You'd think getting from a major university hub like DeKalb to a world-class city like Chicago would be a straight shot. Honestly, it is and it isn't. If you’ve lived in DeKalb for more than a week, you know the drill. You’re either a Northern Illinois University student trying to get home for the weekend or a local professional dreading the I-88 tollway.
The distance is roughly 65 miles. Not too bad, right? But the DeKalb IL to Chicago IL trek is less about the miles and more about the strategy. If you leave at 7:00 AM on a Tuesday, you're looking at a soul-crushing two-hour crawl. If you leave at 8:00 PM on a Sunday? You’ll be at the Willis Tower in sixty minutes.
Most people assume their only options are "drive or don't go." That's just not true. You've actually got a mix of heavy rail, shuttle buses, and high-speed tollways that can make the trip surprisingly manageable if you know the hacks.
The Metra Hack: Why You Shouldn't Drive All the Way
Here is the first thing most newcomers get wrong: there is no train station in DeKalb. I know, it's a bummer. But the Elburn Metra Station is only about 15-20 minutes east on Route 38. This is the end of the Union Pacific West (UP-W) line.
Why bother? Because parking in downtown Chicago can cost more than your dinner.
The Elburn station is basically a giant parking lot in the middle of a cornfield. You park for a few bucks, hop on the train, and about an hour and twenty minutes later, you’re stepping out into Ogilvie Transportation Center in the heart of the West Loop.
- Cost: A one-way ticket is usually around $6.75 to $8.25 depending on current Metra fare structures.
- The Vibe: It’s quiet. You can actually get work done or sleep.
- Pro Tip: If you're an NIU student, the Huskie Line (Route 12) runs a shuttle directly from the Holmes Student Center to the Elburn station. It’s cheap—sometimes even free with a student ID—and it saves you from leaving your car at the station.
Braving I-88: The Tollway Reality
If you decide to drive, you’re going to get very familiar with the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88). It’s a straight line. Literally. You could almost fall asleep if the traffic weren't so erratic.
✨ Don't miss: Southampton Long Island Hotel Your Southampton Escape: How to Actually Pick the Right Spot
The tolls are the annoying part. As of 2026, the Illinois Tollway has moved almost entirely to I-PASS or "Pay by Plate." If you don't have an I-PASS transponder, you’ll end up paying double the rate online later. From DeKalb to the city, you'll hit a few major gantries.
Expect to pay roughly $5 to $9 in tolls for a round trip if you have a transponder. Without one? You’re looking at $15+.
Traffic usually bunches up around Aurora and then again near the "Hillside Strangler" where I-88 merges with I-290. If Google Maps shows a dark red line near Oak Brook, just take a deep breath. You’re going to be there for a while.
Greyhound and FlixBus: The Budget Choice
For those who don't want to drive and don't want to mess with the Elburn shuttle, Greyhound and FlixBus are the primary players. They usually pick up right at the Holmes Student Center on the NIU campus.
It’s a direct shot to the Harrison Street station in Chicago.
The catch? Reliability can be hit or miss. I’ve seen buses show up 30 minutes early and others that just... don't show up. But for $20 to $35, it’s hard to beat the price if you’re traveling solo. Just make sure you book at least 48 hours in advance. Prices spike if you try to buy a ticket from the driver (which you often can't even do anymore).
Getting to O’Hare or Midway
This is where it gets tricky. If you’re heading from DeKalb IL to Chicago IL specifically for a flight, do not take the train. The Metra takes you to the West Loop, and then you’d have to haul your luggage onto a CTA Blue Line train for another 45 minutes to get to O'Hare.
That’s a three-hour journey. No thanks.
Instead, look into private regional shuttles like DeKalb O'Hare Limo or Echo Limousine. They aren't "limos" in the prom-night sense; they’re usually clean sedans or SUVs. It’s pricey (think $100-$150), but if you’re splitting it with two friends, it’s comparable to an Uber and much more reliable.
💡 You might also like: Santa Barbara CA Weather 10 Day: What Most People Get Wrong
Uber and Lyft do operate in DeKalb, but getting a driver to agree to a 65-mile trek to Chicago at 4:00 AM is a gamble. Always schedule those in advance, and even then, have a backup plan.
The Route 38 Alternative
Sometimes I-88 is just a parking lot. If there’s a major accident near Naperville, your GPS might tell you to take Route 38 (Lincoln Highway).
Do it.
It’s slower because of the stoplights in Geneva and Wheaton, but it keeps you moving. Plus, you get to pass through some actual towns instead of just looking at sound-proof walls on the interstate. It adds about 20 minutes to the "perfect" I-88 time, but it saves you 40 minutes of stop-and-go frustration during a wreck.
What Most People Forget: The Return Trip
The biggest mistake? Forgetting when the last Metra train leaves Chicago.
If you’re in the city for a concert or a late dinner, you need to be back at Ogilvie by around 10:30 PM or 12:30 AM depending on the day. If you miss that last train to Elburn, you are effectively stranded. An Uber from Chicago back to DeKalb at 1:00 AM will easily set you back $150 or more—if a driver even accepts the trip.
Final Logistics Breakdown
Basically, your choice depends on your priority:
🔗 Read more: Selling the Big Easy: Why New Orleans Real Estate is Thriving Right Now
- Cheapest: Huskie Bus to Elburn + Metra Train ($10 total).
- Fastest (Off-Peak): Driving I-88 (60-70 minutes).
- Most Productive: Metra Train (Free Wi-Fi and coffee at the station).
- Least Stressful: Private Car Service (Door-to-door).
If you’re heading in for a game at Soldier Field or a day at the museums, take the train. If you’re moving furniture or have a car full of people, brave the tollway. Just don't forget to check the "Transit" layer on Google Maps before you leave the driveway.
To get started on your trip, download the Ventra App on your phone. It allows you to buy Metra tickets instantly so you don't have to faff around with the kiosks at the station. Also, double-check the current I-88 construction updates on the Illinois Tollway Virtual Map to ensure your 60-minute drive hasn't turned into a two-hour detour.