Getting to the Northern Fox River Valley & getting around

The Northern Fox River Valley in Illinois is conveniently located only 45 minutes from downtown Chicago, and 30 minutes from O’Hare International Airport.

The area is well served by public transit. The main communities of Elgin and Bartlett are on a Metra train route, and it is easy to get around the area with extensive Pace bus routes.

Metra train stops & schedule for the Northern Fox River Valley

The Metra train route from Chicago to Elgin is the Milwaukee District/West Line (MD-W). There are four Metra stops in the Elgin area, including Elgin and Bartlett. Click here for the Metra schedule for Chicago to Elgin

Pace bus routes in the Northern Fox River Valley

The Pace suburban bus service operates 12 routes in the Northern Fox River Valley.

1. Route 541 – Northeast Elgin
2. Route 542 – Bluff City
3. Route 543 – Dundee-Carpentersville
4. Route 546 – Orange-Walnut
5. Route 547 – Wing Park
6. Route 548 – Highland
7. Route 549 – South Randall
8. Route 552 – North State – Spring Hill Mall
9. Route 554 – Elgin – Woodfield
10. Route 801 – Elgin-Geneva
11. Route 803 – Carpentersville Local
12. Route 550 – Big Timber-North Randall

Visit the Pace website for more information on getting around the Northern Fox River Valley by bus.

Driving directions to the Northern Fox River Valley

The Northern Fox River Valley’s communities are located off Interstate 90. Following are general driving directions to the Northern Fox River Valley and drive times from cities nearby. For interactive maps and direction click here.

Driving directions to the Northern Fox River Valley

From the North

1. Take IL Rt. 25 OR IL Rt. 31. OR Randall Rd OR IL Rt. 47. South towards I-90.
2. All four routes pass through Northern Fox River Valley communities.

From the South

1. Take IL Rt. 25 OR IL Rt. 31. OR Randall Rd. OR IL Rt. 47. North towards I-90.
2. All four routes pass through Northern Fox River Valley communities.

From the East

1. Take I-90 West to Rockford approximately 38 miles.
2. Look for Elgin exits (i.e. IL Rt. 25, IL Rt. 31, Randall Rd.).

From the West

1. Take I-90 East to Chicago approximately 38 miles.
2. Look for Elgin exits (i.e. IL Rt. 25, IL Rt. 31, Randall Rd.).

Drive times to the Northern Fox River Valley