Lincoln Service Amtrak trains travel daily between Chicago and St. Louis. Day trips are possible on this Midwest route, which also stops at additional cities in Illinois. If you love history, be sure to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which is a short walk away from the Springfield, IL station. Learn more about the route below.
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Lincoln Service Overview
| Train Information | Facts & Highlights |
|---|---|
| Distance | 284 miles |
| Travel Time | 5 hours |
| Frequency | Multiple daily trains |
| End Stations | Chicago, St. Louis |
| Amenities | WiFi, cafe, coach seats, business class seats |
Popular Stops
Schedule Highlights
- There are multiple trains that travel on this route each day.
- Travel time between St. Louis and Springfield is about 2 hours.
- Travel time between Chicago and Springfield is about 3.5 hours.
- Travel time between Chicago and St. Louis is about 5 hours.
Things to Know
- Business class seats are available on this train.
- If you would like private accommodations on the trip between St. Louis and Chicago or between Springfield and Chicago, book tickets on the Texas Eagle.
- Exit at Springfield, Illinois to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
Stations
Explore the full list of Lincoln Service train stations in route order. Click the station names to view amenities and additional details on the Amtrak website.
- Chicago, IL – Union Station (CHI)
- Summit, IL (SMT)
- Joliet, IL – Gateway Center (JOL)
- Dwight, IL (DWT)
- Pontiac, IL (PON)
- Bloomington-Normal, IL – Uptown Station (BNL)
- Lincoln, IL (LCN)
- Springfield, IL (SPI)
- Carlinville, IL (CRV)
- Alton, IL (ALN)
- St. Louis, MO – Gateway Station (STL)
More Information
- Amtrak Stations in Illinois
- Amtrak Stations in Missouri
- Best Amtrak trips from Chicago
- Best Amtrak trips from St. Louis
- 10 best Midwest Amtrak trips
- St. Louis to Chicago on Amtrak
Top photo by Amy Lohrke (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Last updated January 2026
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