Midwest Train Routes

The Midwest has more passenger rail service than you might expect, with more than 15 Amtrak routes plus multiple commuter lines. Chicago is the region’s major hub for long-distance trains, and several states (including Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri) have frequent regional service. Explore the full list of Midwest train routes below, and don’t miss the 10 best Midwest Amtrak trips for top travel ideas.

Note that the Census Bureau definition of Midwest states was used: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

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Midwest Routes

Route	Popular Destinations
Blue Water	Chicago, Kalamazoo, East Lansing, Port Huron
Borealis	Chicago, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Minneapolis–St. Paul
California Zephyr	Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City, Glenwood Springs, Winter Park, Denver, Omaha, Chicago
Cardinal	New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Charleston, WV, Indianapolis, Chicago
Carl Sandburg	Chicago, Naperville, Galesburg, Quincy
City of New Orleans	Chicago, Memphis, Jackson, New Orleans
Empire Builder	Chicago, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Portland, Seattle
Floridian	Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Savannah, DC, Pittsburgh, Chicago
Hiawatha	Chicago, Milwaukee
Illini	Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, Effingham, Carbondale
Illinois Zephyr	Chicago, Naperville, Galesburg, Quincy
Lake Shore Limited	New York City, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago
Lincoln Service	Chicago, Springfield, St. Louis
Metra (Chicago commuter rail)	Chicago, Kenosha, Illinois suburban areas
Missouri River Runner	Kansas City, Independence, Jefferson City, Hermann, St. Louis
Northstar (Minnesota commuter rail)	Minneapolis and nearby suburban areas
Pere Marquette	Chicago, St. Joseph, Holland, Grand Rapids
Saluki	Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, Effingham, Carbondale
Southwest Chief	Los Angeles, Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Dodge City, Kansas City, Chicago
Texas Eagle	Chicago, Springfield, St. Louis, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Tucson, Palm Springs, Los Angeles
Wolverine	Chicago, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Detroit

Travel Times

Trip	Travel Time	Route
Chicago-Milwaukee	1.5 hours	Hiawatha
Chicago-Kenosha	1.75 hours	Metra Union Pacific North
St. Louis-Jefferson City	2.5 hours	Missouri River Runner
Chicago-Springfield	3 hours	Lincoln Service, Texas Eagle
Chicago-St. Louis	5 hours	Lincoln Service, Missouri River Runner, Texas Eagle
Chicago-Indianapolis	5 hours	Cardinal
Chicago-Detroit	5.5 hours	Wolverine
Chicago-Cleveland	6-7 hours	Floridian, Lake Shore Limited
Chicago-Kansas City	7.5 hours	Southwest Chief
Chicago-Minneapolis/St. Paul	7.5-8 hours	Borealis, Empire Builder
Chicago-Omaha	9 hours	California Zephyr

Midwest Train Travel FAQ

What are the main Amtrak routes in the Midwest?

The Empire Builder, California Zephyr, and Southwest Chief and the popular long-distance routes that travel between Chicago and the West Coast. The Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Floridian, Lake Shore Limited, and Texas Eagle are other long-distance routes, plus there are several regional routes that travel in Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. The Hiawatha is one of the main short routes with service between Chicago and Milwaukee.

Which Midwest Amtrak route is the most scenic?

The Empire Builder has the most scenic views of the Midwest on eastbound trains, followed by the Missouri River Runner for river scenery. The most scenic overall is the California Zephyr, which departs from Chicago and travels through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada (the best scenery is west of Denver).

What is the most reliable Amtrak route in the Midwest?

Short-distance, state-supported routes such as the Hiawatha (Chicago–Milwaukee) and Lincoln Service (Chicago–St. Louis) tend to be the most reliable.

Do Midwest Amtrak trains have Wi-Fi and outlets?

Most regional routes have Wi-Fi and outlets. Long-distance routes that travel west usually have outlets but no Wi-Fi.

Are Midwest Amtrak trains usually on time?

Short-distance routes are typically more punctual. Long-distance trains face more delays due to freight traffic, weather, and single-track segments.

What small towns in the Midwest are great to visit by train?

Walkable small towns and small cities that are great to visit by train include Holland (MI), Galesburg (IL), Hermann (MO), Wisconsin Dells (WI), Springfield (IL), and New Buffalo (MI).

What Midwest train routes offer access to national parks?

The Empire Builder provides easy access to Glacier National Park. There are also guided trips to Mt. Rainier National Park from Seattle.
The Southwest Chief can take you to the Grand Canyon via Flagstaff.
The California Zephyr stops in Denver, which has guided tours and car rentals for visiting Rocky Mountains National Park.