5.0
Pros: My son and I were able to sit together. Very spacious. The crew was great. Overall clean! One of the train conductors was humorous with my 9 yr old son. Cons: Nothing. Tips: I highly recommend the Southwest Chief! Great overall!
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Trip Summary
3 trains operate daily from Galesburg to Mendota. The train trip from Galesburg to Mendota is usually about 2 hours and 20 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Southwest Chief train can get you there in as little as one hour and 11 minutes.
| Distance | 77 mi (124 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 11m |
| Lowest price | £8.05 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Carl Sandburg |
| Train lines | 4 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for trains from Galesburg to Mendota
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Which train should you take from Galesburg to Mendota?
There are 4 train lines with service from Galesburg to Mendota. There is only one daily train on each service.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 7h 33m | £55.52 |
| Amtrak Carl Sandburg | 1 | 1h 12m | £8.05 |
| Amtrak Illinois Zephyr | 1 | 1h 15m | £8.05 |
| Amtrak Southwest Chief | 1 | 1h 11m | £18.71 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Galesburg to Mendota every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £50.
The Amtrak Carl Sandburg, named after the Pulitzer-winning author, is a sister service to the Illinois Zephyr. Both operate daily services between Chicago and Quincy with additional stops in Naperville and Kewanee. Whether you buy a coach class or business class ticket, you'll have plenty of legroom and complimentary WiFi, plus access to refreshments at the onboard cafe.
The Illinois Zephyr is a passenger train operated by Amtrak, running between Quincy and Chicago. Taking the train from Galesburg to Mendota is a comfortable option, and tickets on this route cost on average. The Illinois Zephyr and its sister train, the Carl Sandburg, serve one of Amtrak's most popular lines. The train features amenities such as airline-style coach seating, a cafe on board, power outlets, restrooms, and Wi-Fi.
The Southwest Chief is a passenger train operated by America’s largest train service, Amtrak. The full route travels over 2,200 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, which takes over 43 hours. The train covers the stretch from Galesburg to Mendota in about 1 hours and 11 minutes. In addition to standard Coach Class seats, the Southwest Chief offers several sleeper cabin options on longer journeys. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief is consistently ranked as one of the most scenic train routes in America, thanks to the stunning views of the Painted Desert, the Red Cliffs of Sedona, and the Grand Canyon you’ll see from your train window.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Galesburg and Mendota is approximately 77 miles, or 124 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 20 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 11 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.
Trains departing from Galesburg to Mendota tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Galesburg at 07:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Mendota. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Mendota to Galesburg.
City Information
Galesburg
Galesburg is best known as the birthplace of writer and poet Carl Sandburg, with the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site erected in his honor. If you love the look of Carl’s boyhood cottage, you can stay in a historic home of your own – several, including the Great House of Galesburg, have been converted into charming bed-and-breakfasts across town.
Galesburg is also known for its historic involvement in the local railroad system, notably connecting Illinois’ largest (at the time) cities, Chicago and Quincy. In fact, the Galesburg Railroad Museum functions solely to preserve and share the history of the railroad industry in Galesburg and Western Illinois. The city even holds an annual festival, the Galesburg Railroad Days, complete with rides, live music, and open-air markets to celebrate the city’s railroad roots. And it’s not just literal railroads– Galesburg was originally founded by abolitionists and became a critical stop to freedom in the Underground Railroad.
Galesburg remains a major railway hub, acting as one of the stops for some of Amtrak’s most popular lines. The Carl Sandburg, Illinois Zephyr, and Southwest Chief all operate daily to connect Galesburg west to Chicago. Meanwhile, the California Zephyr reaches all the way to Los Angeles. Galesburg also has two main bus stations for Greyhound and Burlington Trailways. These carriers provide coverage to Denver, St. Louis, and Moline, which has the closest airport to Galesburg, Quad Cities Airport.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Galesburg?
Main departure station: 225 S Seminary St
There is one train station in Galesburg.
All train stations in Galesburg:
225 S Seminary St
Where is the train station in Mendota?
Main arrival station: 783 Main St
Mendota has one train station.
Train stations in Mendota:
783 Main St
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