Chicago to Minneapolis

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

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Chicago to Minneapolis–St Paul is one of the Midwest's better-served rail corridors, with two very different Amtrak trains to choose from, plenty of buses, and an easy interstate drive if you would rather have a car. Here is how the options compare.

The daytime way: the Borealis

Launched as a second daily option alongside the long-running Empire Builder, the Borealis is a daytime train running the full distance between Chicago Union Station and Minneapolis–St Paul (Union Depot, St Paul) in around 8 hours, calling at Milwaukee, Columbus (Wisconsin), Wisconsin Dells, La Crosse and Winona along the way. It runs once a day in each direction and is the more convenient choice if you want to travel during the day and actually see the Mississippi River valley the route follows through western Wisconsin and Minnesota — a genuinely scenic stretch.

Coach seating is comfortable, with more legroom than a plane and a café car for the journey. Because it is a relatively new addition to the network, check current timetables carefully via the USA by train guide and Amtrak's own site, as schedules on newer state-supported routes are still liable to adjustment.

The overnight option: the Empire Builder

Amtrak's Empire Builder is the long-distance train that continues all the way to Seattle and Portland, and the Chicago–Minneapolis segment is its opening leg, also taking roughly 7.5–8 hours. Depending on the timetable, this can mean an evening departure from Chicago and a late-night or early-morning arrival in St Paul, or vice versa on the return. The Empire Builder carries Superliner Roomettes and Bedrooms as well as coach seating, so if you fancy a sleeper on a route this short it is available, with meals included in the sleeper fare — see how sleeper classes and reservations work across the network for the details.

Like all Amtrak long-distance trains, the Empire Builder runs largely on freight-owned track and can run late, particularly on the longer stretches further west — though the Chicago–Minneapolis segment tends to hold its schedule reasonably well as an early leg of the route.

The cheapest way: the long-distance bus

Coach operators including Jefferson Lines and FlixBus connect Chicago and Minneapolis, typically in around 8–9 hours with a change in Madison or Milwaukee on some routings. Fares are usually the lowest of any mode, especially booked in advance, and there are more departure options through the day than the once-daily trains. See the coaches in the USA guide for how booking and the regional networks work.

Driving between Chicago and Minneapolis

The drive is about 640 km (400 miles), mostly on Interstate 90 and Interstate 94 through Wisconsin, taking around 6.5–7.5 hours without long stops. It is the fastest door-to-door option and lets you detour to Madison or the Wisconsin Dells, but tolls apply on the Illinois Tollway and traffic around both metro areas can add real time at peak hours; see the driving in the USA guide for the basics of a US road trip.

Flying: quick but rarely necessary

Nonstop flights between Chicago's airports (both O'Hare and Midway) and Minneapolis–St Paul run frequently, with a flight time of around 1 hour 30 minutes. Once you add airport transfers, security and baggage, door-to-door time lands somewhere close to the daytime train, so flying mainly makes sense if your schedule genuinely needs the speed or you are connecting onward by air.

Chicago as a wider Midwest hub

Minneapolis is one of several destinations reachable from Chicago's Amtrak hub without needing to fly — the same station also serves Cleveland to the east and Milwaukee, Detroit and St Louis on other corridors, making Chicago Union Station a natural base for a wider rail-based Midwest trip.

What to expect once you arrive in the Twin Cities

St Paul's Union Depot puts you close to downtown St Paul, with a light-rail connection (the METRO Green Line) running directly to downtown Minneapolis in around 25–30 minutes, so arriving by train does not strand you on the wrong side of the Twin Cities. This makes the daytime Borealis in particular a genuinely car-free way to visit both halves of the metro area, without needing a rental car at either end.

Arriving at Union Depot, St Paul — what to expect

Union Depot is a handsome, restored 1920s station on the edge of downtown St Paul, considerably calmer than Chicago's busy Union Station. It has a small waiting hall, limited food options compared with Chicago, and connects directly to the METRO Green Line light rail for the ride into downtown Minneapolis. If you are being met by car, the pickup area outside is straightforward and rarely congested. Chicago Union Station, by contrast, is a major hub with far more foot traffic — allow extra time there to find your gate, especially during peak commuter hours in the late afternoon.

Comfort and luggage notes for the long-distance trains

Both the Borealis and the Empire Builder allow generous carry-on luggage, with overhead racks and larger storage areas near the doors of each coach, and a checked-baggage option is available at stations with baggage service, including Chicago and St Paul. Amtrak's long-distance coach seating has notably more legroom and recline than a plane or bus, with at-seat power outlets standard. On the Empire Builder, sleeper passengers get access to a dedicated lounge car and included meals, which is worth factoring into the cost comparison against a coach seat.

Bring your own snacks and a refillable water bottle even if planning to use the café car — selection can be limited later in a long journey, and prices onboard are higher than off-train options.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the Empire Builder always runs on time. As a long-distance train sharing freight-owned track further west, delays can occasionally build up even on the Chicago–Minneapolis segment if the train started its journey late elsewhere on a previous day's schedule; check real-time status before heading to the station.
• Booking the Borealis without checking it operates that day. As a newer state-supported service, schedules are more prone to periodic adjustment than the long-established Empire Builder — always confirm via Amtrak's site close to your travel date.
• Overlooking the light rail connection in St Paul. Travellers sometimes book an expensive taxi into Minneapolis without realising the METRO Green Line covers the same journey cheaply and directly from Union Depot.

Which should you choose?

For a relaxed, scenic trip, the Borealis is the best of the rail options — a full day's journey along the Mississippi with none of the overnight scheduling awkwardness. Choose the Empire Builder if a sleeper appeals or the timing suits better, the bus for the lowest fare and more departures, and driving or flying if time or flexibility matters most.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct train from Chicago to Minneapolis?

Yes, two of them: the daytime Borealis and the long-distance Empire Builder, each running once daily and taking around 7.5–8 hours.

What is the difference between the Borealis and the Empire Builder?

The Borealis is a dedicated daytime train between Chicago and the Twin Cities. The Empire Builder is a long-distance overnight train that continues on to Seattle and Portland, and it also offers sleeper accommodation, which the Borealis does not.

How scenic is this route?

Genuinely scenic — the train follows the Mississippi River valley through western Wisconsin and southern Minnesota, one of the better landscapes on Amtrak's Midwest network.

What is the cheapest way from Chicago to Minneapolis?

A long-distance coach is usually the cheapest, taking around 8–9 hours, often with a change en route.