The Metra Milwaukee District North Line is a commuter line of the Metra commuter rail system, running from Chicago Union Station to Fox Lake, Illinois. There are 22 Stations and a distance of about 49 miles to suburban communities such as River Grove, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Libertyville, and Grayslake. The route is aimed at suburban commuters to Chicago, and operates on weekdays and weekends with rush hour period extra service.
Trains have disability accessible cars, and off-peak trains allow bicycles. Riders can purchase tickets through the Ventra app, ticket agents, or onboard (if no ticket office is open). The line transfers passengers to CTA buses and trains in Union Station, a major link in the area’s public transportation networks. Or for a comfortable seat and scenic suburban views, the Milwaukee District North Line is an efficient and reliable way to avoid driving into the city.
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Overview
Below is the station Overview.
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Line Name | Milwaukee District North (MD-N) Line |
| Operator | Metra |
| Track Ownership | Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), operated by Metra |
| Downtown Terminal | Union Station – 210 S Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606 |
| Northern Terminus | Fox Lake, IL |
| Total Line Length | Approx. 49 miles |
| Number of Stations | 22 stations between Chicago and Fox Lake |
| Key Suburban Stops | Glenview, Deerfield, Libertyville, Grayslake, Fox Lake |
| Service Frequency | Regular weekday service with limited weekend trains |
| Service Days | 7 days a week (weekend service available) |
| Average End-to-End Time | ~1 hour 40 minutes (Union Station to Fox Lake) |
| Fare Zones | Zones A through J |
| Key Transfer Points | - Union Station (CTA, Amtrak, other Metra lines) - Western Ave (MD-W, NCS) - Glenview (Amtrak) |
| Amtrak Connection | Glenview Station (Empire Builder, Hiawatha Service) |
| Pace Bus Connections | Available at multiple stations (e.g., Glenview, Morton Grove, Fox Lake) |
| CTA Connections | Union Station – CTA Blue Line (Clinton), Red Line (via walk) |
| Park & Ride | Available at most suburban stations |
| Accessibility | All stations ADA accessible |
| Bike Facilities | Many trains have bike racks |
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Parking Information
General Parking Information
- Most stations along the line offer parking, particularly in the suburbs such as Glenview, Deerfield, and Northbrook.
- Parking, if available, is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and if it is not free, then it must be purchased from the town or third-party operator (e.g., SP+ Parking) that operates the facility and NOT from Metra itself.
- Daily Parking Payable each day, which is often done at meters, kiosks, or apps.
- Permit Parking Monthly permits are available, often more affordable for daily commuters.
- ADA Parking: Almost all parking facilities have accessible parking.
Station Parking Information
1. Northbrook Station:
- Over 700 parking spaces
- All lots are daily fee-based
- ADA spots available
2. Deerfield Station:
- 13 lots available
- A combination of permit and daily parking
- Just a short walk to downtown Deerfield
3. Glenview Station:
- Over 700 spaces
- A combination of permit-only and daily pay lots
- ADA-accessible spaces provided
4. Prairie Crossing (Libertyville):
- Around 370+ spaces
- Mostly daily parking with some permit areas.
- Ample ADA parking
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Stations
- Union Station
- Western Avenue
- Healy
- Grayland
- Mayfair
- Forest Glen
- Edgebrook
- Morton Grove
- Golf
- Glenview
- Glen of North Glenview
- Northbrook
- Lake Cook Road
- Deerfield
- Lake Forest
- Libertyville
- Prairie Crossing / Libertyville
- Grayslake
- Round Lake
- Long Lake
- Ingleside
- Fox Lake
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Nearby Attractions
- Willis Tower
- Chicago Riverwalk
- Old Post Office
- The 606 Trail
- North Park Village Nature Center
- LaBagh Woods
- Edgebrook Golf Course
- North Branch Trail
- Harrer Park
- Morton Grove Historical Museum
- Glenview Golf Club
- Wagner Farm
- The Glen Town Center
- Kohl Children’s Museum
- Glenview Park Golf Club
- Northbrook Court Mall
- Chicago Botanic Garden
- Market Square (Lake Forest)
- Lake Forest College
- Libertyville Sports Complex
- Main Street Libertyville
- Independence Grove Forest Preserve
- Des Plaines River Trail
- Rollins Savannah Forest Preserve
- College of Lake County
- Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center
- Grant Woods Forest Preserve
- Fox Lake Marina
- Chain O’Lakes State Park
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Transfers and Connections
1. Union Station (Chicago)
Location: 210 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606
Transfer Options:
- (Metra Station Lines: Naperville/BNS, Southwest Service, Milwaukee West Line, North Central Service & Heritage Corridor)
- Amtrak: Long-haul Intrastate routes (Empire Builder, California Zephyr)
CTA:
- Blue Line: Transfer at Clinton Station (subway level).
- Red Line: short walk to Jackson Station
- Bus: Several CTA and Pace bus lines serve the area
2. Western Avenue (Chicago)
Transfer Options:
- Connecting service MD-W and NCS at shared tracks
- Good for connections between Metra’s non-Union Station lines
- CTA Bus routes serve the area
3. Morton Grove Station
Connections:
- CTA Bus (Route 250)
- Pace Buses: Bus service for Skokie, Glenview, and Golf Mill Shopping Center
4. Glenview Station
Transfer Options:
- Amtrak (with connection by Hiawatha Service (Chicago–Milwaukee) and Empire Builder
- Pace Bus terminal: servicing Route 423, 208, and 210.
- Park & Ride lot available
5. North Glenview (The Glen)
- Hub for Pace buses and local offices, serves suburban commuters
- Amtrak Note: For operational reasons, North Glenview is offered instead of Glenview as a future Amtrak station
6. Libertyville Station
- This region is primarily served by Pace Bus Route 574.
- The taxi and ride services locally are NSIndexPath
7. Grayslake Station
- Close to College of Lake County (CLC)
- Operates Pace Route 570 (to Gurnee and CLC)
8. Fox Lake Station (Terminal Station)
Connections:
- The Pace 570 bus route also serves the community
- Near Chain O’Lakes recreation area
- Park & Ride facility
- Some seasonal transportation services
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Schedule
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Weekday Schedule
| Time Period | Service Hours | Number of Trips | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Peak | ~4:40 AM – 9:00 AM | Varies | About every 20-30 minutes | Express and local trains |
| Midday | ~9:00 AM – 3:30 PM | Varies | Approximately hourly | Local trains only |
| Afternoon Peak | ~3:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Varies | About every 20-30 minutes | Express and local trains |
| Evening/Night | ~7:00 PM – 2:15 AM (next day) | Varies | Approximately hourly or less frequent | Mostly local service |
| Total Trips | — | 54 | — | Service enhancements since Dec 2022 |
Metra Milwaukee District North Line Weekends Schedule
| Day | Service Hours | Number of Trips | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 5:35 PM – 7:54 PM | 2 | Limited | One train short-turns at Lake Forest |
| Sunday | 5:38 AM – 1:57 AM (next day) | 18 | Approximately hourly | Full service, less frequent than weekdays |
Q. Where does the Milwaukee District North Line go?
- The line travels from Chicago Union Station to Fox Lake, passing several northern suburbs such as Evanston, Skokie, Wheeling, and Mundelein.
Q. What are the top stations on the Milwaukee District North Line?
Key stops include:
- Chicago Union Station (beginning/end point)
- Skokie
- Wheeling
- Deerfield
- Mundelein
- Fox Lake (final destination)
Q. How long does the trip take from Chicago to Fox Lake?
- The trip from Chicago Union Station to Fox Lake lasts approximately an hour and a half, depending on the train.
Q. Can I buy tickets online?
- Yes, you can purchase tickets through the Metra app or the Metra website, buy them at the station using ticket machines, or buy paper tickets from a conductor while on board.
Q. Can I park at stations?
- Free and Paid Parking Most Milwaukee District North Line stations qualify for free or paid parking. Availability may vary by station and time of day.
Q. What is the address of the starting terminal of the Milwaukee District North Line in Chicago?
- The Milwaukee district North line originates at the Chicago Union Station, which is at 210 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL, 60606, United States.
