The Lincoln Service connects Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO over a 284-mile route operated by Amtrak (IDOT), calling at 10 stations across 2 states.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- Amtrak (IDOT)
- Service type
- State-Supported Corridor
- Endpoints
- Chicago ↔ St. Louis
- Distance
- 284 mi
- Frequency
- Four daily round trips
- Stations
- 10
- States served
- 2 (IL, MO)
- Typical fare range
- $25 – $55
Route guide
The Lincoln Service is a state-supported corridor service operated by Amtrak (IDOT). Trains run Four daily round trips over 284 miles of mainline track between Chicago Union Station and St. Louis Gateway, calling at 10 intermediate and terminal stations across 2 states.
What to watch for: Central Illinois farmland; the rebuilt corridor supports 110-mph running between Joliet and Alton.
History & service notes
Named for Abraham Lincoln, the service has been progressively upgraded since 2010 with high-speed trackwork, new Siemens Charger locomotives, and refurbished cars.
Equipment
Typical consist on the Lincoln Service includes horizon and Amfleet I cars with Charger SC-44 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 St. Louis. 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
- Summit — Summit, IL
- Joliet — Joliet, IL
- Pontiac — Pontiac, IL
- Bloomington–Normal — Normal, IL
- Lincoln, IL — Lincoln, IL
- Springfield, IL — Springfield, IL
- Carlinville — Carlinville, IL
- Alton — Alton, IL
- St. Louis Gateway — St. Louis, MO
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 | Summit | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Summit | Joliet | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Joliet | Pontiac | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Pontiac | Normal | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Normal | Lincoln | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Lincoln | Springfield | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Springfield | Carlinville | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Carlinville | Alton | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Alton | St. Louis | 32 mi | 48m | $12 – $26 |
| Summit | St. Louis | 252 mi | 5h 12m | $23 – $51 |
| Chicago | Joliet | 63 mi | 1h 26m | $13 – $29 |
| Joliet | St. Louis | 221 mi | 4h 35m | $22 – $48 |
| Chicago | Pontiac | 95 mi | 2h 4m | $15 – $33 |
| Pontiac | St. Louis | 189 mi | 3h 57m | $20 – $44 |
| Chicago | Normal | 126 mi | 2h 41m | $17 – $37 |
| Normal | St. Louis | 158 mi | 3h 20m | $18 – $40 |
| Chicago | Lincoln | 158 mi | 3h 20m | $18 – $40 |
| Lincoln | St. Louis | 126 mi | 2h 41m | $17 – $37 |
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 St. Louis. The corridor passes through cities including Chicago, Summit, and St. Louis, each with its own onward service map.