Amtrak long-distance trains can be a fun adventure, especially if you have the right tools. This page helps you get a quick overview of each route, links to more information on each train, and PDFs of old Amtrak Long-Distance Route Guides.
I have found Amtrak travel to be fun and relaxing, with some fantastic (and a few not-so-amazing) views while aboard these trains. I hope this info can help you with your next trip.
About The PDF Amtrak Long-Distance Route Guides
Amtrak wrote route guides circa 2010/2014, distributed on their trains and stations.
These travel guides have been out of print and are hard to find, but I found copies from the last time Amtrak printed them! Now, you are available to print out or store on a device.
Even though the information is over a decade or more old, it still offers plenty of relevant history for the communities you will see during your adventure.
Amtrak Service Alerts and Notices
Check here to check for any alerts or notices for your trip! It does not hurt to check this before booking and occasionally before your trip to make sure you stay up to date.
Amtrak System Map
Auto Train #52 & #53
The Auto Train runs daily from the greater Washington DC and Orlando areas, and this is the only train where you can bring your car with you!
The Auto Train runs daily, stopping and starting at Lorton, VA, and Sanford, FL, with one intermediate stop, only for refueling and crew changes. There is no Amtrak route guide for the Auto train, but the train does run on the Silver Meteor route. The Meteor’s route guide is below.
The route guide is a little outdated and written for the Silver Service, which also runs on the same tracks.
The Auto Train Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | Sleeper Meals |
|---|---|---|
| #52 Northbound | Sanford, FL – Lorton, VA | Dinner & Breakfast |
| #53 Southbound | Lorton, VA – Sanford, FL | Dinner & Breakfast |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Auto Train uses Superliner Equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
For food services offered aboard the Auto Train
- The cafe car is open to all passengers.
- The Dining Car is open to sleeping passengers with Amtrak Traditional Dining.
California Zephyr #5 & #6
The California Zephyr is a daily train and one of the most beautiful rail trips.
The train goes through the heart of the Rockies and the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas. The Zephyr runs between Chicago and San Francisco, traveling through the plains of Nebraska to Denver, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then through Reno and Sacramento into Emeryville/San Francisco. This train connects San Francisco and Oakland via Thruway Bus Service at Emeryville, California.
The California Zephyr Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAYS OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #5 Westbound | Chicago, IL- Omaha, NE | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Lincoln, NE – Salt Lake City, UT | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Elko, NV – Emeryville, CA | 3rd Day | Breakfast & Lunch | |
| #6 Eastbound | Emeryville, CA – Elko, NV | 1st Day | Lunch & Dinner |
| Salt Lake City, UT – McCook, NE | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Holdrege, NE – Chicago, IL | 3rd Day | Breakfast & Lunch |
Equipment & Accommodations
The California Zephyr uses Superliner Equipment and offers these accommodations.
Food Options
Food services aboard the California Zephyr include:
- The cafe car is open to all passengers.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining and is open to all, but there is limited seating for coach passengers.
Capitol Limited #29 & #30
The Capitol Limited train runs daily between Washington, DC, and Chicago and follows the historic B&O line. The train travels into Pittsburgh through the Potomac Valley, past historic Harpers Ferry, and the Allegheny Mountains. Cross into Ohio, heading north to Cleveland, and then across Ohio and Indiana into downtown Chicago.
The Capitol Limited Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY Of TRAVEL | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| #29 Westbound | Washington, DC – Pittsburg, PA | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Alliance, OH – Chicago, IL | 2nd Day | Breakfast | |
| #30 Eastbound | Chicago, IL – Toledo, OH | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Alliance, OH – Washington DC | 2nd Day | Breakfast |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Capitol Limited uses Superliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
Food services aboard the Capitol Limited
- The Cafe Car is open to all passengers.
- Dining/Cafe Car offers Amtrak Flex Dining to sleeping passengers only.
Cardinal #51 & #52
The Cardinal transports passengers between Chicago, IL, and New York, NY, three times a week.
This train runs through the Northern section of The South. with significant stops, including Washington, DC, Charlottesville, WV, Cincinnati, OH, Indianapolis, IN, and other intermediate stops. The Cardinal rolls past gently rolling horse country, 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 quaint towns of Ashland and Maysville to the skyline of Cincinnati, onto Indianapolis, and then northward to Chicago.
The Cardinal Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #50 Westbound | Chicago, IL – Indianapolis, IN | 1st Day Mo, Th, & Sa | Dinner |
| Connersville, IN – New York, NY | 2nd Day Mo, Th, & Sa | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #51 Eastbound | New York, NY – Maysville, KY | 1st Day Su, We, & Fr | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Cincinnati, OH – Chicago, IL | 2nd Day Tu, Thu, & Sa | Breakfast |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Cardinal uses Viewliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
Food services aboard the Cardinal
- The Cafe Car is open to all passengers.
- Sleeper Car passengers are offered Amtrak Flex Dining.
City of New Orleans #58 & #59
The City of New Orleans takes passengers between Chicago and New Orleans, with other significant stops in Memphis and Jackson, MS. This train is a great way to get between the Big Easy and the Windy City.
The City Of New Orleans Route By Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #58 Northbound | New Orleans, LA- Memphis, TN | 1st Day | Dinner* |
| Newbern-Dyersburg, TN – Chicago, IL | 2nd Day | Breakfast & Lunch | |
| #59 Southbound | Chicago, IL – Effingham, IL | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Centralia, IL – New Orleans, LA | 2nd Day | Breakfast |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Cardinal uses Viewliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
Food services aboard the Cardinal
- The Cafe Car is open to all passengers.
- Sleeper Car passengers receive Amtrak Flex Dining.
Coast Starlight #11 & #14
The Coast Starlight travels up and down the West Coast between Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.
The Coast Starlight offers a great adventure between Los Angeles and Seattle. This train goes through Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Portland.
While traveling along the Coast Starlight route, you can see dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, lush forests, fertile valleys, and long stretches of the Pacific Ocean shoreline provide a stunning backdrop for your journey.
There is no better way to travel the Western seaboard than the Coast Starlight.
Coast Starlight Route Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #11 Southbound | Seattle, WA – Klamath Falls, OR | 1st Day | Lunch & Dinner |
| Dunsmuir, CA – Los Angeles, CA | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #14 Northbound | Los Angeles, CA – Sacramento, CA | 1st Day | Lunch & Dinner |
| Chico, CA – Seattle, WA | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Coast Starlight uses Superliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
Food services aboard the Coast Starlight
- The cafe car is open to all passengers.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining to all, but there is limited seating for coach passengers.
Crescent #19 & #20
The Crescent travels daily between the Big Apple and the Big Easy.
With service from New York City to New Orleans, the Crescent gives travelers a unique window to the beauty and heritage of the American South. The train allows you to tour Monticello or enjoy a wine tasting in Charlottesville. Or enjoy the shopping and dining scene of Underground Atlanta.
As you travel further south, you’ll reach New Orleans, with fun, food, and music waiting for you.
This train runs daily, serving New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Atlanta, plus more.
The Crescent Route Broken Down By Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #19 Southbound | New York, NY – Danville, VA | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Greensboro, NC – New Orleans, LA | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #20 Northbound | New Orleans, LA – Spartanburg, SC | 1st Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Gastonia, NC – New York, NY | 2nd Day | Dinner |
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 passengers get Amtrak Flex Dining.
Empire Builder #7, #8, #27, & #28
The Empire Builder runs from Chicago up through Wisconsin before it wanders through the northernmost states, heading to the Pacific Northwest.
Amtrak’s Empire Builder runs daily, serving Chicago, St. Paul/Minneapolis, Spokane, Portland/Seattle, plus more.
This train operates as two separate trains; one travels between Portland, OR, and Spokane, WA. Check out this article about trains that split.
The Empire Builder Route Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
Train 27 separates from 7 in Spokane, WA, and train 28 attaches to 8 in Spokane.
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #7/#27 Westbound | Chicago, IL – St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN | 1st Day | Dinner |
| #7/#27 Westbound | St, Cloud, MN – Sandpoint, ID | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| #7 Westbound | Spokane, WA – Seattle, WA | 3rd Day | Breakfast |
| #27 Westbound | Spokane, WA -Portland, OR | 3rd Day | Breakfast* |
| #8 Eastbound | Seattle, WA – Ephrata, WA | 1st Day | Dinner |
| #28 Eastbound | Portland, OR – Pasco, WA | 1st Day | Dinner* |
| #8/#28 Eastbound | Spokane, WA – Devils Lake, ND | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| #8/#28 Eastbound | Grand Forks, ND – Chicago, IL | 3rd Day | Breakfast & Lunch |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Empire Builder uses Superliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
The Empire Builder has two food cars.
The Cafe Car is open to all passengers on the train. Note the cafe car is unavailable to passengers on trains 7 & 8 between Seattle and Spokane, WA.
Traditional dining is available in the dining car. Limited seating is open to coach passengers. Meals are included with sleeper reservations.
The dining car is unavailable on trains 27 & 28 between Portland, OR, and Spokane, WA. The sleeper passengers will receive a “boxed lunch.”
Lake Shore Limited #48, #49, #448, & #449
The Lake Shore Limited takes passengers from the bustling East Coast to the Midwest, passing many Great Lakes and waterways. This train runs daily, stopping at New York/Boston, Albany, Chicago, etc.
This train operates as two trains: one section goes to New York, and the other goes to Boston; the sections come together (Westbound) or split (Eastbound) in Albany, NY. For more information on trains that split, check out this article.
The Lake Shore Limited Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #48/#448 Eastbound | Chicago, IL – South Bend, IN | 1st Day | No Meal |
| #48 Eastbound | Elkhart, IN – New York, NY | 2nd Day | Breakfast & Lunch |
| #448 Eastbound | Elkhart, IN – Boston, MA | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| #49 Westbound | New York, NY – Rochester, NY | 1st Day | Dinner |
| #449 Westbound | Boston, MA – Rochester, NY | 1st Day | Lunch & Dinner |
| #49/#449 Westbound | Buffalo-Depew, NY – Chicago, IL | 2nd Day | Breakfast |
Equipment & Accommodations
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 Amtrak Flex Dining.
Palmetto #89 & #90
The Palmetto serves New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Charleston, SC, Savana, GA, and other intermediate stops. This train follows parts of the Silver Meteor Auto Train routes and is an honorary Silver Serice train (at least in my mind).
The Palmetto Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #89 Southbound | New York, NY – Savanna, GA | Same Day | Cafe Only |
| #90 Northbound | Savanna, GA – New York, NY | Same Day | Cafe Only |
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 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 Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #97 Southbound | New York, NY – Rocky Mount, NC | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Fayetteville, NC – Miami, FL | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner* | |
| #98 Northbound | Miami, FL – Florence, NC (Myrtle Beach) | 1st Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Fayetteville, NC – New York, NY | 2nd Day | Breakfast |
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.
- Sleeper Car passenger meals are traditional dining. At this point, this meal service is not available for coach passengers. This could change at any time.
Silver Star #91 & #92
Like the Silver Meteor, this train takes passengers from New York to Miami with a different route further inland through North and South Carolina communities and a few alternative stops in Florida.
Significant Silver Star stops include New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Raleigh, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.
If Disney World is your destination, try getting 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 Star Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #91 Southbound | New York, NY – Hamlet, NC | 1st Day | Lunch & Dinner |
| Camden, SC – Miami, FL | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner* | |
| # 92 Northbound | Miami, FL – Jacksonville, FL | 1st Day | Lunch & Dinner |
| Savana, GA – New York, NY | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner* |
Equipment & Accommodations
Lake Shore Limited uses Viewliner Equipment and offers
Food Options
Food services aboard the Silver Star
- The Cafe Car is open to all passengers.
- The dining car offers Traditional dining for sleeping passengers. At this point, this meal service is not available for coach passengers. This could change at any time.
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 — past wheat fields, ranches, missions, pueblos, mountains, and deserts. You will travel canyon passages only a few feet wider than the train itself; you’ll see vistas not visible from interstate highways.
This train runs daily, stopping at Chicago, Kansas City (MO), Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Los Angeles, etc.
The Southwest Chief Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 Westbound | Chicago, IL – Lawrence, KS | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Topeka, KS – Kingman, AZ | 1st Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Needles, CA – Los Angeles, CA | 3rd Day | Breakfast & Lunch | |
| #4 Eastbound | Los Angeles, CA – Barstow, CA | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Needles, CA – Garden City, KS | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Dodge City, KS – Chicago, IL | 3rd Day | Breakfast |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Southwest Chief uses Superliner Equipment and offers
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.
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 with stops in New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, and more.
The Sunset Limited Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Westbound | New Orleans, LA – Houston, TX | 1st Day Mon/Wed/Sat | Lunch & Dinner |
| San Antonio, TX, – Yuma, AZ | 2nd Day Mon/Wed/Sat | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Palm Springs, AZ – Los Angeles, CA | 3rd Day Wed/Fri/Mon | No Meal | |
| #2 Eastbound | Los Angeles, CA – Ontario, CA | 1st Day Tue/Thu/Sun | No Meal |
| Palm Springs, CA -Sander, TX | 2nd Day Sun/Wed/Fri | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Del Rio, TX – New Orleans, LA | 3rd Day Mon/Thu/Sat | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Sunset Limited 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.
Texas Eagle #21, #22, #421, & #422
The Texas Eagle gives passengers views of the famous St. Louis Arch plus urban to rural views of Texas and Illinois (Arkansas is overnight). Three days a week, A coach and sleeper car from this train couples onto the Sunset Limited, reaching more communities.
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.
21/22 Texas Eagle Route Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #21 Southbound | Chicago, IL – Poplar Bluff, MO | 1st Day | Dinner |
| Walnut Ridge, AR – San Antonio, TX | 2nd Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #22 Northbound | San Antonio, TX – Little Rock, AR | 1st Day | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Walnut Ridge, AR – Chicago, IL | 2nd Day | Breakfast & Lunch |
421/422 Route Broken Down By The Day And Dining Car Meals Offered
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL | MEALS OFFERED |
|---|---|---|---|
| #421 Southbound | Chicago, IL – Poplar Bluff, MO | 1st Day Daily | Dinner |
| Walnut Ridge, AR – San Antonio, TX | 2nd Day Daily | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #421 Hooks with #1 | San Antonio, TX – Maricopa, AZ | 3rd Day Tu, Th, Su | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Yuma, AZ – Los Angeles, CA | 4th Day We, Fr, Mo | No Meal | |
| #422 Eastbound | Los Angeles, CA – Ontario, CA | 1st Day Su, We, Fr | No Meal |
| Palm Springs, CA – Sanderson, TX | 2nd Day Mo, Th, Sa | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #422 Hooks with #22 in San Antonio, TX | Del Rio, TX – Little Rock, AR | 3rd Day Tu, Fr, Su | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Daily from San Antonio to Chicago | Walnut Ridge, AR – Chicago, IL | 4th Day | Breakfast & Lunch |
Equipment & Accommodations
The Texas Eagle uses Superliner Equipment, and the train offers these accommodations.
Food Options
- The Texas Eagle cafe is open to all.
- Sleeping passengers get flex dining between Chicago and San Antonio—and traditional dining between San Antonio and Los Angeles.
Amtrak Long-Distance Route Guides Wrap-up
I hope this page helps and gives you either the information you need or the links to aid you in your research for your next Amtrak adventure. Amtrak route guides are printable or downloadable to your smart devices. If you have other questions, please get in touch with 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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