Southwest Chief

The Southwest Chief is a long-distance Amtrak route that connects Chicago with Los Angeles and travels near the Grand Canyon. Deserts and mountains provide a spectacular backdrop for this epic journey that takes about 43 hours. For a virtual tour, listen to the Southwest Chief overview.

Things to Know

No WiFi and limited cell phone coverage.
The train is two levels tall and uses Superliner coach and sleeper cars.
New Mexico and Colorado are the states with daytime views and the best scenery.
There is a traditional dining car that is currently available to sleeper car passengers only and a café open to all passengers on the train.

Schedule

Visit the Amtrak timetable for the Southwest Chief to plan your trip. You can also view schedules when booking your tickets.

Highlights:

Trains depart and arrive in Chicago around 3 p.m.
Trains depart Los Angeles around 6 p.m.
Overnight, trains are in Arizona and Kansas.
Total trip time is almost two full days (two nights on the train).
Eastbound trains traveling toward Chicago arrive in Flagstaff in the middle of the night.
Travel eastbound in June to see the San Bernardino Mountains, Missouri River and Mississippi River.