The Metra Commuter Rail connects Chicago, IL and Summit, IL over a 495-mile route operated by Metra, calling at 8 stations across 2 states.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- Metra
- Service type
- Commuter Rail
- Endpoints
- Chicago ↔ Summit
- Distance
- 495 mi
- Frequency
- Network of 11 lines, weekday peak and reverse-peak
- Stations
- 8
- States served
- 2 (IL, IN)
- Typical fare range
- $4 – $11
Route guide
The Metra Commuter Rail is a commuter rail service operated by Metra. Trains run Network of 11 lines, weekday peak and reverse-peak over 495 miles of mainline track between Chicago Union Station and Summit, calling at 8 intermediate and terminal stations across 2 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.
What to watch for: Skyline departures from Union Station, Ogilvie Transportation Center, LaSalle Street Station, and Millennium Station.
History & service notes
Created in 1984 as the regional commuter authority of metropolitan Chicago, Metra operates the second-largest commuter rail network in the United States by route mileage. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.
Equipment
Typical consist on the Metra Commuter Rail includes bi-level Pullman, Nippon-Sharyo, and Highliner electric cars. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.
Stops along the route
Stations are listed in geographical order from Chicago to Summit. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.
- Chicago Union Station — Chicago, IL
- Naperville — Naperville, IL
- Glenview — Glenview, IL
- Homewood — Homewood, IL
- Joliet — Joliet, IL
- Hammond–Whiting — Hammond, IN
- Kankakee — Kankakee, IL
- Summit — Summit, IL
Sample fares & travel times
Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.
| From | To | Distance | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Naperville | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Naperville | Glenview | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Glenview | Homewood | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Homewood | Joliet | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Joliet | Hammond | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Hammond | Kankakee | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Kankakee | Summit | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $13 |
| Naperville | Summit | 424 mi | 8h 39m | $8 – $13 |
| Chicago | Glenview | 141 mi | 2h 59m | $8 – $13 |
| Glenview | Summit | 354 mi | 7h 15m | $8 – $13 |
| Chicago | Homewood | 212 mi | 4h 24m | $8 – $13 |
| Homewood | Summit | 283 mi | 5h 50m | $8 – $13 |
| Chicago | Joliet | 283 mi | 5h 50m | $8 – $13 |
| Joliet | Summit | 212 mi | 4h 24m | $8 – $13 |
| Chicago | Hammond | 354 mi | 7h 15m | $8 – $13 |
| Hammond | Summit | 141 mi | 2h 59m | $8 – $13 |
| Chicago | Kankakee | 424 mi | 8h 39m | $8 – $13 |
| Naperville | Joliet | 212 mi | 4h 24m | $8 – $13 |
Connections & transfers
Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Chicago, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Summit. The corridor passes through cities including Chicago, Naperville, and Summit, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.
Further Reading on the Metra Commuter Rail
- Riding the Metra Commuter Rail: a first-timer's full-route diary
- Best window seats and viewing tips along the line