Today we board Amtrak Fort Worth for a planned trip to Los Angeles by way Chicago. We selected a stop in Chicago for a few reasons. First, we had the time, train trips are not for those seeking a fast mode of transportation, opting for views and experiences. Also, the views taken in from Chicago are glorious as you take on the Rockies with the breath-taking scenes. And it is never a bad idea to take a few days to enjoy all that Chicago offers from a Cubs game to some of the best restaurants in America.
We begin our journey at Fort Worth’s Amtrak station, just west of Dallas, where the Texas Eagle awaits to carry you north to Chicago. Since Dallas itself lacks direct Amtrak service, Fort Worth is the practical gateway. The train departs Fort Worth and heads northeast toward Dallas before continuing through the wide Texas plains. This leg takes roughly 45 minutes to Dallas and then the full trip to Chicago takes about 19 hours from Fort Worth. Early on, you’ll pass small towns, open farmland, and oil fields—a quiet and steady introduction to the journey ahead.
As you roll into Oklahoma, the landscape shifts from flat plains to gentle hills and stretches of forest. The train stops in towns like Ardmore and Oklahoma City, where you can glimpse the mix of modern life and classic Midwestern charm. Continuing northeast, the route enters Arkansas with a stop in Little Rock, a riverside city with rich history and southern hospitality. From here, the train continues through Memphis, Tennessee, a city known for its musical heritage and famous barbecue. While stops here are brief, you get a sense of the cultural crossroads the train passes through.
Crossing into Missouri, the train arrives at St. Louis, where the iconic Gateway Arch towers over the Mississippi River. The station stop here allows you to see a glimpse of the city’s riverfront energy before heading further north into Illinois. After a series of smaller stops, you approach Chicago, reaching Union Station in about 19 hours from Fort Worth. Chicago’s station is a grand, historic terminal in the heart of the city—ideal for stretching your legs or spending time if you have a longer layover. This is where you take your planned mid-trip stop and layover a few days for some Chicago action.
From Chicago, you switch to the Southwest Chief, which takes about 43 hours to reach Los Angeles. The Southwest Chief heads west through Illinois farmlands and the rolling hills of Missouri and Kansas. Notable stops include Kansas City, with its rich jazz history and barbecue scene, and Topeka, Kansas, a city steeped in history. Let’s note that the station in Kansas City is remarkable and you might want to go here, here and here. Don’t forget the Cubs!
As the train moves into Colorado, the terrain becomes more dramatic, and you’ll pass through the Rocky Mountains, enjoying the breathtaking views around the Raton Pass near Trinidad, Colorado—a highlight for many travelers.
The train then continues into New Mexico with a stop in Albuquerque, where you can see a mix of southwestern culture and urban life. The desert landscapes dominate this stretch, opening wide with mesas, buttes, and vast open skies. After New Mexico, you enter Arizona’s high desert. Stops in Flagstaff and Williams place you close to the Grand Canyon region, where towering pine forests meet red rock formations, although the train doesn’t go directly into the park. Continuing west, the train crosses the Mojave Desert before finally descending into Los Angeles. Arrival at Union Station in LA marks the end of a roughly 62-hour trip from Chicago, covering about 2,200 miles.
Onboard accommodations range from coach seating to private rooms. Coach passengers have reclining seats and access to the café car, which sells snacks and light meals throughout the trip. Sleeper accommodations—Roomettes and Bedrooms—offer a private space to relax, sleep, and access showers. Meals are included for sleeper passengers, with freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, and dinners served in the dining car. You can expect dishes like eggs and bacon, grilled chicken, pasta, or steak, paired with complimentary drinks during dinner service.
The Sightseer Lounge car is a favorite spot, with large panoramic windows that offer uninterrupted views of the shifting landscapes. From rolling plains and river valleys to towering mountains and endless deserts, the lounge lets you experience the changing scenery in comfort.
In terms of cost, coach fares from Fort Worth to Chicago typically run between $100 and $150. Chicago to Los Angeles in coach ranges from about $150 to $200. Sleeper accommodations add several hundred dollars; Roomettes generally cost between $400 and $700 for the entire Chicago-to-Los Angeles journey, while Bedrooms can exceed $1,000 but include meals and extra amenities. Given the length of this multi-day trip—around 62 hours from Chicago to LA—many find the extra comfort of a sleeper worthwhile. There is a shorter route if you decide to forgo Chicago and go direct to San Antonio to El Paso, going on the LA. Amtrak has online trip planners with dozens of incredible destinations.
This journey combines the best of classic American rail travel: time to relax, watch the country’s vast and varied landscapes unfold, and enjoy comfortable dining and accommodations along the way. It’s a trip that invites you to slow down and truly see the heart of the country, from Texas plains to desert mountains to the Pacific Coast.
