8.25/9.50 total), the only kicker is that it's approximately a 2.5 hr journey from Logan to Dune Park link. The one change I would make to that route is to just hoof it from Washington to Millennium if your bag isn't too onerous (you can walk underground from the Washington Blue line to Millennium station if the weather is bad). Good luck and have a great trip!
posted by kaytwo at 9:19 PM on October 2, 2014 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Take the Rock Island train from LaSalle Street Station in Chicago to the Hickory Creek station in Mokena. I'm guessing she'll be taking I80 East from I55 North, so she can meet you at the Hickory Creek train station which is right off the South LaGrange Road/Route 45 exit off of I80 -- probably about a 2 minute drive. Weekday mornings, trains run every hour on the :30, starting at 8:30, and arrive at Hickory Creek in 61 minutes. There are also three trains leaving Chicago between 6:20 and 7:50am if you need to meet her earlier. Weekday schedules are here, and the fare costs $5.75.
posted by jabes at 10:20 AM on October 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I ended up taking the South Shore train out to Dune Park. This worked really well! Thank you for the help!
posted by pril at 6:43 PM on December 2, 2014 [1 favorite]

Glad to have helped, in some degree! I might do the reverse in a few weeks: drive to Dune Park, leave my car there, and then take the South Shore into the city for an urban escape.
posted by brianogilvie at 8:15 PM on December 3, 2014