Is It Cheaper To Drive Versus Take A Commuter Train? (2024)

Amtrak is America's national inter-city rail service; it serves 46 states and three Canadian provinces. Amtrak has both long-distance train offerings and commuter lines, not to menton bucket list-worthy trips across the country. The question for commuters is, on Amtrak's shorter routes, is it cheaper to take an Amtrak commuter train or to drive?

The answer is somewhat complicated, but it can be argued that commuting on the Amtrak train is either cheaper or just overall more beneficial. Here's what to know about how convenience, costs, and more add up between train trips and commuting in a car.

Amtrak Competes With Commuter Lines

Amtrak is primarily an inter-city service, but some lines can be used for commuting

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Amtrak arrives downtown at Union Station, San Diego, California

Amtrak can often be price competitive in areas where Amtrak offers similar services to city trains. For example, in the Los Angeles region, Amtrak's trains are more or less price-competitive with Metrolink, Los Angeles's dedicated commuter train network.

Where Amtrak overlaps with commuter trains, one benefit is that it can often offer increased services. For example, an onboard café and the option to upgrade to Business Class comes with Amtrak (along with a host of other benefits). You can also pick the best seats with the most scenic views to further enjoy the commute.

Driving Is Typically Cheaper Than Commuting On An Amtrak Train

Amtrak fares are typically much more than the cost of gas, but there are other costs to consider

Amtrak Southwest Chief passenger train railway in Los Cerrillos New Mexico, United States

The cons and pros of Amtrak over driving vary from place to place and from time to time. For example, cars get stuck in peak-hour traffic while trains do not. A train station within walking distance can save on parking fees, whereas parking downtown can be very expensive.

Benefits Of Commuting With Amtrak:

• More relaxing
• Potentially eliminating parking fees
• Bypassing peak hour traffic
• Potential to productively utilize time
• Environmentally friendly

The cost of an Amtrak ride from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Fe Depot in San Diego is approximately $36 for Coach Class and $55 for Business Class (round trip). By road, that is a distance of 120 miles.

A car can be expected to get around 25 miles per gallon and in June 2024, the cost of gasoline in California was $4.80. To drive the same route (and only for gasoline) it will cost around $23, meaning it is cheaper to drive. Even a car that only gets 15 MPG is about on par with the price of an Amtrak ticket at around $39 for gas.

• Monthly Parking: $65 to Over $300 in Los Angeles

But one of the hidden costs is parking (assuming commuters can get to the train station without parking their car). It costs anywhere from $0.50 to $6 per hour for metered street parking in Los Angeles and daily rates can reach as high as $40 to $60.

Cost LAX to Santa Fe Deport, San Diego:

• Amtrak: From $36 Coach Class
• Driving: Approx. $23 (gasoline only)

Heavy traffic on highway in Los Angeles

As a rule of thumb, if the roads are clear, then it is likely to be faster to drive than take the train (especially considering passengers need to transfer from their homes to the train station).

For example, from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Fe Depot by Amtrak's scenic Pacific Surfliner takes 2 hours and 54 minutes and to drive it takes about 1 hour and 52 minutes (assuming no traffic).

Time On Trains Is Less Stressful (And More Productive) Than Driving

It is easier to make time spent on trains more productive than driving

Skyline with Amtrak Midwest passenger train railway near Union Station in Chicago, United States.

Trains — especially Amtrak's comfortable long-distance designed trains — are typically more relaxing than driving. Those driving need to be awake and concentrate on driving. Drivers can't do anything other than drive, and listen to music or podcasts and take Bluetooth phone calls.

Productive Use Of Time On Trains:

• Napping
• Answering work calls
• Work/emails
• Reading

The time spent on trains can be productive. Passengers can have the option of catching a needed nap on the train. Sleep can be viewed as a productive use of time, with travelers arriving at work refreshed after getting up early in the morning being very beneficial.

Alternatively, passengers can work, take calls, and read on the train. Depending on their job, passengers on Amtrak trains can answer emails and catch up with the day's work before even getting to the office.

How useful or relevant this is, varies widely from person to person (and may not exist at all for many people). But it is possible for someone commuting from San Diego to Los Angeles to gain a couple of potentially productive hours a day by taking the train — and the cost can be similar once parking is accounted for.

Is it cheaper or easier for you to commute via train than by car? Tell us about your commute in the comments!