I have been enjoying Amtrak travel for over a decade, and I believe it can be a fun adventure, especially if you have the right tools. This page is designed to be a resource for Amtrak’s long-distance routes.
You can find links to schedules, more information on accommodations and food, and old Amtrak Long-Distance Route Guides to read and learn from as you travel.
Amtrak travel is relaxing and enjoyable, with fantastic views (and a few not-so-amazing ones) aboard these trains. I hope this information can assist you with planning your next trip.
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
There are many map tools available to help visually inclined people. The map above displays the routes and stops of most of Amtrak’s trains, but newer versions have been released since this map was created.
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 the greater Washington, D.C., and Orlando. It’s the only train allowing 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 there’s no Amtrak route guide specifically for the Auto Train, it runs on the Silver Meteor route so that you can find relevant information in that guide.
Auto Train basics
The train utilizes Superliner equipment.
Accommodations on this train include sleepers and coach class.
Cafe cars are open to all passengers for food, and a dining car with Amtrak traditional dining is available for sleeping passengers.
The Auto Train Broken Down By The Day
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS |
|---|---|
| #52 Northbound | Sanford, FL – Lorton, VA |
| #53 Southbound | Lorton, VA – Sanford, FL |
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 Nevadas.
During the journey, you travel across the plains of Nebraska to Denver, cross the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then pass through Reno and Sacramento before arriving at Emeryville or San Francisco.
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 | The cities for the day | DAYS OF TRAVEL |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Westbound | Chicago, IL- Omaha, NE | 1 |
| Lincoln, NE – Salt Lake City, UT | 2 | |
| Elko, NV – Emeryville, CA | 3 | |
| #6 Eastbound | Emeryville, CA – Elko, NV | 1 |
| Salt Lake City, UT – McCook, NE | 2 | |
| Holdrege, NE – Chicago, IL | 3 |
Capitol Limited #29 & #30
The Capitol Limited train runs daily from Washington, DC, to Chicago, following the historic B&O line. It passes through the scenic Potomac Valley, then onto Pittsburgh, passing through the Allegheny Mountains and historic Harpers Ferry. The train then crosses into Ohio, heading north to Cleveland, and finally into downtown Chicago via Ohio and Indiana.
The Capitol Limited by the day
| DIRECTION | The cities for that day | DAY Of TRAVEL |
|---|---|---|
| #29 Westbound | Washington, DC – Pittsburg, PA | 1 |
| Alliance, OH – Chicago, IL | 2 | |
| #30 Eastbound | Chicago, IL – Toledo, OH | 1 |
| Alliance, OH – Washington DC | 2 |
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, 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.
Here is the Cardinal route by day and the sleeper car meals offered
| Directions | Cities for the day | Travel Day | The day the train runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| #50 Westbound | Chicago, IL – Indianapolis, IN | 1 | Mo, Th, & Sa |
| Connersville, IN – New York, NY | 2 | Mo, Th, & Sa | |
| #51 Eastbound | New York, NY – Maysville, KY | 1 | Tu, Fr, & Su |
| Cincinnati, OH – Chicago, IL | 2 | Su, We, & Fr |
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 to travel between the Big Easy and the Windy City.
This train is a great way to get between the Big Easy and the Windy City.
The City Of New Orleans route by the day
| Direction | The cities for that day | DAY OF TRAVEL |
|---|---|---|
| #58 Northbound | New Orleans, LA- Memphis, TN | 1 |
| Newbern-Dyersburg, TN – Chicago, IL | 2 | |
| #59 Southbound | Chicago, IL – Effingham, IL | 1 |
| Centralia, IL – New Orleans, LA | 2 |
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 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, which provide a stunning backdrop for your journey.
There is no better way to travel the Western seaboard than the Coast Starlight.
Coast Starlight route by the day
| Direction | Cities for that day | Day of travel |
|---|---|---|
| #11 Southbound | Seattle, WA – Klamath Falls, OR | 1 |
| Dunsmuir, CA – Los Angeles, CA | 2 | |
| #14 Northbound | Los Angeles, CA – Sacramento, CA | 1 |
| Chico, CA – Seattle, WA | 2 |
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, 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 the day
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL |
|---|---|---|
| #19 Southbound | New York, NY – Danville, VA | 1 |
| Greensboro, NC – New Orleans, LA | 2 | |
| #20 Northbound | New Orleans, LA – Spartanburg, SC | 1 |
| Gastonia, NC – New York, NY | 2 |
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.
| DIRECTION | CITY SECTIONS | DAY OF TRAVEL |
|---|---|---|
| #7/#27 Westbound | Chicago, IL – St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN | 1 |
| #7/#27 Westbound | St, Cloud, MN – Sandpoint, ID | 2 |
| #7 Westbound | Spokane, WA – Seattle, WA | 3 |
| #27 Westbound | Spokane, WA -Portland, OR | 3 |
| #8 Eastbound | Seattle, WA – Ephrata, WA | 1 |
| #28 Eastbound | Portland, OR – Pasco, WA | 1 |
| #8/#28 Eastbound | Spokane, WA – Devils Lake, ND | 2 |
| #8/#28 Eastbound | Grand Forks, ND – Chicago, IL | 3 |
Lake Shore Limited #48, #49, #448, & #449
Experience the journey between Chicago and New York City, passing through communities such as South Bend, Cleveland, and Buffalo as you roll past the landscapes of the USA. Your adventure passes past the scenic south shore of Lake Michigan, follows the winding path of the Mohawk River, and glides alongside the historic Erie Canal, tracing the footsteps of a renowned Native American Highway.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| #48/#448 Eastbound | Chicago, IL – South Bend, IN | 1 |
| #48 Eastbound | Elkhart, IN – New York, NY | 2 |
| #448 Eastbound | Elkhart, IN – Boston, MA | 3 |
| #49 Westbound | New York, NY – Rochester, NY | 1 |
| #449 Westbound | Boston, MA – Rochester, NY | 2 |
| #49/#449 Westbound | Buffalo-Depew, NY – Chicago, IL | 3 |
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 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 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 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 | 1 | Dinner |
| Fayetteville, NC – Miami, FL | 2 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner* | |
| #98 Northbound | Miami, FL – Florence, NC (Myrtle Beach) | 1 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Fayetteville, NC – New York, NY | 2 | 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, it is only for sleeper car passengers but could change at any time.
Silver Star #91 & #92
Like the Silver Meteor, this train takes passengers from New York to Miami daily. It takes a different route 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 | 1 | Lunch & Dinner |
| Camden, SC – Miami, FL | 2 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner* | |
| # 92 Northbound | Miami, FL – Jacksonville, FL | 1 | Lunch & Dinner |
| Savana, GA – New York, NY | 2 | 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. This is only available to sleeping car passengers, but 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, 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, 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 | 1 | Dinner |
| Topeka, KS – Kingman, AZ | 2 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Needles, CA – Los Angeles, CA | 3 | Breakfast & Lunch | |
| #4 Eastbound | Los Angeles, CA – Barstow, CA | 1 | Dinner |
| Needles, CA – Garden City, KS | 2 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Dodge City, KS – Chicago, IL | 3 | 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 | 1 Mon/Wed/Sat | Lunch & Dinner |
| San Antonio, TX, – Yuma, AZ | 2 Mon/Wed/Sat | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Palm Springs, AZ – Los Angeles, CA | 3 Wed/Fri/Mon | No Meal Late departure | |
| #2 Eastbound | Los Angeles, CA – Ontario, CA | 1 Mon/Wed/Sat | No Meal Late departure |
| Palm Springs, CA -Sander, TX | 2 Tue/Thu/Sun | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| Del Rio, TX – New Orleans, LA | 3 Sun/Wed/Fri | 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 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 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.
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 | 1 | Dinner |
| Walnut Ridge, AR – San Antonio, TX | 2 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #22 Northbound | San Antonio, TX – Little Rock, AR | 1 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Walnut Ridge, AR – Chicago, IL | 2 | 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 | 1 | Dinner |
| Walnut Ridge, AR – San Antonio, TX | 2 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #421 Hooks with #1 | San Antonio, TX – Maricopa, AZ | 3 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Yuma, AZ – Los Angeles, CA | 4 | No Meal | |
| #422 Eastbound | Los Angeles, CA – Ontario, CA | 1 | No Meal |
| Palm Springs, CA – Sanderson, TX | 2 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner | |
| #422 Hooks with #22 in San Antonio, TX | Del Rio, TX – Little Rock, AR | 3 | Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner |
| Daily from San Antonio to Chicago | Walnut Ridge, AR – Chicago, IL | 4 | 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 can enjoy 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 the necessary information or links to aid 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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