There is an odd badge of honor that seems to go with commuting to work by car or truck.
For me, it’s same kind of self-satisfaction that comes with mowing the lawn or painting a room. Should I rely on someone else? Nope, I got this.
It’s a merit badge I’ve worn proudly for years, even though spending up to an hour driving to work isn’t particularly noteworthy. Or unique.
Commuting has been a way of life for folks in the south suburbs since Chicagoans started moving here decades ago when roads were lined with farms instead of strip malls. My father-in-law made the trek from Orland Hills to Chicago’s South Side for more than 25 years and didn’t flinch about drive-time commitment it required. My father had a similar trip for about just as long before he retired.
That’s probably why I’ve always felt proud to say I ride into work with my hands at the wheel. Maybe that’s why when I discovered a report ranking the 40 best and worst commuter cities in Illinois I reacted so strongly. I was stunned. I felt insulted.
The 2015 study, compiled by obrella.com, a free car insurance resource guide, listed more than 20 of the worst in the south suburbs with average commute times ranging from 36.1 minutes in Romeoville (No. 38) to 43.3 minutes in Riverdale (No. 1). Chicago checks in at No. 22 at 37.5, no doubt influenced by the Kennedy Expressway and congestion from two airports.
More Top Picks Msi Crosshair 18 Hx Ai Review
My commute from Orland Park (No. 18) is more than an hour, much of that determined by the Jane Byrne interchange, and I realize that there’s more to commuting than using the interstate – city streets factor in as well – but I still find it hard to believe its one of the worst in the state.
What about those commutes and backups I see almost daily to head to the western suburbs via the Eisenhower? And the single-lane choke point that is the southbound Edens Spur when it combines into I-94 near Northbook?
I think the south suburbs are getting a bad rap.
The study used traffic data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2013, included only cities with populations of 10,000 and more and analyzed commute type and length. It clocked the average commute in Illinois at 28.1 minutes, about three minutes higher than the national average. It seems legit, but I thought other areas would be more represented. Like the ones that have toll roads.
Actually, the lack of cities north suburbs has me thinking there may have been another factor. Could it be that a Cubs fan developed the algorithm used to calculate the list?
In case you’re wondering, Macomb topped the list with an average commute time of 14 minutes.
All things considered, the extra time I spend in my SUV cursing traffic and merging manners is a worthy trade-off for good schools, modest property taxes and a more relaxed way of life. And by the volume of drivers I see beside me each day, I’m not alone. I just find it hard to believe cities in the south suburbs are the worst for commutes.
I guess it’s the surest sign yet I’ve become a bona fide South Sider: I read a report that reflects negatively on the Southland and I raced to defend its honor.
The transformation, it appears, is nearly complete.
Steve Zimmerman is a copy editor/designer for the baiduhai who moved to the south suburbs from Chicago’s northwest side in May.
INFOBOX
Where they rank
The 40 worst commuter cities in Illinois, as ranked by obrella.com, include more than 20 in the south suburbs:
1. Riverdale, 43.3 minutes
2. Richton Park, 42.7
3. Dolton, 41.9
4. Country Club Hills, 41.5
9. Homer Township, 39.4
10. Matteson, 39.2
13. Rich Township, 38.7
18. Orland Park, 38.3
21. South Holland, 37.6
23. Thornton Township, 37.5
24. Lockport, 37.4
25. Tinley Park, 37.2
More Top Picks What Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction Bvd
26. Lemont Township, 37.1
27. Mokena, 37.0
28. Monee Township, 36.9
30. New Lenox, 36.6
31. Lemont, 36.6
33. Palos Hills, 36.5
34. Plainfield, 36.4
35. Harvey, 36.3
36. Homewood, 36.2
38. Romeoville, 36.1
The best commuter cities: 1. Macomb, 14.0 min.; 2. Quincy, 15.2; 3. Effingham, 15.2; 4. Carbondale, 15.8; 5. Charleston, 16.0.