Northbrook is close to O'Hare by road but its Metra line points toward downtown rather than the airport. That creates a clear planning choice: use the short I-294-area road trip or build a rail-and-Blue-Line connection.
All Transportation Options From Northbrook
| Option | Cost to ORD | Cost to MDW | Door-to-Door? | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Taxi | $75 sedan / $90 minivan | $123 sedan / $138 minivan | Yes | ORD ~25–35 min / MDW ~45–60 min |
| Uber / Lyft | Live app price — varies by demand | Live app price — varies by demand | Yes | ORD ~25–35 min / MDW ~45–60 min |
| Metra MD-N + CTA/Pace | ~$6–10 | ~$6–10 | No — transfer(s) required | ORD ~75–105 min / MDW ~1.5–2 hr |
| Shared / Private Shuttle | Provider quote — availability varies | Provider quote — availability varies | Depends on service | ORD ~45–80 min / MDW ~70–105 min |
| Drive & Park | Parking + gas/tolls | Parking + gas/tolls | No — parking/terminal transfer remains | ORD ~25–35 min / MDW ~45–60 min + parking time |
Taxi fares above use the current published base sedan rate, with the site's +$15 minivan add-on. Rideshare pricing is intentionally shown as variable because app fares change by time and demand. Transit fares and travel times are approximate planning ranges and should be checked against the current operator schedule before travel.
Drive Times: Northbrook to O'Hare by Time of Day
| Departure Time | Typical Planning Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00am–6:30am | 22–28 min | Light traffic toward I-294 |
| 6:30am–9:00am | 35–45 min | Morning commuter volume can add time |
| 9:00am–3:30pm | 25–32 min | Usually predictable off-peak |
| 3:30pm–6:30pm | 40–55+ min | I-294 can slow significantly |
| 6:30pm–midnight | 22–30 min | Traffic typically improves |
These are planning ranges, not guaranteed travel times. Construction, crashes, weather, event traffic and O'Hare terminal congestion can change the trip on any day.
Northbrook to Midway Airport
Midway is a considerably longer trip from Northbrook. Your current published sedan fare is $123 to Midway compared with $75 to O’Hare. For comparable flights, O’Hare is normally the more convenient choice from the North Shore.
View Northbrook to Midway airport service → · Compare O'Hare vs Midway →
Northbrook Is Closer Than Its Rail Route Suggests
The Village of Northbrook lists O'Hare at about 17 miles and 25 minutes by road. A transit itinerary can take much longer because Milwaukee District North does not terminate at the airport.
Metra Can Still Work for the Right Traveler
One option is MD-N service south and a connection toward the Blue Line through Chicago's northwest side. It can be reasonable for a solo traveler with light luggage, but it is less direct than the road trip.
The published sedan fare is $75. Booking details stay on the Northbrook to O'Hare route page →.
Nearby North Shore O'Hare Rates
| City | Published Sedan Rate |
|---|---|
| Northbrook | $75 |
| Deerfield | $72 |
| Glenview | $72 |
| Highland Park | $80 |
| Wheeling | $72 |
Northbrook Airport Transportation Verdict
Related Airport Travel Pages
Northbrook to O'Hare Rates & Booking · Glenview Airport Guide · Deerfield to O'Hare · O'Hare vs Midway · Business Traveler Guide
Compare the dedicated airport transportation pages for Northbrook, including current published fares, vehicle options and booking information.
Northbrook to O'Hare Airport → · Northbrook to Midway Airport →
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