Empire Builder
Chicago, IL → Seattle, WA / Portland, OR · 2206 miles · 46h
2206 miles
46h
Daily
79 mph
8
About the Empire Builder
The northern transcontinental. Follows the Mississippi, crosses the Great Plains, skirts the southern edge of Glacier National Park, then splits at Spokane for Seattle and Portland.
What makes this route worth taking
- Glacier National Park access at East Glacier and West Glacier
- Marias Pass over the Continental Divide
- Columbia River Gorge on the Portland section
- Sightseer Lounge and traditional dining
- Splits into two trains at Spokane
Agent's tip
Summer Glacier departures sell out by March. Book the Seattle section for mountains, Portland for the Gorge.
Classes of service on this route
The Empire Builder operates with Superliner II. Available accommodation:
Sleeping-car fares on this route include all meals for everyone in the room, priority boarding, station lounge access where available and a dedicated car attendant. Once meals are priced separately, the gap between coach and a Roomette narrows considerably — and for two people travelling together it frequently closes entirely.
States and provinces served
Stations along the route
| # | Station |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago |
| 2 | Milwaukee |
| 3 | Columbus |
| 4 | Portage |
| 5 | Wisconsin Dells |
| 6 | Tomah |
| 7 | La Crosse |
| 8 | Winona |
| 9 | Red Wing |
| 10 | St. Paul-Minneapolis |
| 11 | St. Cloud |
| 12 | Fargo |
| 13 | Grand Forks |
| 14 | Devils Lake |
| 15 | Rugby |
| 16 | Minot |
| 17 | Stanley |
| 18 | Williston |
| 19 | Wolf Point |
| 20 | Glasgow |
| 21 | Malta |
| 22 | Havre |
| 23 | Shelby |
| 24 | Cut Bank |
| 25 | Browning |
| 26 | East Glacier Park |
| 27 | Essex |
| 28 | West Glacier |
| 29 | Whitefish |
| 30 | Libby |
| 31 | Sandpoint |
| 32 | Spokane |
| 33 | Ephrata |
| 34 | Wenatchee |
| 35 | Everett |
| 36 | Edmonds |
| 37 | Seattle |
Station lists reflect the principal calling pattern. Individual departures may omit stops or add seasonal calls. Schedules, equipment and station stops are set by the carrier and change without notice — confirm current details with your agent at the time of booking.
Booking the Empire Builder
Fares on this route move in buckets and only ever step upward, so the cheapest time to book is the moment your dates are firm. Our agents check the live reservation system, test alternative fare constructions, apply every discount you qualify for and — where the view matters — note your preferred side of the train on the reservation.
Call +1 (888) 821-4679 and describe the trip. Most bookings are confirmed inside five minutes.
