Train Touring on Route 1
The Great Lake to Lake Trail Route 1(GLTL Trail), like many trails, lies upon the legacy of the railway. Route 1 is unique in that the train is still a functional connection to the trail and can be used to reach places like the Henry Ford Museum, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Detroit and Chicago. Amtrak stations are located within a few blocks of Route 1 in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Jackson, Pontiac, and Port Huron. They are ideal trip planning centers acting as ride-share hubs and usually near lodging. Review the Hotel Touring​ page for more information on hotels near Route 1 or use your favorite search engine. For a little background, download the booklet on Michigan's railroad history.
How To Use the Map:
The GLTL Trail is shown in red. Zoom in or out with the buttons in the lower right corner of the map. Click and drag to move the map. Float over the train icons to see a summary of each location. Click on the icons to see details including website links if available. Click on "View Full Version" to see the map at Ride With GPS. If you have the Ride With GPS App, click on "Send to Device" to use the map on your mobile device so you can see your current position.
In Michigan, Amtrak's Blue Water, Pere Marquette, and Wolverine speed passengers across the state connecting communities to Detroit, Chicago and points beyond. As illustrated in the map above, it's possible to bike, hike, walk & run along portions or the entire GLTL Trail and use the train as a 200 ton support vehicle to enhance your adventure. Trains make it possible to visit The Henry Ford Museum, Detroit, and historic sites like those used by the Underground Railroad.
The Blue Water is a 319 mile east/west higher-speed passenger train service operated by Amtrak and connects Chicago to New Buffalo, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Lansing and Port Huron allowing one to enjoy both Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The Blue Water and Wolverine Trains have common stations from Battle Creek west to Chicago.
The Wolverine is a 304 mile east/west higher-speed passenger train service operated by Amtrak and connects Chicago, Detroit and Pontiac to the Henry Ford Museum, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Albion, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo on Route 1. The Blue Water and Wolverine Trains have common stations from Battle Creek west to Chicago. Please visit Amtrak's website for details.
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The Pere Marquette is a 176 mile north/south higher-speed passenger train service operated by Amtrak and connects Chicago, St. Joseph, Bangor, Holland and Grand Rapids. Bangor Station is close to South Haven. Chicago is the only common station between The Pere Marquette, The Blue Water and The Wolverine.
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Currently, the Blue Water, Wolverine and Pere Marquette offer bicycle service. This service is limited and varies from train to train. Please check with Amtrak to answer any questions and get up to date details.
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Note: Train schedules are constantly changing. Please check with Amtrak for current schedules.
Using the directions:
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Arrive at the intersection of the GLTL Trail and it's approximate mile-point and street indicated.
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Either use the provided route map to the station or enter the address into your favorite mapping app.
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Leave the GLTL Trail and follow the directions given by your mapping app.
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Return to the GLTL Trail reversing the route map or use your mapping app.
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Finding current Amtrak schedules and station information:
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Click the link for the station below or click the icon in the map for each station and then click the link in the description.
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Click the 'Book Now' button on page.
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Enter your destination and dates for this station.
south Haven
Bangor Amtrak Station - Pere Marquette Line. Located 7 miles from Route 1. Service only between Chicago and Grand Rapids, MI.
Route 1 near mile 9.6, at CR 681 turn south to 541 Railroad Street, Bangor, MI 49013
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Amtrak Station - Blue Water Line and Wolverine Line. Located on Route 1.
Route 1 near mile 40.9 on N Burdick St. turn west into station 459 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
see map above
Battle Creek
Battle Creek Amtrak Station - Wolverine Line and Blue Water Line. Located ​4 blocks from Route 1.
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Route 1 near mile 65.8, at Capital Ave SE turn south to 119 McCamly St S, Battle Creek, MI 49017
see map above
Albion
Albion Amtrak Station - Wolverine Line. Located on Route 1.
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Route 1 near mile 95.1, on N Eaton St. turn north into station 300 North Eaton Street, Albion, MI 49224
see map above
Jackson
Jackson Amtrak Station - Wolverine Line. Located 2 blocks from Route 1.
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Route 1 near mile 120.3, at Washington St. turn north to 501 E Michigan Ave, Jackson, MI 49201
see map above
ann arbor
Ann Arbor Amtrak Station - Wolverine Line. Located 16 miles from Route 1 and 22 miles from the Pinckney trailhead.
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Route 1 near mile 154, at Pearl St. turn south to 325 Depot St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Dearborn
Dearborn Amtrak Station - Wolverine Line. Located 21.5 miles from Route 1 at the Henry Ford Museum.
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Route 1 near mile 189.3, at the M-5 Trail turn south to 21201 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48124
Detroit
Detroit Amtrak Station - Wolverine Line. Located 3 stops from the GLTL Trail in Jackson or Pontiac. One stop from the Dearborn station.
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11 West Baltimore Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
see map above
Pontiac
Pontiac Amtrak Station - Wolverine Line. Located 3 blocks from Route 1.
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Route 1 near mile 199.8, at Bagley St turn north to 51000 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342
see map above
Port Huron
Port Huron Amtrak Station - Blue Water Line. Located 0.9 miles from Route 1 .
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Route 1 near mile 262.8, at Beard St turn west to 2223 16th Street, Port Huron, MI 48060