Cheap train tickets from Rockford to St Louis
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 7 daily train trips available from Rockford to St Louis. Traveling by train from Rockford to St Louis usually takes 9 hours and 41 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 41 minutes.
| Distance | 258 mi (416 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 41m |
| Lowest price | $67.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Rockford to St Louis Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Rockford to St Louis?
There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Rockford to St Louis.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$94.97 | Avg. Price$86.54Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration9h 41mFaster | Duration13h 10m |

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Rockford to St Louis (Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from Rockford to St Louis:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Rockford to St Louis?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Rockford to St Louis was $92.44. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 11 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $17.71 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Rockford to St Louis by travel date
The cost of a one-way train trip from Rockford to St Louis is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $71 for your ticket.
Average train ticket prices from Rockford to St Louis by month
Ticket prices for the train from Rockford to St Louis often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $83. If you're thinking of traveling from Rockford to St Louis during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $103 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Rockford to St Louis on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time, you can save about $17.71 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Rockford to St Louis?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Rockford to St Louis. However, there are 7 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 7 | 9h 41m | $94.97 |
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 7 Amtrak trains from Rockford to St Louis every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $62.










Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Rockford to St Louis
There are 7 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 St Louis to Rockford. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Rockford to St Louis for $56.
Trains per day
7
Direct trains
0
The distance between Rockford and St Louis is approximately 258 miles, or 416 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 41 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 41 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.
Distance (mi)
258
Distance (km)
416
The earliest train departs Rockford at 4:20am while the last train of the day leaves at 2:50pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
4:20am
Last train
2:50pm
Trains from Rockford to St Louis are the most crowded on Friday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Rockford



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. Bus service runs from these airports and Union Station in Chicago to easily access the city. In addition, Amtrak Thruway buses connect Rockford to Amtrak's rail network, with destinations via train including Detroit, St. Louis, and even New York.
St Louis



St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
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 St Louis?
Main arrival station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.
All train stations in St Louis:
- Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Need a return trip from St Louis to Rockford?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Rockford
Continue by train from St Louis
Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.




