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.
- Route 541 – Northeast Elgin
- Route 542 – Bluff City
- Route 543 – Dundee-Carpentersville
- Route 546 – Orange-Walnut
- Route 547 – Wing Park
- Route 548 – Highland
- Route 549 – South Randall
- Route 552 – North State – Spring Hill Mall
- Route 554 – Elgin – Woodfield
- Route 801 – Elgin-Geneva
- Route 803 – Carpentersville Local
- 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
- Take IL Rt. 25 OR IL Rt. 31. OR Randall Rd OR IL Rt. 47. South towards I-90.
- All four routes pass through Northern Fox River Valley communities.
From the South
- Take IL Rt. 25 OR IL Rt. 31. OR Randall Rd. OR IL Rt. 47. North towards I-90.
- All four routes pass through Northern Fox River Valley communities.
From the East
- Take I-90 West to Rockford approximately 38 miles.
- Look for Elgin exits (i.e. IL Rt. 25, IL Rt. 31, Randall Rd.).
From the West
- Take I-90 East to Chicago approximately 38 miles.
- Look for Elgin exits (i.e. IL Rt. 25, IL Rt. 31, Randall Rd.).
Drive times to the Northern Fox River Valley
Starting location | Drive Time |
Carbondale, IL | 390 Minutes |
Champaign/Urbana, IL | 161 Minutes |
Chicago, IL | 45 Minutes |
Columbus, OH | 480 Minutes |
Galena, IL | 141 Minutes |
Indianapolis, IN | 240 Minutes |
Madison, WI | 105 Minutes |
Michigan City, IN | 120 Minutes |
Milwaukee, WI | 90 Minutes |
Quad Cities, IL | 175 Minutes |
Rockford, IL | 45 Minutes |