Hyde Park to Evanston

Question

Hi there, I’m looking for advice on the *fastest* way to get from the University of Chicago Hyde Park campus to Northwestern Evanston campus on a Friday at around 12 noon. Uber, train, bus, some combination??

I was thinking we’d just pay for an Uber, but someone suggested to me that the train or some combo of uber and public transportation could be faster if there’s lots of traffic. So I’m here looking for any suggestions, thoughts, etc. Thanks in advance!

Answer

Traveling from the University of Chicago in Hyde Park to Northwestern University in Evanston around noon on a Friday can be tricky because you are crossing the city during a fairly busy time. The “fastest” option depends on real-time traffic, but here’s a breakdown of the main choices:

Uber/Lyft: Direct rides are the most convenient and require no transfers. At noon on a Friday, traffic is moderate, so the trip typically takes 45–60 minutes. Surge pricing may apply. If you have luggage or prefer door-to-door service, this is often the easiest option.
CTA Train (El): You can take the Green Line or Red Line to transfer north to the Purple Line Express toward Evanston. One common route is:
- Walk or take a short Uber to the 53rd/University of Chicago Green Line station.
- Take the Green Line to the Loop (Washington/Wabash).
- Transfer to the Red Line north to Howard.
- From Howard, take the Purple Line Express to Evanston (Main campus stop near Northwestern).
This option costs around $5–$6 per person and avoids traffic, but with transfers and walking, it can take about 70–90 minutes.
Bus: Multiple CTA buses can connect you to the Red or Purple Line, but buses are slower and less predictable for cross-town travel. Usually not recommended if speed is your priority.
Combination (Uber + Train): Taking an Uber to the nearest El station for a direct Purple Line Express from Howard can sometimes save time if you want to minimize transfers. For example, Uber from Hyde Park to Howard (~20–25 minutes depending on traffic) and then take the Purple Line Express to Evanston (~20 minutes). This can shave off walking time but depends on traffic to Howard.

Summary: For a single person or small group without heavy luggage, Uber/Lyft is likely the fastest and most convenient choice around noon. The train can avoid traffic but requires multiple transfers and can be slower overall. If you’re concerned about traffic, using the combination of Uber to Howard and Purple Line Express is a good hybrid option.

Tip: Check a real-time app like Google Maps or the CTA tracker right before departure. Traffic and train schedules vary, and Friday midday is generally moderate, so either Uber or the hybrid can be reasonable.

Hyde Park to Evanston

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