Amtrak Long Distance Route

Amtrak Long Distance Route Tier List: Scenic Train Journeys

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If you’re dreaming of crossing the U.S. by train, no carrier captures that experience better than Amtrak. With over 21,000 miles of routes that stretch across mountains, plains, deserts, and coastlines, Amtrak offers both fast commuter corridors and multi-day long-distance services.

In this guide, we’ll focus on Amtrak’s long-distance routes—multi-day train journeys that cover 750+ miles and deliver some of the most breathtaking landscapes in North America. Using a tier list ranking system (S-tier = best, D-tier = weakest), we break down each route by:

  • Destinations served — major cities and regions along the line
  • Views & scenery — what makes the trip worth it visually
  • On-time performance — how reliable the service is
  • Consist (train equipment) — including Amtrak’s famous Superliner double-deck cars vs. single-level Viewliners
  • Dining & onboard amenities

B Tier Routes – Practical and Comfortable, But Missing the “Wow” Factor

Silver Service (Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Palmetto)

  • Route: New York City → Savannah/Miami
  • Highlights: Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Charleston, DC → NYC Corridor
  • Pros: Excellent destinations, traditional dining is back, essential East Coast connection
  • Cons: Few scenic views (mostly run overnight), no Sightseer Lounge

⭐ Ranking: B-tier for functionality and reach

Lake Shore Limited

  • Route: Chicago → New York/Boston
  • Highlights: Cleveland, Buffalo, Albany, Hudson River Valley
  • Pros: Scenic Hudson Valley stretch, decent on-time record
  • Cons: Mostly standard overnight service, limited amenities

⭐ Ranking: B-tier

City of New Orleans

  • Route: New Orleans → Chicago
  • Highlights: Jackson, Memphis
  • Pros: Runs with Superliner cars and a Sightseer Lounge, highest on-time percentage of any Amtrak LD route
  • Cons: Relatively plain scenery, lacks traditional dining

⭐ Ranking: B-tier

Auto Train

  • Route: Lorton, VA (near DC) → Sanford, FL (near Orlando)
  • Unique Feature: Passengers can bring their car onboard in special auto racks
  • Pros: Superliners, lounge cars, traditional dining, most unique Amtrak service
  • Cons: Scenic views are average, runs parallel to Silver Service route

⭐ Ranking: B-tier

A Tier Routes – Strong Scenic Value and Memorable Journeys

Empire Builder

  • Route: Chicago → Seattle/Portland (splits at Spokane)
  • Highlights: Glacier National Park, Pacific Northwest, Mississippi River Valley
  • Pros: Stunning Montana and Cascadia landscapes, iconic Western route, Sightseer Lounge
  • Cons: Limited major city stops, historically poor timekeeping

⭐ Ranking: A-tier for scenery despite reliability issues

S Tier Routes – The Absolute Best of Amtrak

California Zephyr

  • Route: Chicago → San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)
  • Highlights: Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevadas, Colorado River Canyon
  • Pros: Arguably the most beautiful train route in America, packed with scenery start-to-finish, Sightseer Lounge
  • Cons: Notoriously delayed, one of the worst on-time records

⭐  Ranking: S-tier — the “quintessential Amtrak experience”

Coast Starlight

  • Route: Los Angeles → Seattle
  • Highlights: Pacific coastline, Mount Shasta, Cascades, Bay Area, Portland
  • Pros: Ocean views, mountains, great destinations, lounge cars, strong consistency
  • Cons: Lost some past luxury (used to include extra lounges with entertainment)

⭐  Ranking: S-tier — the crown jewel of Amtrak travel

C Tier – Solid but Flawed

  • Capital Limited – Chicago → DC. Weak views (night running), Superliner shortage.
  • Cardinal – Chicago → NYC (via West Virginia). Beautiful Appalachia vistas, but only runs 3x per week, old equipment.
  • Sunset Limited – New Orleans → Los Angeles. Amazing moments (like Posoos High Bridge), but worst delays in the system.
  • Southwest Chief – Chicago → LA (Route 66 alignment). Good destinations and scenery, but still less impressive than Zephyr or Empire Builder.

⭐ Ranking: C-tier mixed bag

D Tier – Least Impressive

  • Crescent – NYC → New Orleans. Scenic potential, but mostly forest and farmland. Limited destinations compared to Silver Service.
  • Texas Eagle – Chicago → San Antonio, with limited Los Angeles extension. America’s longest Amtrak route on paper, but suffers from reduced consists and limited frequency west of Texas.

⭐ Ranking: D-tier, weaker experiences overall

Amtrak Long-Distance Route Rankings

  • S-tier: California Zephyr, Coast Starlight
  • A-tier: Empire Builder
  • B-tier: Silver Service, Lake Shore Limited, City of New Orleans, Auto Train
  • C-tier: Capital Limited, Cardinal, Sunset Limited, Southwest Chief
  • D-tier: Crescent, Texas Eagle

Final Words– Which Amtrak Route Should You Take?

If you’re after once-in-a-lifetime scenery, pick the California Zephyr or Coast Starlight. If you want a reliable and comfortable long-distance journey, consider the City of New Orleans or Empire Builder. For practicality along the East Coast, the Silver Service trains remain essential.

No matter which you choose, riding Amtrak gives you the chance to truly see America at ground level — something no plane or highway can match.

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