Empire Builder Amtrak Train Route: Stops, Schedules & Amenities

The American West unfolds like a storybook from the window of the Empire Builder, a scenic journey lasting approximately 46 hours. Traveling daily between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, the route follows much of the historic Lewis and Clark Trail, revealing the Mississippi River, Minneapolis-St. Paul skyline, and North Dakota plains.

As the train enters Montana, the scenery becomes even more dramatic, with views of Glacier National Park and the Gassman Coulee Trestle. From Spokane, passengers can continue toward Seattle or head through the Columbia River Gorge to Portland, enjoying spectacular landscapes and unforgettable views throughout this remarkable cross-country adventure.

Key Amtrak Stations on the Empire Builder Train Route 

The Empire Builder route connects several important stations across the northern United States, linking the Midwest with the Pacific Northwest. Along its journey, passengers can enjoy a comfortable and scenic journey through diverse landscapes while making convenient stops at key destinations along the route. 

State	Empire Builder Station	Code	Station Address
Illinois	Chicago, IL – Union Station	CHI	255 South Clinton Street, Chicago, IL 60606-5702
Illinois	Glenview, IL	GLN	1116 Depot Street, Glenview, IL 60025
Wisconsin	Milwaukee, WI – Downtown	MKE	433 West St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Wisconsin	Columbus, WI	CBS	359 North Ludington Street, Columbus, WI 53925
Wisconsin	Portage, WI	POG	359 North Ludington Street, Columbus, WI 53925
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Dells, WI	WDL	100 LaCrosse Street, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Wisconsin	Tomah, WI	TOH	North Superior Avenue and Washington Street, Tomah, WI 54660
Wisconsin	La Crosse, WI – Amtrak Station	LSE	601 St. Andrew Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
Minnesota	Winona, MN	WIN	65 East Mark Street, Winona, MN 55987
Minnesota	Red Wing, MN	RDW	420 Levee Street, Red Wing, MN 55066
Minnesota	St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN – Union Depot	MSP	240 Kellogg Boulevard East, St. Paul, MN 55101
Minnesota	St. Cloud, MN	SCD	555 East Saint Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN 56304-0751
Minnesota	Staples, MN	SPL	First Avenue N.E. and Fourth Street N.E., Staples, MN 56479
Minnesota	Detroit Lakes, MN	DLK	116 Pioneer Street, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
North Dakota	Fargo, ND	FAR	420 4th Street North, Fargo, ND 58102
North Dakota	Grand Forks, ND	GFK	5555 DeMers Avenue, Grand Forks, ND 58201
North Dakota	Devils Lake, ND	DVL	Railroad Avenue and Third Street, Devils Lake, ND 58301
North Dakota	Rugby, ND	RUG	201 West Dewey Street, Rugby, ND 58368
North Dakota	Minot, ND	MOT	400 1st Avenue S.W., Minot, ND 58701
North Dakota	Stanley, ND	STN	Main Street & Railroad Avenue, Stanley, ND 58784
North Dakota	Williston, ND	WTN	1 South Main Street, Williston, ND 58801-6057
Montana	Wolf Point, MT	WPT	320 Front Street, Wolf Point, MT 59201-1413
Montana	Glasgow, MT	GGW	424 1st Avenue South, Glasgow, MT 59230-2396
Montana	Malta, MT	MAL	51 South 1st Street East, Malta, MT 59538-1732
Montana	Havre, MT	HAV	235 Main Street, Havre, MT 59501-3599
Montana	Shelby, MT	SBY	230 West Central Avenue, Shelby, MT 59474-2050
Montana	Cut Bank, MT	CUT	101 BNSF Industrial Site, Cut Bank, MT 59427-2934
Montana	Browning, MT	BRO	Heart Butte Road and Depot Road, Browning, MT 59417
Montana	East Glacier Park, MT	GPK	400 Highway 49 North, East Glacier Park, MT 59434
Montana	Essex, MT	ESM	290 Izaak Walton Inn Road, Essex, MT 59916-9710
Montana	West Glacier, MT	WGL	12544 US Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT 59936
Montana	Whitefish, MT	WFH	500 Depot Street, Whitefish, MT 59937-2567
Montana	Libby, MT	LIB	100 Mineral Avenue, Libby, MT 59923-1933
Idaho	Sandpoint, ID	SPT	450 Railroad Depot Rd, Sandpoint, ID 83864
Washington	Spokane, WA – Amtrak Station	SPK	221 West 1st Avenue, Spokane, WA 99201-3704
Washington	Pasco, WA	PSC	535 North 1st Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301-5378
Washington	Wishram, WA	WIH	1 Railroad Avenue, Wishram, WA 98673
Washington	Bingen-White Salmon, WA	BNG	Highway 14 and Walnut Street, Bingen, WA 98605
Washington	Vancouver, WA	VAN	1301 West 11th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
Oregon	Portland, OR – Union Station	PDX	800 NW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97209-3789
Washington	Ephrata, WA	EPH	800 NW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97209-3789
Washington	Wenatchee, WA – Amtrak Station	WEN	1 Kittitas Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801-6008
Washington	Leavenworth, WA – Icicle Station	LWA	11645 North Road, Leavenworth, WA 98826
Washington	Everett, WA	EVR	3201 Smith Avenue, Everett, WA 98201
Washington	Edmonds, WA	EDM	211 Railroad Avenue, Edmonds, WA 98020-4132
Washington	Seattle, WA – King Street Station	SEA	303 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104-2868

Empire Builder Train Schedule and Timings 

Arrival and Departure Stations: The Amtrak Empire Builder travels between Chicago, Illinois, and Seattle, Washington, with a branch route extending to Portland, Oregon. Major stops along the journey include Milwaukee, Wisconsin; St. Paul-Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota; Whitefish, Montana; and Spokane, Washington.

• Travel Time: The complete journey takes approximately 46 hours, depending on the direction and schedule.
• Mileage: The Empire Builder covers roughly 2,205 miles, offering passengers a scenic cross-country travel experience.
• Departure Schedule: The train operates daily, giving passengers convenient options when planning their journey.

How to Check the Latest Empire Builder Schedule

Follow these simple steps to find the most recent schedule information for the Amtrak Empire Builder:

1. Visit Amtrak’s official website.
2. On the homepage, open the “Plan” or “Travel” section and look for “Schedules” or “Timetables.”
3. Enter Chicago as your departure station and select Seattle or Portland as your destination based on your travel plans.
4. Select your preferred travel date to view the available schedules for that day.
5. Review the displayed departure and arrival times for trains operating on your selected route.
6. Check for any service alerts, delays, cancellations, or schedule changes that could affect your journey.
7. You can also use the Amtrak mobile app to check train schedules and receive updated travel information.
8. For specific questions or personalised assistance, contact Amtrak customer service for the latest schedule details.
9. Check the schedule again shortly before your departure to make sure there have been no last-minute changes.

Explore All Amtrak Routes: Access the different Amtrak routes operating across the United States and plan your next rail journey.

Facilities Available on the Amtrak Empire Builder Route

The Empire Builder provides a variety of onboard services and amenities designed to make your long-distance journey comfortable and convenient. From different seating and sleeping arrangements to dining, baggage, bicycle, and pet travel options, passengers can choose services that best suit their needs.

• Checked Baggage Service: Passengers can check eligible luggage before boarding, making the journey more convenient. Baggage services may vary by train and station, so checking the latest requirements before traveling is recommended.
• Coach Class Seating: Coach Class offers comfortable seats with generous legroom and access to both upper and lower levels on Superliner equipment. It is a practical choice for passengers looking for an affordable way to enjoy the scenic route.
• Superliner Roomettes and Bedrooms: Passengers seeking additional privacy can choose accommodations such as Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Bedroom Suites. These private spaces provide a comfortable place to relax, sleep, and enjoy the long-distance journey.
• Family and Accessible Bedrooms: The Family Bedroom provides additional space for families traveling together. Accessible bedrooms are also available to accommodate passengers with mobility and accessibility requirements.
• Bicycle Transportation: Bicycle transportation is available on select Empire Builder services, including Trains 7 and 8. This allows cyclists to bring their bikes along while exploring destinations along the route. Availability and bicycle requirements should be confirmed before departure.
• Traditional Dining: Passengers staying in eligible sleeping accommodations may have access to traditional dining, where meals are served in a dedicated dining car for a more relaxed onboard experience.
• Cafe Service: The onboard Café offers convenient options such as snacks, beverages, and light meals for passengers looking for a quick refreshment during their journey.
• Onboard Meals: Depending on the service and accommodation selected, passengers may have access to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Menus and available meal choices can vary and may be updated periodically.
• Sample Menus: Passengers can review available sample menus to get an idea of the food and beverages offered onboard. Menu selections, availability, and prices may change and can differ from what is ultimately served during the trip.
• Special Meal Service: Certain segments, including the Spokane-Portland portion operated by Trains 27 and 28, may offer cold catered meals instead of traditional dining services.
• Pet Travel Program: Passengers traveling with a small dog or cat may be able to bring their pet onboard, subject to Amtrak’s pet travel rules. Travelers should review requirements concerning reservations, fares, carriers, and other applicable conditions before departure.

For questions about Amtrak routes, schedules, onboard services, or travel requirements, contact Amtrak representatives at 1-800-872-7245 or visit Amtrak’s official website.

Conclusion

Finally, the Empire Builder is a great choice for passengers who want to experience the beauty of the American West while traveling comfortably by train. With scenic views, convenient station stops, comfortable seating, sleeping accommodations, dining options, and pet and bicycle services, there is something for different types of passengers. Before your journey, check the latest schedule, choose the accommodation that suits you, and book your ticket in advance for a smoother and more enjoyable journey. 

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