Blue Water — Schedules, Fares & Stops

The Blue Water connects Chicago, IL and Port Huron, MI over a 319-mile route operated by Amtrak (MDOT), calling at 7 stations across 3 states.

Quick Facts

Operator: Amtrak (MDOT)
Service type: State-Supported Corridor
Endpoints: Chicago ↔ Port Huron
Distance: 319 mi
Frequency: Daily
Stations: 7
States served: 3 (IL, IN, MI)
Typical fare range: $27 – $55

Route guide

The Blue Water is a state-supported corridor service operated by Amtrak (MDOT). Trains run Daily over 319 miles of mainline track between Chicago Union Station and Port Huron, calling at 7 intermediate and terminal stations across 3 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.

What to watch for: Lower Michigan farmland; St. Clair River at Port Huron, the international border with Sarnia, Ontario.

History & service notes

Named for the Blue Water Bridge, the service connects Chicago with the easternmost point of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.

Equipment

Typical consist on the Blue Water includes amfleet and Horizon coaches, Charger locomotives. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.

Stops along the route

Stations are listed in geographical order from Chicago to Port Huron. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.

Chicago Union Station — Chicago, IL CHI
Hammond–Whiting — Hammond, IN HMI
Battle Creek — Battle Creek, MI BTL
Durand — Durand, MI DRD
Flint — Flint, MI FLT
Lapeer — Lapeer, MI LPR
Port Huron — Port Huron, MI PTH

Sample fares & travel times

Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.

From	To	Distance	Time	Fare
Chicago	Hammond	53 mi	1h 14m	$14 – $28
Hammond	Battle Creek	53 mi	1h 14m	$14 – $28
Battle Creek	Durand	53 mi	1h 14m	$14 – $28
Durand	Flint	53 mi	1h 14m	$14 – $28
Flint	Lapeer	53 mi	1h 14m	$14 – $28
Lapeer	Port Huron	53 mi	1h 14m	$14 – $28
Hammond	Port Huron	266 mi	5h 29m	$24 – $50
Chicago	Battle Creek	106 mi	2h 17m	$16 – $33
Battle Creek	Port Huron	213 mi	4h 26m	$22 – $44
Chicago	Durand	160 mi	3h 22m	$19 – $39
Durand	Port Huron	160 mi	3h 22m	$19 – $39
Chicago	Flint	213 mi	4h 26m	$22 – $44
Flint	Port Huron	106 mi	2h 17m	$16 – $33
Chicago	Lapeer	266 mi	5h 29m	$24 – $50
Hammond	Flint	160 mi	3h 22m	$19 – $39
Battle Creek	Lapeer	160 mi	3h 22m	$19 – $39

Connections & transfers

Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From Chicago, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Port Huron. The corridor passes through cities including Chicago, Hammond, and Port Huron, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.

Trip planning tip. The Blue Water's lowest fares typically appear when booked 14 days or more in advance, and on midweek departures. Same-day "walk-up" fares are usually closer to the upper end of the range shown. Saver and Value buckets sell out first.