Explore Amtrak train routes by state, region, and feature, from long-distance trains to regional routes great for day and weekend trips. Already have a route in mind? View station guides for scenery highlights, route overviews, popular stops, and travel tips.
Routes by State
Routes by Region
Routes by Feature
- Long-distance Amtrak routes
- Amtrak routes with sleeper cars
- Amtrak routes with observation cars
- Amtrak routes with family bedrooms
- 10 most scenic Amtrak routes
- Most scenic Amtrak routes on the East Coast
- Most scenic Amtrak routes on the West Coast
Best Routes by Season
Weather and daylight change the experience on certain Amtrak routes. Some trains offer amazing fall foliage scenery, while others shine in winter snow or summer sunlight. The seasonal guides here highlight which routes are worth riding at specific times of year and explain what scenery or events make each trip special.
Amtrak Route Guides
Explore scenery highlights, route facts, stations, and travel tips with the following Amtrak route guides.
| Route | Region | Popular Stops |
| Acela | Northeast / Mid-Atlantic | Boston, New York City, Washington D.C. |
| Adirondack | Northeast / Canada | New York, Albany, Montreal |
| Auto Train | East Coast | Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL |
| Berkshire Flyer | Northeast | Pittsfield, New York |
| Blue Water | Midwest | |
| Borealis | Midwest | Chicago, Milwuakee, St. Paul |
| California Zephyr | Midwest / West | Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, Sacramento |
| Capitol Corridor | California | |
| Cardinal | Midwest / Northeast | New York, Washington D.C., Charlottesville, Chicago |
| Carolinian | Mid-Atlantic / Southeast | New York, Washington D.C., Raleigh, Charlotte |
| Cascades | Pacific Northwest | Portland, Seattle, Vancouver BC |
| City of New Orleans | Midwest / South | Chicago, Memphis, Jackson, New Orleans |
| Coast Starlight | West Coast | Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Portland, Seattle |
| Crescent | East Coast / Southeast | New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, New Orleans |
| Downeaster | New England | Portland (Maine), Boston |
| Empire Builder | Midwest / Northwest | Chicago, Minneapolis, Spokane, Seattle |
| Empire Service | New York State | New York, Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo |
| Ethan Allen Express | Northeast | New York, Albany, Rutland, Burlington, VT |
| Gold Runner | California | Sacramento, Oakland, Bakersfield |
| Hartford Line | New England | Hartford, New Haven |
| Heartland Flyer | Midwest / South | Fort Worth, OK City |
| Hiawatha | Midwest | Chicago, Milwaukee |
| Illini / Saluki | Illinois | Chicago, Champaign-Urbana, Carbondale |
| Illinois Zephyr / Carl Sandburg | Illinois | Chicago, Galesburg, Quincy |
| Keystone Service | Northeast | Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York City |
| Lake Shore Limited | Midwest / Northeast | Chicago, Cleveland, Boston, New York |
| Lincoln Service | Midwest | Chicago, Springfield, St. Louis |
| Maple Leaf | Northeast / Canada | New York, Albany, Buffalo, Toronto |
| Mardi Gras | Gulf Coast | Mobile, Biloxi, New Orleans |
| Missouri River Runner | Midwest | St. Louis, Kansas City |
| Northeast Regional | Northeast / Mid-Atlantic | Boston, Hartford, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Richmond, Norfolk |
| Pacific Surfliner | California | San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo |
| Palmetto | East Coast / Southeast | New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Savannah, Charleston |
| Pennsylvanian | Northeast | New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh |
| Pere Marquette | Midwest | Chicago, Grand Rapids |
| Piedmont | North Carolina | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Charlotte |
| Silver Meteor | East Coast / Southeast | New York, Washington D.C., Savannah, Miami |
| Southwest Chief | Midwest / Southwest | Chicago, Kansas City, Albuquerque, Los Angeles |
| Sunset Limited | South / Southwest | New Orleans, Houston, Tucson, Los Angeles |
| Texas Eagle | Midwest / South / Southwest | Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, San Antonio, Los Angeles (via Sunset Limited) |
| Vermonter | Northeast | Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Brattleboro |
| Wolverine | Midwest | Chicago, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Pontiac |
FAQ
What are the most popular Amtrak routes in the U.S.?
Acela and the Northeast Regional are popular commuter trains on the East Coast that connect major cities from Boston to Norfolk. On the West Coast, the Pacific Surliner is a popular route in Southern California with amazing ocean views. The long-distance routes with the most ridership are the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Floridian and the Lake Shore Limited.
Which Amtrak route is the most scenic?
The California Zephyr is widely considered the most scenic Amtrak route, offering Rocky Mountain, Sierra Nevada and Colorado River views. The Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Adirondack are also popular for their landscapes. And for those who love deserts, the Southwest Chief is a scenic option.
What is the longest Amtrak route?
The longest route is the Texas Eagle when combined with the Sunset Limited, traveling over 2,700 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
What is the shortest Amtrak route?
The Hartford Line is the shortest Amtrak route. It travels 62 miles between Springfield, MA and New Haven, CT.
What are the best Amtrak routes for overnight travel?
One of the best routes for overnight travel is the Coast Starlight, which has beautiful scenery and requires just one night on the train. Viewliner trains also tend to have less movement because they are only one level tall (vs the two-level Superliner trains). Otherwise, it depends on the scenery you want to see. View Amtrak routes with sleeper cars to learn more.
Which Amtrak routes go cross-country?
The California Zephyr, Empire Builder, Southwest Chief and the combined Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited are the longest-distance Amtrak routes. Although you can’t travel coast to coast on a single train, you can cross the country by changing trains in Chicago or New Orleans. See 8 cross-country Amtrak trips for recommended itineraries.
Which Amtrak routes go to national parks?
View the list of national parks that are easiest to reach on Amtrak. Several routes provide access, including:
- Empire Builder → Glacier National Park
- Southwest Chief → Grand Canyon (via Flagstaff)
- California Zephyr → Rocky Mountain National Park (via Denver)
- Coast Starlight → Mt. Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, Crater Lake
How can I find Amtrak routes near me?
View the list of Amtrak routes by state.
Which Amtrak routes run overnight through certain states?
Many long-distance trains run during late-night or early-morning hours through Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina and Ohio. View the states with the worst Amtrak arrival times to learn more.
Do major U.S. cities without Amtrak service have nearby alternative stations?
Amtrak buses (thruway) provide service to additional destinations. Search for cities on the Amtrak.com homepage in the “from” or “to” box to view your options.
Are there high-speed Amtrak routes?
The Acela is Amtrak’s only high-speed service, operating between Boston and Washington, D.C. at speeds up to 150 mph.
What is the cheapest Amtrak route?
There are cheap tickets on all Amtrak routes if you book coach seats and travel a shorter over longer distance.
Can you take Amtrak to Canada?
Yes. The Maple Leaf (New York–Toronto), Adirondack (New York–Montreal) and Cascades (Seattle–Vancouver) travel into Canada.
US Train Travel Guide 
