The Complete Guide to the Amtrak Southwest Chief Train

This route appeals to history buffs, national park visitors, and anyone looking for a classic cross-country rail experience. Following much of the historic Santa Fe Trail, the Southwest Chief provides a scenic alternative to flying or driving across the Midwest and Southwest. It is particularly useful for travelers heading to the Grand Canyon, as it stops in Flagstaff and Williams Junction. The train also serves major hubs like Kansas City and Albuquerque, making it a practical option for regional trips. Whether you are booking a sleeper cabin for the full 43-hour trip or riding coach for a shorter daylight segment, the journey offers a comfortable way to see the changing landscapes of the United States.

Route overview

The Southwest Chief runs daily in each direction as of 2026, connecting Chicago and Los Angeles over a distance of about 2,265 miles. The complete journey takes about 43 hours end to end, which means passengers spend two nights on board.

Heading westbound from Illinois, the train crosses the Mississippi River and rolls through the farmland of Missouri and Kansas. The first night is spent crossing the plains. By the second day, the route climbs into the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico, passing through Raton Pass and the high desert. The train pauses for a long scheduled stop in Albuquerque, allowing passengers to step out onto the platform.

The second night covers western Arizona and eastern California. Passengers wake up for the final morning descent into the Los Angeles basin. Eastbound travelers experience a reversed schedule, meaning different sections of the route are seen in daylight. Major stops along the way include Kansas City, La Junta, Albuquerque, and Flagstaff. With connections to dozens of routes at Chicago Union Station, the Southwest Chief is a major link in the national network.

What you see, section by section

Chicago to Kansas City

Leaving Chicago, the train travels through the flat, open Illinois prairie. A notable highlight of this section is the crossing of the Mississippi River at Fort Madison. After entering Iowa briefly, the route continues south and west into the northern Missouri farmland. Westbound passengers will see this agricultural landscape during the late afternoon and evening, while eastbound travelers pass through during the morning hours before arriving in Illinois.

Kansas City to La Junta

From Kansas City, the Southwest Chief follows the old Santa Fe main line directly across the state of Kansas. Westbound trains cover this vast stretch of the Great Plains largely at night, meaning passengers wake up as the train approaches the Colorado border. Eastbound trains travel through Kansas during the day, offering hours of wide open views of the prairie, small farming towns, and distant horizons before arriving in Missouri in the evening.

Trinidad to Lamy

This section features the highest point on the route as the train climbs over Raton Pass at roughly 7,580 feet. The Southwest Chief is unusual because it shares this mountain pass with very little freight traffic. After crossing from Colorado into New Mexico, the landscape transitions to high plains and mesas. The tracks follow the historic Santa Fe Trail, passing through rugged terrain before reaching Lamy. Lamy serves as the stop for Santa Fe, which is about 18 miles away by shuttle.

Albuquerque to Flagstaff

Following a long rest stop at the Albuquerque station, the train heads west into the dramatic red rock country of western New Mexico. This afternoon stretch for westbound travelers provides excellent views of the desert landscape. As the route crosses into Arizona, it skirts the edges of the Painted Desert near Winslow. The terrain gradually changes as the train climbs toward the Ponderosa pine forests surrounding Flagstaff, a major gateway for Grand Canyon visitors.

Flagstaff to Los Angeles

After leaving the high elevation Ponderosa forests around Flagstaff and Williams Junction, the route descends into California. Westbound trains cross the Mojave Desert mostly at night. By early morning, the train navigates the winding curves of Cajon Pass before dropping into the densely populated Los Angeles basin. Eastbound passengers will see Cajon Pass and the Mojave Desert in the late afternoon and evening sunlight after departing Los Angeles.

Classes and onboard

• Coach with reclining seats and leg rests
• Superliner Roomette
• Superliner Bedroom
• Family Bedroom
• Accessible Bedroom
• Sightseer Lounge car
• Dining car

The Southwest Chief is an Amtrak long distance train equipped with bi-level Superliner cars. Passengers can choose between standard Coach with reclining seats and leg rests, or upgrade to private sleeper accommodations. The sleeping options include the Superliner Roomette, Superliner Bedroom, Family Bedroom, and Accessible Bedroom.

Amtrak roomettes and bedrooms include complimentary meals in the Dining car, making them a popular choice for the full 43-hour journey. Coach passengers can purchase food in the Sightseer Lounge car, which is open to everyone and features large windows for viewing the scenery. The Dining car provides sit-down meals, though access for coach passengers may depend on capacity. If you are traveling overnight, a sleeper provides a flat bed and more privacy. For shorter daytime trips, such as Chicago to Kansas City by train, coach is usually comfortable enough.