The United States still has the largest railway transport network in the world at more than 150,000 miles, and the railway industry continues to bring in billions of dollars per year. In an age of fast cars, ride-sharing, and cheap flights, Americans still love passenger train travel and hold trains in high regard.
A recent Amtrak survey shows 92% of Americans support continued investment in America’s railways. Furthermore, 81% want their state to invest in railway travel and bring passenger rail service to their area.
A ride on an Amtrak train offers passengers of all ages a chance to see the beauty of the Midwest in an entirely different way. From the north woods of Wisconsin to Michigan’s Great Lakes to the Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio, these routes are perfect for driving, but traveling by train to see historic towns and sprawling countryside is a method of travel many Midwesterners prefer.
“If you want to see what America really looks like, take a ride on Amtrak because you’ll go where people live, see their backyards, and see what the Midwest can offer,” Marc Magliari, an Amtrak spokesman for the Midwest, tells Awesome Mitten.
A Hassle-Free Way to Travel
At a time when there are more than 270 million cars on U.S. roads, riding an Amtrak train is one of the more comfortable ways to get from here to there, Magliari says.
Aboard an Amtrak train, passengers can sleep, make phone calls, watch videos, and do many other things they can’t (or shouldn’t) do when driving.
Not only does Amtrak offer flexibility, but it also offers affordability. Aboard a train, passengers can avoid driving on traffic-clogged highways, paying for gas, paying road tolls, and wear and tear on their vehicles.
Plus, Amtrak doesn’t skimp on comfort. Amtrak’s amenities include Wi-Fi, quiet cars, on-board dining, and different seating options, so passengers can personalize trips to maximize their relaxation.
“We’re a much better option for people looking for a better way to get around,” Magliari said. “We’re also a relaxing way to get around.”
A Relaxing Journey Through the Midwest
Amtrak offers customers affordability and comfort, but at its core, Amtrak is all about connecting people, especially in the Midwest.
For students, especially those at major universities, Amtrak is an affordable option for traveling between home and school.
Getting from here to there is hassle-free with Amtrak routes that include trips from Milwaukee to Chicago, Illinois services, which travel to more than two dozen cities, including Chicago and Champaign, the Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner, which counts Chicago, St. Louis, and Kansas City among its stops, and routes in Michigan that connect Chicago to Michigan cities like Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Detroit.
Amtrak data from the fiscal year 2022 shows that Midwest passengers take full advantage of Amtrak’s wide range of routes. Over half a million riders rode Michigan-based trains, and more than two million individuals rode on some of the Midwest’s most popular routes.
An Interesting, Fulfilling Slice of Life
In more than 20 years of traveling on Amtrak trains, Magliari said he’s seen no shortage of interesting things or people, including marriage proposals, families traveling on vacation, the occasional celebrity, and even politicians riding to and from work.
Passengers of all kinds can have an eye-opening, unique experience when they board a Midwest Amtrak train. In many ways, it’s more advantageous than a flight or a car ride. On board an Amtrak train, passengers can get up and walk around, chat with friends, family, or fellow passengers, and marvel as they pass big cities, small towns, farmlands, forests, and much more on their journey.
Amtrak in the Midwest offers passengers many picturesque routes, whether traveling through brightly colored forests in the fall or sun-kissed fields in the summer.
Book a Midwest Amtrak Trip Today
From corner to corner and state to state, the Midwest has many magnificent scenic train rides and historic train stations that passengers of all ages can enjoy.
Amtrak offers a perfect way to enjoy a comfortable and memorable trip through the Midwest, whether one is seeking scenic fall color views, looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy a new view of the region, or simply seeking a fun trip to enjoy with family and friends.
