I’ve enjoyed Amtrak travel for over a decade, and I believe it can be a fun adventure, especially with the right tools. I created this page as a starting resource for Amtrak’s long-distance routes. It includes links to schedules, accommodations, food, and old Amtrak Long-Distance Route Guides, which you can read to learn about where the train rolls through.
Amtrak travel is relaxing and enjoyable, offering fantastic views (and a few not-so-great ones). I hope this information helps you plan your next trip and inspires you to visit a new place!
About the PDF Amtrak Long-Distance Route Guides
Amtrak published route guides between 2010 and 2014, distributed on trains and at stations.
These travel guides are no longer available in print and are hard to find, but I have discovered copies you can download or print.
Although the information is over a decade old, it still contains relevant history about the communities you will encounter during your journey.
Amtrak System Map
Many map tools are available to help visually inclined people. The map above displays the routes and stops of most Amtrak trains, but newer versions are also available.
There are maps you can use to show day or night parts of the routes and interactive planning maps.
Auto Train #52 & #53
The Auto Train is a daily service between greater Washington, D.C., and Orlando. It’s the only train that allows passengers to bring their cars.
The train departs from Lorton, VA, and Sanford, FL, with just one intermediate stop for refueling and crew changes. Although no Amtrak route guide explicitly covers the Auto Train, it runs on the Silver Meteor route, so relevant information can be found in that guide.
Auto Train basics
The train uses Superliner equipment, offering sleeper accommodations and coach classes.
Café cars serve food to all passengers, and a dining car with Amtrak’s traditional dining is available for sleeping passengers.
The Auto Train Broken Down By The Day
This train’s only intermediate stop is for refueling and crew changes. The northbound and southbound trains use the same schedule.
| Train | Day 1 & Day 2 |
|---|---|
| #52 Northbound | Sanford, FL – Lorton, VA |
| #53 Southbound | Lorton, VA – Sanford, FL |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Auto Train uses Superliner equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
The Auto Train has a few food service cars.
- All passengers can use the Cafe car.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining for sleeper car passengers.
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #52 Northbound | Dinner | Breakfast |
| #53 Southbound | Dinner | Breakfast |
California Zephyr #5 & #6
The California Zephyr is a daily train service that connects Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area. This train journey is renowned for its breathtaking views of the Rockies and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada.
During the journey, you travel across the plains of Nebraska, cross the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then pass through Reno and Sacramento before arriving in Emeryville or San Francisco via connecting service.
This train service also offers Thruway Bus Service at Emeryville in California, which provides a convenient connection between San Francisco and Oakland.
The California Zephyr by the Day
| Direction | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #5 Westbound | Chicago, IL – Omaha, NE | Lincoln, NE – Salt Lake City, UT | Elko, NV – Emeryville, CA |
| #6 Eastbound | Emeryville, CA – Elko, NV | Salt Lake City, UT – McCook, NE | Holdrege, NE – Chicago, IL |
Equipment & Accommodations
The California Zephyr uses Superliner equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
The California Zephyr has two food-service cars.
- All passengers can use the Cafe car.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining and is open to all, but there is limited seating for coach passengers.
Scheduled Dining Car Meals for the California Zephyr:
These meals come with sleeping car reservations or when a room is available for a flat rate for coach passengers.
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #5 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast & Lunch |
| #6 Eastbound | Lunch & Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast & Lunch |
Capitol Limited #29 & #30 – Now a Part of the Floridian
The Floridian route is a combination of the Capitol Limited and Silver Star. It now features Viewliner equipment and traditional dining. So, if you want to ride on what the Capitol Limited was, check out the Floridian page.
The Cardinal is an alternative if your endpoint is Washington, D.C., or you want to travel further to stops between D.C. and New York.
Cardinal #51 & #52
The Cardinal takes passengers between Chicago, IL, and New York, NY, three times a week.
This train runs through the northern section of the South. Some stops include Washington, DC; Charlottesville, WV; Cincinnati, OH; Indianapolis, IN; and more.
The Cardinal rolls past gently rolling horse country, the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, and the wild white-water rivers of West Virginia. As you head westward, as the train rolls along the Ohio River bank, you’ll see the quaint towns of Ashland and Maysville, the skyline of Cincinnati, then onto Indianapolis, and finally northward to Chicago.
The Cardinal route by day
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #50 Westbound | Chicago, IL – Indianapolis, IN Mo, Th, & Sa | Connersville, IN – New York, NY Tu, Fr, & Su |
| #51 Eastbound | New York, NY – Maysville, KY Tu, Fr, & Su | Cincinnati, OH – Chicago, IL Su, We, & Fr |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Cardinal uses Viewliner equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
Food service on the Cardinal. There is only one food car on this train.
- All passengers can use the Cafe car.
- Sleeper car passengers receive flex dining, often served in your room, but you can go to the cafe car.
Sleeper Car Meals Offered
Flex meals are available only for sleeper class passengers.
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #50 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| #51 Eastbound | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Breakfast |
City of New Orleans #58 & #59
The “City of New Orleans,” made famous by the Steve Goodman songs, runs daily between Chicago and New Orleans, making significant stops in Memphis, TN, and Jackson, MS. This train is a convenient mode of transportation between the Big Easy and the Windy City.
This train is a great way to travel between the Big Easy and the Windy City.
The City Of New Orleans route by the day
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #58 Northbound | New Orleans, LA- Memphis, TN | Newbern-Dyersburg, TN – Chicago, IL |
| #59 Southbound | Chicago, IL – Effingham, IL | Centralia, IL – New Orleans, LA |
Equipment & Accommodations
The City of New Orleans uses Superliner Equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
The City of New Orleans food car.
- All passengers can use the Cafe car.
- This train offers flex dining in the cafe car for sleeping passengers
- This meal service is not provided for coach passengers.
Scheduled Sleeping Car Meals
See what flex meals are available each day, scheduled by the day.
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #58 Northbound | Dinner | Breakfast |
| #59 Southbound | Dinner* | Breakfast & Lunch |
Coast Starlight #11 & #14;
The Coast Starlight is a daily train that travels up and down the West Coast between Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.
This train offers a great adventure between Los Angeles and Seattle. This train travels through Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Portland.
While traveling along the Coast Starlight route, you can see the dramatic, snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, lush forests, fertile valleys, and long stretches of the Pacific Ocean shoreline, which provide a stunning backdrop for your journey.
There is no better way to travel the Western seaboard than on the Coast Starlight.
Coast Starlight Route by the Day
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #11 Southbound | Seattle, WA – Klamath Falls, OR | Dunsmuir, CA – Los Angeles, CA |
| #14 Northbound | Los Angeles, CA – Sacramento, CA | Chico, CA – Seattle, WA |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Coast Starlight uses Superliner Equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
The Coast Starlight has two food cars.
- All passengers can use the Cafe car.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining.
- This car is open to all, but seating may be limited to coach passengers.
Scheduled Meals
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #11 Southbound | Lunch & Dinner | Lunch & Dinner |
| #14 Northbound | Lunch & Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
Crescent #19 & #20
The Crescent travels daily between the Big Apple and the Big Easy. With service from New York City to New Orleans, it gives travelers a unique window into the beauty and heritage of the American South.
The train allows you to tour Monticello, enjoy a wine tasting in Charlottesville, or explore the shopping and dining scene of Underground Atlanta. As you travel further south, you’ll reach New Orleans, where fun, food, and music await you.
The Crescent Route by Day
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #19 Southbound | New York, NY – Danville, VA | Greensboro, NC – New Orleans, LA |
| #20 Northbound | New Orleans, LA – Spartanburg, SC | Gastonia, NC – New York, NY |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Crescent uses Viewliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
Food services aboard the Crescent
- The Cafe Car is open to all passengers.
- Sleeper Car passenger meals are Flex dining.
- The meals are served from the dining car and are open to sleeping passengers only.
Scheduled Sleeper Car Meals on the Crescent
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #19 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| #20 Northbound | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast |
Empire Builder #7, #8, #27, & #28
Embark on an adventure through the American West aboard the Empire Builder train. This historic route from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest offers stunning views of the Mississippi River, Minneapolis skyline, North Dakota plains, Glacier National Park, and the Columbia River Gorge. Choose to continue to Seattle or explore Portland, enjoying scenic vistas.
The Empire Builder Route Broken Down By The Day
Train 27 decouples from 7 in Spokane, WA, and Train 28 couples with 8 in Spokane. Between Spokane and Chicago, both trains operate as one.
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #7 Westbound | Chicago, IL – St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN | St, Cloud, MN – Sandpoint, ID | Spokane, WA – Seattle, WA |
| #27 Westbound | Chicago, IL – St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN | Spokane, WA – Seattle, WA | Spokane, WA -Portland, OR |
| #8 Eastbound | Seattle, WA – Ephrata, WA | Spokane, WA – Devils Lake, ND | Grand Forks, ND – Chicago, IL |
| #28 Eastbound | Portland, OR – Pasco, WA | Spokane, WA – Devils Lake, ND | Grand Forks, ND – Chicago, IL |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Empire Builder uses Superliner Equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
The Empire Builder has two food cars.
- All passengers can use the café car.
- The cafe car is not available between Seattle and Spokane.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining and is open to all, but there is limited seating for coach passengers.
- The dining car is not available between Spokane and Portland. The car attendant will hand sleeping car passengers a meal.
Scheduled Meals
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #7 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast |
| #27 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast* |
| #8 Eastbound | Dinner | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast & lunch |
| #28 Eastbound | Dinner* | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast & lunch |
Floridian #40 & #41
The Amtrak Floridian offers a convenient, direct route from Chicago to Miami, replacing the temporarily suspended Silver Star and Capitol Limited trains.
With this new service, travelers can enjoy stunning scenery—from the Midwestern plains to the bustling cities of the East Coast and the tropical beauty of Florida—without needing multiple transfers. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, the Floridian ensures a seamless and comfortable journey with stops in major cities like Washington, DC, Orlando, and Miami.
This train simplifies long-distance travel and enhances the onboard experience with modern amenities such as sleeping accommodations, dining options, and spacious seating. Amtrak’s Floridian caters to both seasoned train enthusiasts and first-time travelers, making it an easy and enjoyable way to explore new destinations.
Alternative options:
- For travel between Chicago, Washington, DC, and New York City, consider the Cardinal.
- The Silver Meteor may be a great fit if your trip involves the East Coast.
The Floridian Broken Down By The Day
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 North/Westbound | Miami, FL – Jacksonville, FL | Savannah, GA – Pittsburgh, PA | Alliance, OH – Chicago, IL |
| 41 South/Eastbound | Chicago, IL – Toledo, OH | Sandusky, OH – Camden, SC | Columbia, SC – Miami, FL |
Equipment & Accommodations
Floridian uses Viewliner Equipment and offers:
Food Options
Food services aboard the Floridian
- The Cafe Car is open to all passengers.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining for sleeping passengers and is open to coach passengers with limited seating.
Scheduled Meals
If you are traveling the entire route, you need two route guides for this train.
Lake Shore Limited #48, #49, #448, & #449
Experience the journey between Chicago and New York City, passing through communities like South Bend, Cleveland, and Buffalo. As you travel, you’ll enjoy Lake Michigan’s scenic south shore, the Mohawk River’s winding path, and the historic Erie Canal, tracing the footsteps of a renowned Native American highway.
This train operates in two sections: one going to New York and the other to Boston. These sections come together (westbound) or split (eastbound) in Albany, NY. For more information, check out my article on trains that split.
The Lake Shore Limited Broken Down by the Day
| Trains | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #48 Eastbound | Chicago, IL – South Bend, IN | Elkhart, IN – New York, NY |
| #448 Eastbound | Chicago, IL – South Bend, IN | Elkhart, IN – Boston, MA |
| #49 Westbound | New York, NY – Rochester, NY | Buffalo-Depew, NY – Chicago, IL |
| #449 Westbound | Boston, MA – Rochester, NY | Buffalo-Depew, NY – Chicago, IL |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Lake Shore Limited uses Viewliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
Food services aboard the Lake Shore Limited
- The Cafe Car is open to all passengers.
- Sleeper Car passenger meals are Flex dining.
- The meals are served from the dining car and are open to sleeping passengers only.
- This car is unavailable from Boston to Albany. During that segment, meals are provided by the café car.
Schedule Meals for the Lake Shore Limited
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #48 Eastbound | No Meal | Breakfast & Lunch |
| #448 Eastbound | No Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner* |
| #49 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast |
| #449 Westbound | Lunch* & Dinner | Breakfast |
Palmetto #89 & #90
The Palmetto is a daily train from New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Charleston, SC, Savana, GA, and other intermediate stops. This train follows parts of the Silver Meteor routes and is an honorary Silver Serice train (at least in my mind).
The Palmetto Broken Down By The Day
| Train | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| #89 Southbound | New York, NY – Savanna, GA |
| #90 Northbound | Savanna, GA – New York, NY |
Food Options
- There is no dining car on this train because there are no sleeper cars.
- The Palmetto has a cafe car, is open to all passengers, and is between the coach and business cars.
Silver Meteor #97 & #98
The Silver Meteor takes passengers daily up and down the East Coast from New York to Miami.
The Silver Meteor serves New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Charleston, SC, Jacksonville, Orlando, Kissimmee, Miami, etc.
If Disney World is your destination, get off the train in Kissimmee. FL. From there, walk to the 56 bus stop on Center Dr and Reams Rd. The bus takes you to the Disney Transportation and Ticket Center in less than an hour for a few dollars. From there, you can get to where you need to go. Your other option is a rideshare or taxi.
The Silver Meteor Route Broken Down by the Day
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #97 Southbound | New York, NY – Rocky Mount, NC | Fayetteville, NC – Miami, FL |
| #98 Northbound | Miami, FL – Florence, NC (Myrtle Beach) | Fayetteville, NC – New York, NY |
Equipment & Accommodations
Silver Meteor uses Viewliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
Food services aboard the Silver Meteor
- The Cafe Car is open to all passengers.
- The train has traditional dining; if space allows, the dining car is open to coach passengers.
Scheduled Meal Times on the Silver Meteor
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| #97 Southbound | Dinner | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner* |
| #98 Northbound | Breakfast, lunch, & dinner | Breakfast |
Silver Star #91 & #92 – Now a Part of the Floridian
The Floridian combines the Capitol Limited and the Silver Star routes. It features Viewliner equipment and traditional dining options. Please note that the Floridian does not travel north of Washington, D.C., so you must take a regional train to continue your journey north from there.
The Silver Meteor does stop at many of the former Silver Star.
Southwest Cheif #3 & #4
The Southwest Chief runs daily. It allows you to see the beauty of the American West on an adventure between Chicago and Los Angeles.
The train takes you across the mighty Mississippi through eight states, passing wheat fields, ranches, missions, pueblos, mountains, and deserts. You will travel canyon passages only a few feet wider than the train and see vistas not visible from interstate highways.
This train runs daily, stopping at Chicago, Kansas City (MO), Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Los Angeles, and other locations.
The Southwest Chief Broken Down By The Day
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 Westbound | Chicago, IL – Lawrence, KS | Topeka, KS – Kingman, AZ | Needles, CA – Los Angeles, CA |
| #4 Eastbound | Los Angeles, CA – Barstow, CA | Needles, CA – Garden City, KS | Dodge City, KS – Chicago, IL |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Southwest Chief uses Superliner equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
The Southwest Chief has two food cars.
- All passengers can use the Cafe car.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining and is open to all, but there is limited seating for coach passengers.
Schedule meals by the day
| Trains | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 Westbound | Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast & Lunch |
| #4 Eastbound | Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast |
Sunset Limited #1 & #2
Sunset Limited takes passengers between New Orleans and LA and gives passengers views of Mexico.
This train runs three times a week and stops in New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, and other cities.
The Sunset Limited Broken Down By
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Westbound | New Orleans, LA – Houston, TX Mon/Wed/Sat | San Antonio, TX, – Yuma, AZ Mon/Wed/Sat | Palm Springs, AZ – Los Angeles, CA Wed/Fri/Mon |
| #2 Eastbound | Los Angeles, CA – Ontario, CA Mon/Wed/Sat | Palm Springs, CA -Sander, TX Tue/Thu/Sun | Del Rio, TX – New Orleans, LA Sun/Wed/Fri |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Sunset Limited uses Superliner Equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
The Sunset Limited has two food cars.
- All passengers can use the Cafe car.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining and is open to all, but there is limited seating for coach passengers.
Scheduled Meals
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Westbound | Lunch & Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | No Meal |
| #2 Eastbound | No Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
Texas Eagle #21, #22, #421, & #422
The Texas Eagle runs daily with stops at Chicago, St. Louis, Little Rock, Dallas, San Antonio, and more, and three days a week to cities like Tucson and Los Angeles.
The Texas Eagle gives passengers views of the famous St. Louis Arch and urban to rural views of Texas and Illinois (Arkansas is overnight). A coach and sleeper car from this train will transfer three days a week to Sunset Limited, reaching more communities.
The Texas Eagle By The Day
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 Southbound | Chicago, IL – Poplar Bluff, MO | Walnut Ridge, AR – San Antonio, TX | – | – |
| #421 Southbound | Walnut Ridge, AR – San Antonio, TX | Walnut Ridge, AR – San Antonio, TX | San Antonio, TX, – Yuma, AZ | Palm Springs, AZ – Los Angeles, CA |
| #22 Northbound | San Antonio, TX – Little Rock, AR | Walnut Ridge, AR – Chicago, IL | – | – |
| #422 Northbound | Los Angeles, CA – Ontario, CA | Palm Springs, CA -San Antonio, TX | San Antonio, TX – Little Rock, AR | Walnut Ridge, AR – Chicago, IL |
Equipment & AccommodatiDay
The Texas Eagle uses Superliner Equipment, and the train offers these accommodations.
Food Options
- The Texas Eagle cafe is open to all.
- Sleeping passengers can enjoy flex dining between Chicago and San Antonio
- Traditional dining between San Antonio and Los Angeles.
Scheduled Meals for the Texas Eagle
*Indicate that it is a flex dining meal
| Train | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 Southbound | Dinner* | Breakfast,* Lunch,* & Dinner* | – | – |
| #421 Southbound | Dinner* | Breakfast,* Lunch,* & Dinner* | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | No Meal |
| #22 Eastbound | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast & Lunch | – | – |
| #422 Eastbound | No Meal | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | Breakfast,* Lunch,* & Dinner* | Breakfast* & Lunch* |
Amtrak Long-Distance Route Guides Wrap-up
I hope this page helps and provides the necessary information or links to aid your research for your next Amtrak adventure. Amtrak route guides are printable or can be downloaded to your smart devices. If you have other questions, don’t hesitate to contact me, and I will do my best to answer them.
To ensure this information stays online, consider supporting Travels with Kev. Much time and money go into producing and keeping this info available.
Safe travels!
Kev
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