The Metra Milwaukee District West Line (MD-W) is a commuter rail line in the Chicago metropolitan area that runs northwest from Union Station (the previous Northwestern Station) to Elgin, Illinois. The line is a reliable and convenient mode of transportation for suburban commuters from such communities as Oak Park, Elmhurst, and Villa Park to Chicago’s downtown Loop District.
Featuring about 40 miles of track, the Metra Milwaukee District West Line shuttles daily passengers on the go and those wanting a casual ride near several bustling suburban spots. The line primarily runs during weekday rush hours, but it is a crucial part of the Metra system for the western suburbs.
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Overview
Below is the station Overview.
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Key Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | Chicago Union Station ↔ Elgin |
| Total Stations | 22 |
| Service Days | Weekdays & Weekends |
| Main Terminals | Chicago Union Station (East), Elgin (West) |
| Major Stops | Elmwood Park, Franklin Park, Itasca, Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Elgin |
| Connections | CTA buses/trains, Pace buses, connections to MD-N and other Metra lines |
| Travel Time | ~1 hour 20 minutes end-to-end (approximate) |
| Fare Zones | Zones A to H |
| Onboard Facilities | Bike-friendly trains, ADA accessible coaches |
| Parking Availability | Most stations offer daily and permit parking |
| Train Frequency | Frequent during peak hours; reduced on weekends |
| Weekend Service | Yes – Limited service |
| Transfer Opportunities | Chicago Union Station offers transfers to Amtrak and other Metra lines |
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Parking Information
1. Western Avenue Station
- Total Parking Spaces: 21 spaces available.
- ADA Accessible Parking: 2 spaces for people with disabilities.
- Parking: Daily and permit parking are both available.
- Payment Information: Daily parking is available using the Parkmobile app.
2. Franklin Park Station
- Total Parking Spaces: 223 spaces available.
- Parking ADA Accessible: 7 designated spaces.
- Parking: Both daily and permit parking.
- Payment Note: Parking is enforced by the Village of Franklin Park. There is permit parking, which you can obtain by calling the village.
3. Galewood Station
- Total Parking Spaces: 97Spaces (All daily-only parking)
- ADA Accessible Parking: 5 disabled parking spaces are available.
- Parking Facilities: There is daily parking only.
- Payment: Pay by Phone with the Parkmobile app for daily parking.
4. Mont Clare Station
- Total Parking Spaces: 189 spaces (Including 4 daily-only spaces).
- ADA Parking: ADA Accessible Parking: 5 parking spaces provided for ADA access.
- Parking: Offers Permit and daily parking options.
- Payment Information: Parking is operated by SP+ Parking. Daily parking rates are available using the Parkmobile app.
5. Elmwood Park Station
- Total Parking: 116 spaces available.
- Location ADA Accessible Parking: 5 accessible spaces.
- Parking: Daily and permit parking is available.
6. River Grove Station
- Total Parking Spaces: 170 stalls (permit-only = 100, daily-only = 70).
- ADA Compliant Parking: 8 ADA spaces available.
- Parking Options: The parking we see offers both permit-only and daily-only.
- Pricing: SP+ Parking manages the on-site parking, and Parkmobile is for daily parking.
7. Itasca Station
- Total Parking: Approximately 360 vehicle spaces.
- ADA Accessible Parking: 9 spaces available for persons with disabilities.
- Parking: Permit and daily parking are offered.
- Payment: It’s about $1.50 a day to park daily, and permits are priced differently for residents and non-residents. For permits, contact local officials.
8. Mannheim Station
- Parking Total: About 30 spaces.
- ADA Accessible Parking: No ADA accessible parking available at this station.
- Parking Available: Daily parking only.
- Payment Info: There is parking on the street of your block (but be aware that this can be limited!).
9. Big Timber Road Station
- Total Parking Spaces: 722, the most parking spaces of any parking lot on the line.
- ADA Parking: There are a few spaces that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Parking Options: If you use it a lot, there is daily and permit parking available.
- Payment: Operated by SP+ Parking, or you can use the Parkmobile app or parking meters.
10. Chicago Union Station (CUS)
- Total Parking Spaces: No parking directly controlled by Metra.
- Parking: Both Convocation Center lots have accessible parking.
- Parking: There are several private parking garages and street parking available throughout Union Station.
- Payment Information: If you plan to park in the garage, purchase spots before you arrive using apps like SpotHero or ParkWhiz.
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Stations List
- Chicago Union Station
- Mannheim
- River Grove
- Elmwood Park
- Mont Clare
- Galewood
- Franklin Park
- Western Avenue
- Maywood
- Melrose Park
- Oak Park
- Forest Park
- River Forest
- Berwyn
- Cicero
- Hinsdale
- Westmont
- Clarendon Hills
- Downers Grove
- Lisle
- Naperville
- Aurora
- Elgin
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Nearby Attractions
- Willis Tower Skydeck
- The Chicago Riverwalk
- Brookfield Zoo
- Oakbrook Center
- Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
- Ernest Hemingway Museum
- The Morton Arboretum
- Naperville Riverwalk
- Naper Settlement
- Paramount Theatre (Aurora)
- Fox River Trail (Naperville & Aurora)
- The Elgin History Museum
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Transfers and Connections Lines
1. Union Station (Chicago)
Connection to:
- Metra BNSF Railway Line
- Metra North Central Service Line
- Metra Rock Island District Line
- Metra SouthWest Service Line
- Metra Union Pacific North Line
- Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line
- Metra Union Pacific West Line
- Amtrak: Various routes, including the California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Cardinal.
2. Mannheim
Connection to:
- Pace Bus 315 serves the north suburbs such as Maywood and Franklin Park.
3. River Grove
Connection to:
- Pace Bus Route 307 serves Connecting communities, including Elmwood Park and Franklin Park.
4. Elmwood Park
Connection to:
- Pace Bus Routes 307 and 330 provide local bus connections around the Oak Park and Cicero areas.
5. Mont Clare
Connection to:
- Pace Suburban Bus Route 307 local, with service to neighboring communities, including Oak Park and Cicero.
6. Galewood
Connection to:
- There are also connections to the surrounding communities on the Pace Bus Route 317.
7. Franklin Park
Connection to:
- Pace Bus Route 303, Franklin Park and environs.
8. Western Avenue
Connection to:
- CTA Green Line offers access to downtown Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods.
9. Maywood
Connection to:
- Pace Bus 306, 330, connect to Oak Park, Berwyn, and the west suburbs.
10. Melrose Park
Connection to:
- Pace 307, 315, service from Melrose Park and Oak Park to other suburbs.
11. Oak Park
Connection to:
- CTA Green Line, direct to downtown Chicago and the neighborhoods.
- Blue Line is accessible for broader citywide connections.
12. Forest Park
Connection to:
- The CTA Blue Line takes you straight downtown to Chicago and neighborhoods such as Logan Square and Wicker Park.
13. River Forest
Connection to:
- CTA Green Line quick ride to downtown and many west side neighborhoods.
14. Berwyn
Connection to:
- Route Pace Bus 310 Berwyn area and beyond.
15. Cicero
Connection to:
- Other Pace Bus Routes 312 and 303 serve Cicero and the local communities.
16. Hinsdale
Connection to:
- Pace Bus Route 688 Connecting Hinsdale-Downers Grove feeder.
17. Westmont
Connection to:
- Pace 681 and 682 Westmont and vicinity.
18. Clarendon Hills
Connection to:
- Pace Bus Route 683 in the Clarendon Hills area.
19. Downers Grove
Connection to:
- Quicker than US Bus Routes 681 and 682, Downers Grove, Lisle & beyond.
20. Lisle
Connection to:
- Pace operates 715 and 722, buses to Lisle and the surrounding areas.
21. Naperville
Connection to:
- Pace Bus Routes 530, 531, and 540 serve Naperville and the surrounding suburban areas.
- Metra BNSF Railway Line connecting in Chicago.
22. Aurora
Connection to:
- (transfer at Aurora for points toward Chicago) Metra BNSF Railway Line.
- Pace Bus Routes 530, 528, and 531 serve Aurora and the surrounding areas.
23. Elgin
Connection to:
- Pace Bus Route 802 provides service to and from Elgin and neighboring areas.
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Schedule
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Weekday Schedule
| Train Type | Chicago Union Station Departure | Key Stations (Outbound) | Key Stations (Inbound) | Departure Time Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Rush | Chicago Union Station to Elgin/Aurora | Mannheim, River Grove, Elmwood Park, Oak Park, etc. | Oak Park, Elmwood Park, River Grove, Mannheim, etc. | 5:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
| Evening Rush | Elgin/Aurora to Chicago Union Station | Westmont, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Berwyn, etc. | Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Westmont, etc. | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
| Midday | Chicago Union Station to Elgin/Aurora | Melrose Park, Maywood, Franklin Park, etc. | Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Maywood, etc. | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| Late Evening | Elgin/Aurora to Chicago Union Station | River Forest, Forest Park, Oak Park, etc. | Oak Park, Forest Park, River Forest, etc. | After 7:00 PM |
Metra Milwaukee District West Line Weekend Schedule
| Train Type | Chicago Union Station Departure | Key Stations (Outbound) | Key Stations (Inbound) | Departure Time Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Chicago Union Station to Elgin/Aurora | Mannheim, River Grove, Elmwood Park, Oak Park, etc. | Oak Park, Elmwood Park, River Grove, Mannheim, etc. | 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
| Midday | Chicago Union Station to Elgin/Aurora | Melrose Park, Maywood, Franklin Park, etc. | Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Maywood, etc. | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM |
| Afternoon/Evening | Elgin/Aurora to Chicago Union Station | River Forest, Forest Park, Oak Park, etc. | Oak Park, Forest Park, River Forest, etc. | 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Metra Milwaukee District West Line – Fare Information
| Ticket Type | Adult Fare | Senior/Disabled Fare | Youth Fare (6-11) | Children (Under 6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket | $3.00 - $9.50 | $1.50 - $4.75 | $1.50 - $4.75 | Free |
| Round-Trip Ticket | $6.00 - $19.00 | $3.00 - $9.50 | $3.00 - $9.50 | Free |
| 10-Ride Ticket | $27.00 - $90.00 | $13.50 - $45.00 | $13.50 - $45.00 | Free |
| Monthly Pass | $120.00 - $360.00 | $60.00 - $180.00 | $60.00 - $180.00 | Free |
| Weekend Pass | $10.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 | Free |
| Veterans Fare | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.00 | Free |
| Group Tickets | $2.50 (per person for groups of 10 or more) | $2.50 (per person for groups of 10 or more) | $2.50 (per person for groups of 10 or more) | Free (for children under 6) |
Q. What is the cost of a Metra Milwaukee District West Line ticket?
- Fare varies by station and distance. Single rides range from a minimum of $3.00 to a maximum fare of $9.50 one way.
- Discounts are available for seniors, youth, and veterans. For the average commuter, a 10-ride ticket or a monthly pass adds even more savings.
Q. What train stations are on the Metra Milwaukee District West Line?
- Key transfer stops along the Metra Milwaukee District West line include Chicago Union Station, Elmwood Park, Oak Park, Berwyn, Cicero, Downers Grove, Naperville, and Aurora. The line serves the downtown area of Chicago and its western suburbs.
Q. Is there Metra Milwaukee District West Line weekend service on Saturday and Sunday?
- Yes, the Metra Milwaukee District West Line operates on weekends with limited schedules.
- Trains run on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with fewer trains compared to weekdays.
Q. Is there a way to transfer to other Metra lines from the Milwaukee District West Line?
- Yes, you can swap to and from other Metra lines at Chicago Union Station. It links to the Metra BNSF Railway Line, Metra North Central Service Line, and Metra Rock Island District Line.
Q. Is there a discount for seniors and disabled individuals?
- Yes, seniors (ages 65 and older) and people with disabilities receive half-price fares on the Metra Milwaukee District West Line. The discounted fares apply to both one-way tickets and monthly passes.
Q. How do I buy a ticket on the Metra Milwaukee District West Line?
- Tickets can be purchased on ticket vending machines located at stations, in the Metra mobile app, and online through the Metra website. You can buy a single-ride, round-trip, 10-ride ticket, or a monthly pass.
