The Illinois Zephyr & Carl Sandburg connects Chicago, IL and Quincy, IL over a 258-mile route operated by Amtrak (IDOT), calling at 8 stations across 1 state.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- Amtrak (IDOT)
- Service type
- State-Supported Corridor
- Endpoints
- Chicago ↔ Quincy
- Distance
- 258 mi
- Frequency
- Two daily round trips
- Stations
- 8
- States served
- 1 (IL)
- Typical fare range
- $27 – $49
Route guide
The Illinois Zephyr & Carl Sandburg is a state-supported corridor service operated by Amtrak (IDOT). Trains run Two daily round trips over 258 miles of mainline track between Chicago Union Station and Quincy, calling at 8 intermediate and terminal stations across 1 state. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.
What to watch for: Mississippi River bluff approach into Quincy.
History & service notes
The Illinois Zephyr (1971) was the original CB&Q-derived service to Quincy; the Carl Sandburg (2006) added a second daily trip. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.
Equipment
Typical consist on the Illinois Zephyr & Carl Sandburg includes horizon coaches and a single business-class car with Charger SC-44. 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 Quincy. 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
- Naperville — Naperville, IL
- Mendota — Mendota, IL
- Princeton, IL — Princeton, IL
- Kewanee — Kewanee, IL
- Galesburg — Galesburg, IL
- Macomb — Macomb, IL
- Quincy — Quincy, IL
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 | Naperville | 37 mi | 54m | $13 – $24 |
| Naperville | Mendota | 37 mi | 54m | $13 – $24 |
| Mendota | Princeton | 37 mi | 54m | $13 – $24 |
| Princeton | Kewanee | 37 mi | 54m | $13 – $24 |
| Kewanee | Galesburg | 37 mi | 54m | $13 – $24 |
| Galesburg | Macomb | 37 mi | 54m | $13 – $24 |
| Macomb | Quincy | 37 mi | 54m | $13 – $24 |
| Naperville | Quincy | 221 mi | 4h 35m | $25 – $45 |
| Chicago | Mendota | 74 mi | 1h 39m | $15 – $28 |
| Mendota | Quincy | 184 mi | 3h 51m | $22 – $41 |
| Chicago | Princeton | 111 mi | 2h 23m | $18 – $32 |
| Princeton | Quincy | 147 mi | 3h 6m | $20 – $36 |
| Chicago | Kewanee | 147 mi | 3h 6m | $20 – $36 |
| Kewanee | Quincy | 111 mi | 2h 23m | $18 – $32 |
| Chicago | Galesburg | 184 mi | 3h 51m | $22 – $41 |
| Galesburg | Quincy | 74 mi | 1h 39m | $15 – $28 |
| Chicago | Macomb | 221 mi | 4h 35m | $25 – $45 |
| Naperville | Kewanee | 111 mi | 2h 23m | $18 – $32 |
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 Quincy. The corridor passes through cities including Chicago, Naperville, and Quincy, 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.
Further Reading on the Illinois Zephyr & Carl Sandburg
- Riding the Illinois Zephyr & Carl Sandburg: a first-timer's full-route diary
- Best window seats and viewing tips along the line