Running all the way from Washington, DC to Boston, MA, the Acela Express is one of Amtrak’s most important routes. As one of the fastest routes in the United States, Acela is a great way to access the east coast’s most popular destinations without a car. Here are answers to common questions about the Acela Express.

Where Does the Acela Express Stop?

Acela Express stops at the following stations from North to South:

South Station, MA
Back Bay, MA
Westwood/Route 128, MA
Providence, RI
New London, CT
New Haven/Union Station, CT
Stamford, CT
New Rochelle, NY
New York City/Penn Station, NY
Newark/Newark Penn, NJ
Iselin/Metropark, NJ
Philadelphia/30th Street Station, PA
Wilmington, DE
Baltimore/Penn Station, MD
Baltimore/BWI Airport, MD
Washington DC/Washington Union Station

How Long is the Acela Express Route?

The Northeast Corridor that the Acela Express runs on is 457 miles long (735 km).

How Long Does the Acela Express Take?

The whole route takes around 6 hours and 46 minutes, but can take as long as nearly 7 hours depending on conditions.

Common trip times:
New York City/Penn Station to Boston/South Station: 3 hours and 42 minutes
New York City/Penn Station to Washington, DC: 2 hours and 55 minutes
Boston/South Station to Washington, DC: 6 hours and 46 minutes

What’s the Top Speed?

Acela Express is the fastest Amtrak service, and in some sections of the Northeast corridor can reach a maximum speed of 150 mph (240 km/h). This makes the Acela Express the fastest train in the Americas. This speed is expected to increase to 160 mph with the introduction of the new Acela II trains, and there may be more speed increases as the Northeast Corridor infrastructure is improved in the coming years.

How Many Acela Express Trains Run per Day?

Current service frequency has Amtrak running 20 trains per day, but it is expected to increase when the new Acela II trains fully enter service.

What Kind of Food is Onboard the Acela Express?

Because this is an express service, there isn’t a dining car but you can buy food in the cafe car. Items include sandwiches, salad, snacks like hummus or chips, candy, coffee, soft drinks, as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. See the full menu here.

Is there WiFi Onboard the Acela Express?

Yes, free WiFi is provided, but in our experience, it is usually not strong enough to depend on for the full route.

How much is the Acela Express?

Like an airline, Acela Express ticket prices can vary depending on demand, destination, and class of ticket you buy. Visit Amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL to book your trip.

Is First Class on the Acela Express Worth It?

Acela is the only Amtrak service that has first class accommodations. First class is more expensive, but you get some perks, like priority boarding, access to exclusive lounges at some stations, and complimentary onboard food/beverage service.

The seats appear to have a bit more space, there are fewer seats overall, and some seats don’t have a second seat nextdoor–perfect if you’re traveling by yourself and don’t want to sit next to a stranger.

The complimentary food served to first class passengers includes a few selections for breakfast (typically egg dishes or a fruit plate) and lunch (typically a cheese/fruit plate, a meat entree, or salad), along with complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, coffee, and soft drinks. See the full menu here. It seems like if you’re charging your employer or writing the trip off on your taxes, and especially if you’re going to need meals anyway, first class on the Acela Express might be worth the extra money.