6 days ago
Map Shows States With the Most Amtrak Services
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Amtrak provides a vital service to U.S. commuters; however, many states have limited access to its train network, and several states have no service at all.
According to data mapped by Newsweek, the vast majority of states have access to only a handful of Amtrak routes, with over half of all states having fewer than three routes passing through their stops.
Why It Matters
Amtrak is the largest high-speed rail provider in the United States, carrying over 30 million passengers annually. It is supported by state and federal subsidies, much of which is focused on maintaining the Northeast Corridor, which is the busiest part of its network.
What To Know
Amtrak lists 39 routes across the country on its Routes and Destinations website, with many connecting to Canada in the northeast.
Along with Alaska and Hawaii, which are not connected to the mainland U.S., Wyoming and South Dakota are the only states in the country that do not have any Amtrak rail service.
The state with the highest number of routes is New York, with 14, which benefits from being a financial and tourism hub with a high degree of travel, and being well placed to connect to the Midwest and Washington, D.C.
The second-highest was Illinois, with 12 routes, thanks to Chicago's status as a transportation hub in the Midwest. Many routes to other parts of the U.S., such as the Texas Eagle and the California Zephyr, terminate in Chicago.
Many states in the South and the West benefit from major routes passing through them. Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, North Dakota, and Montana all have only one major service calling at stops there, with final destinations in bordering states.
The Northeast Corridor, which runs between Boston and Washington, D.C., with major metropolitan stops in New York City and Philadelphia, accounted for more than 14 million riders in fiscal year 2024—a 15.9 percent increase from the previous year.
What People Are Saying
In a statement given to Newsweek, Amtrak said: "Amtrak is meeting record demand, all while delivering mega construction projects, upgrading fleet, and serving more places with state partners. With strong federal support from the Trump-Vance administration, Amtrak can continue investments in American infrastructure and jobs, strengthen the economy, and make America a world leader in rail once again."
What Happens Next
Amtrak is undergoing major construction work in nearly 30 areas along the Northeast Corridor, where the majority of its tracks are located.
