Sunset Limited

The Sunset Limited connects New Orleans, LA and Los Angeles, CA over a 1,995-mile route operated by Amtrak, calling at 14 stations across 4 states.

Route guide

The Sunset Limited is a long-distance service operated by Amtrak. Trains run Tri-weekly over 1,995 miles of mainline track between New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and Los Angeles Union Station, calling at 14 intermediate and terminal stations across 4 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.

What to watch for: Big Bend country and Chihuahuan Desert through the Texas Trans-Pecos; sunrise across the Sonoran Desert outside Tucson.

History & service notes

The oldest named train in the United States, having operated continuously since 1894 under the Southern Pacific. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.

Equipment

Typical consist on the Sunset Limited includes superliner sleepers, coaches, Sightseer Lounge, dining car. 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 New Orleans to Los Angeles. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.

• New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal — New Orleans, LA NOL
• Schriever — Schriever, LA SDL
• Lafayette — Lafayette, LA LFT
• Lake Charles — Lake Charles, LA LCH
• Beaumont — Beaumont, TX BMT
• Houston — Houston, TX HOS
• San Antonio — San Antonio, TX SAS
• Del Rio — Del Rio, TX DRT
• Alpine — Alpine, TX ALP
• El Paso — El Paso, TX ELP
• Tucson — Tucson, AZ TUS
• Maricopa — Maricopa, AZ MRC
• Yuma — Yuma, AZ YUM
• Los Angeles Union Station — Los Angeles, CA LAX

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.

Connections & transfers

Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From New Orleans, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Los Angeles. The corridor passes through cities including New Orleans, Schriever, and Los Angeles, 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.