Arlington Heights is one of the best-connected towns in the Northwest Suburbs, whether your commute runs downtown on Metra, out to the highways, or somewhere in between.
Metra
Arlington Heights is served by two stations on Metra's Union Pacific Northwest Line: the downtown Arlington Heights station at 45 W. Northwest Highway, and the Arlington Park station at 2121 W. Northwest Highway near the racetrack. Both offer direct service toward Ogilvie Transportation Center in the Loop and northwest toward Barrington, Crystal Lake, and Harvard. Weekday service runs frequently, weekend service is available on a reduced schedule, and both stations offer ADA accessibility and ticket vending machines. The downtown station has extensive commuter parking across a dozen lots, with roughly 1,900 spaces total. Check Metra's current timetable for specific travel times, since schedules shift periodically.
Driving
Illinois Route 53, Northwest Highway, Rand Road, Algonquin Road, Golf Road, Dundee Road, and Palatine Road all run through or near town, with I-90 forming the southern border and I-290 within easy reach off Route 53. That puts O'Hare, Schaumburg and Woodfield, Palatine, Mount Prospect, and Buffalo Grove within easy reach. Note that IDOT's ongoing Route 53 reconstruction project, running from I-90 to Lake Cook Road, is expected to continue through late 2026, so drivers should expect periodic ramp closures and detours along that corridor in the meantime.
Other Transportation
Pace bus routes, rideshare, and a solid network of bike and walking paths round out the options, making Arlington Heights a good fit whether you commute daily or work remote and hybrid.