Hiawatha Service — Schedules, Fares & Stops

The Hiawatha Service connects Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI over a 86-mile route operated by Amtrak (WisDOT/IDOT), calling at 5 stations across 2 states.

Quick Facts

Operator: Amtrak (WisDOT/IDOT)
Service type: State-Supported Corridor
Endpoints: Chicago ↔ Milwaukee
Distance: 86 mi
Frequency: Seven daily round trips
Stations: 5
States served: 2 (IL, WI)
Typical fare range: $17 – $35

Route guide

The Hiawatha Service is a state-supported corridor service operated by Amtrak (WisDOT/IDOT). Trains run Seven daily round trips over 86 miles of mainline track between Chicago Union Station and Milwaukee Intermodal, calling at 5 intermediate and terminal stations across 2 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.

What to watch for: Lake Michigan glimpses near Racine; views of downtown Milwaukee approaching the Intermodal.

History & service notes

A revival of the Milwaukee Road Hiawatha brand, this corridor is one of the most successful short-distance Amtrak services in the country with on-time performance routinely above 95%. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.

Equipment

Typical consist on the Hiawatha Service includes horizon and Amfleet I cars with 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 Milwaukee. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.

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	Glenview	22 mi	36m	$9 – $19
Glenview	Sturtevant	22 mi	36m	$9 – $19
Sturtevant	Milwaukee	22 mi	36m	$9 – $19
Milwaukee	Milwaukee	22 mi	36m	$9 – $19
Glenview	Milwaukee	65 mi	1h 28m	$14 – $30
Chicago	Sturtevant	43 mi	1h 2m	$12 – $25
Sturtevant	Milwaukee	43 mi	1h 2m	$12 – $25
Chicago	Milwaukee	65 mi	1h 28m	$14 – $30

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 Milwaukee. The corridor passes through cities including Chicago, Glenview, and Milwaukee, 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 Hiawatha Service'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.