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Trip Summary
There are 6 daily trains from Rockford to Normal. Traveling by train from Rockford to Normal usually takes around 6 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 53 minutes.
| Distance | 122 mi (196 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 53m |
| Lowest price | €42.41 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Rockford to Normal?
In the last month, €43.82 was the average price of a train ticket from Rockford to Normal. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 12 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around €11.85 more than that for a same-day booking.
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Rockford to Normal?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Rockford to Normal. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 6h 32m | €49.21 |
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 6 Amtrak trains from Rockford to Normal every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €42.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Rockford and Normal is approximately 122 miles, or 196 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 31 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 53 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Rockford to Normal tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. 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 Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Rockford at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 14:00. 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Normal to Rockford.
City Information
Rockford
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is one of Illinois' best vacation destinations and the state's fourth-largest city. With its vast, green open spaces, golf courses, four rivers, and Rock Cut State Park, this city offers many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Rockford is often referred to as the City of Gardens, owing to its numerous beautifully-landscaped areas. The Anderson Japanese Gardens boasts the reputation of being one of the highest-quality Japanese gardens in North America, with picturesque water features and exotic plants; the perfect place for an afternoon stroll.
Head indoors to Rockford's museums on cooler days, including the Riverfront Museum Park and the Burpee Museum of Natural History. Finish the day with tickets for a show at the Coronado Performing Arts Centre and enjoy the atmospheric-style theatre and movie house's outstanding interior architecture.
Rockford is conveniently situated near three airports, Rockford International, Chicago O'Hare International, and Dane County Regional. Coach service runs from these airports and Union Station in Chicago to easily access the city. In addition, Amtrak Thruway coaches connect Rockford to Amtrak's rail network, with destinations via train including Detroit, St. Louis, and even New York.
Normal
Normal is a town in North Bloomington, adjacent to Bloomington. The town got its unique name in 1865 from the Illinois State Normal University, a normal school that is a teacher-training institution. Normal features the Children's Discovery Museum, Illinois State University Planetarium and Carden Park for children, and the David Davis Mansion and McLean County Museum of History for history buffs. If you're interested in exploring the outdoors, you can take a walk on the Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary or Constitution Trail or play on the Ironwood Golf Course. Sports lovers can also check out the Redbird Arena, where basketball games are held.
Normal features a vibrant entertainment scene with different breweries and beer halls. You can participate in the Illinois Shakespeare Festival or watch shows at the Normal Theater. Normal also has a vineyard and wine bars, with most activities available in Uptown Normal, the micro-urban city center. The Uptown area has different entertainment venues, dining, and retail establishments.
You can visit Normal, Illinois, by train or bus. The city is accessible from many other cities by train, including Amtrak, Amtrak Texas Eagle, and Amtrak Lincoln Service. As for the bus lines, you can access the city from over 80 other cities onboard buses from Jefferson Lines, Amtrak Thruway, and Burlington Trailways.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Rockford?
Main departure station: Van Galder Bus Office
The Van Galder Bus Office is located just off Interstate 51 in Rockford, Illinois. Although the bus stop doesn't have much in terms of amenities, it's in a resting area for road trips and buses. Grab coffee at the Starbucks, food at Burger King, or stay overnight in the Garden Inn just across the street. The terminal, which is operated by Van Galder Buses, services buses that run between Rockford and Madison, as well as Chicago O'Hare Airport and Union Station in downtown Chicago. Within the station building, there's a waiting room for you to enjoy your latte or burger, and a ticket kiosk if you have any questions about your trip.
All train stations in Rockford:
Van Galder Bus Office
Where is the train station in Normal?
Main arrival station: Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir
Normal has one train station.
Train stations in Normal:
Uptown Station - 11 Uptown Cir
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