Amtrak · Chicago, IL – Portland, OR
Empire Builder · Portland Cell Service & Coverage Map
Modeled coverage on board the Empire Builder · Portland, Chicago, IL to Portland, OR. On the train, AT&T has the most solid coverage at 77% of the route, ahead of Verizon (70%) and T-Mobile (63%). Amber stretches are spotty: signal often works but may drop. AT&T's longest true dead zone runs about 58 miles between Whitefish and Libby.
The whole line at a glance
Portland, OR on the left, Chicago, IL on the right. Scroll sideways on a phone. Hover a band for its mileposts. Verizon, on the train.
Carriers compared on the train
| Carrier | Coverage mix | Solid | Spotty | 5G | Dead-zone miles | Longest gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Best on board | 77% | 14% | 43% | 201 | 57.5 mi | |
| Verizon | 70% | 18% | 20% | 269 | 80.0 mi | |
| T-Mobile | 63% | 26% | 53% | 256 | 71.2 mi |
Coverage summary
Verizon · On the train (in-vehicle model)
of the route has solid Verizon service on the train, plus 18% spotty
has modeled 5G; 12% at the faster 35/3 Mbps tier
longest dead zone (no signal in either model), between Williston and Wolf Point
longest unbroken covered stretch, between St. Paul and St. Cloud
- 5G NR · 35/3 Mbps 12.2%
- 5G NR · 7/1 Mbps 8.3%
- 4G LTE 49.6%
- Spotty (outdoor-strength only) 17.9%
- No modeled coverage 12.0%
Plan downloads and calls around Williston–Wolf Point (81.4 mi without coverage), Whitefish–Libby (73.5 mi without coverage), Wolf Point–Glasgow (35.6 mi without coverage).
Verizon · Outdoor model
of the route has solid Verizon service outdoors
has modeled 5G; 46% at the faster 35/3 Mbps tier
longest dead zone (no signal in either model), between Williston and Wolf Point
longest unbroken covered stretch, between Winona and Red Wing
- 5G NR · 35/3 Mbps 45.5%
- 5G NR · 7/1 Mbps 7.6%
- 4G LTE 34.8%
- No modeled coverage 12.0%
Plan downloads and calls around Williston–Wolf Point (81.3 mi without coverage), Whitefish–Libby (73.5 mi without coverage), Wolf Point–Glasgow (35.6 mi without coverage).
AT&T · On the train (in-vehicle model)
of the route has solid AT&T service on the train, plus 14% spotty
has modeled 5G; 35% at the faster 35/3 Mbps tier
longest dead zone (no signal in either model), between Whitefish and Libby
longest unbroken covered stretch, between Rugby and Minot
- 5G NR · 35/3 Mbps 35.2%
- 5G NR · 7/1 Mbps 8.2%
- 4G LTE 33.6%
- Spotty (outdoor-strength only) 14.0%
- No modeled coverage 9.0%
Plan downloads and calls around Whitefish–Libby (68.3 mi without coverage), Essex–West Glacier (24.7 mi without coverage), Browning–Essex (21.8 mi without coverage).
AT&T · Outdoor model
of the route has solid AT&T service outdoors
has modeled 5G; 52% at the faster 35/3 Mbps tier
longest dead zone (no signal in either model), between Whitefish and Libby
longest unbroken covered stretch, between Rugby and Minot
- 5G NR · 35/3 Mbps 52.3%
- 5G NR · 7/1 Mbps 10.9%
- 4G LTE 27.9%
- No modeled coverage 8.9%
Plan downloads and calls around Whitefish–Libby (68.8 mi without coverage), Essex–West Glacier (24.8 mi without coverage), Browning–Essex (21.5 mi without coverage).
T-Mobile · On the train (in-vehicle model)
of the route has solid T-Mobile service on the train, plus 26% spotty
has modeled 5G; 36% at the faster 35/3 Mbps tier
longest dead zone (no signal in either model), between Whitefish and Libby
longest unbroken covered stretch, between St. Paul and St. Cloud
- 5G NR · 35/3 Mbps 36.2%
- 5G NR · 7/1 Mbps 16.6%
- 4G LTE 10.0%
- Spotty (outdoor-strength only) 25.9%
- No modeled coverage 11.4%
Plan downloads and calls around Whitefish–Libby (77.3 mi without coverage), Williston–Wolf Point (34.8 mi without coverage), Libby–Sandpoint (34.1 mi without coverage).
T-Mobile · Outdoor model
of the route has solid T-Mobile service outdoors
has modeled 5G; 74% at the faster 35/3 Mbps tier
longest dead zone (no signal in either model), between Whitefish and Libby
longest unbroken covered stretch, between St. Paul and St. Cloud
- 5G NR · 35/3 Mbps 74.2%
- 5G NR · 7/1 Mbps 8.9%
- 4G LTE 5.1%
- No modeled coverage 11.7%
Plan downloads and calls around Whitefish–Libby (77.5 mi without coverage), Williston–Wolf Point (35.4 mi without coverage), Libby–Sandpoint (34.3 mi without coverage).
Station to station
In timetable order from Chicago, IL. Distances are along the track. Follows the carrier and model selected on the map.
| Segment | Miles | Coverage mix | Solid | 5G | Longest gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Glenview | 18 | 100% | 56% | — | |
| Glenview → Milwaukee | 68 | 95% | 40% | — | |
| Milwaukee → Columbus | 64 | 78% | 32% | — | |
| Columbus → Portage | 28 | 66% | 28% | — | |
| Portage → Wisconsin Dells | 17 | 100% | 3% | — | |
| Wisconsin Dells → Tomah | 45 | 91% | 15% | — | |
| Tomah → La Crosse | 41 | 77% | 22% | — | |
| La Crosse → Winona | 27 | 36% | 8% | — | |
| Winona → Red Wing | 62 | 78% | 25% | — | |
| Red Wing → St. Paul | 40 | 79% | 33% | — | |
| St. Paul → St. Cloud | 74 | 100% | 62% | — | |
| St. Cloud → Staples | 65 | 82% | 30% | — | |
| Staples → Detroit Lakes | 62 | 93% | 27% | — | |
| Detroit Lakes → Fargo | 48 | 83% | 18% | 0.3 mi | |
| Fargo → Grand Forks | 75 | 96% | 41% | — | |
| Grand Forks → Devils Lake | 85 | 95% | 28% | — | |
| Devils Lake → Rugby | 57 | 98% | 27% | — | |
| Rugby → Minot | 61 | 88% | 28% | — | |
| Minot → Stanley | 53 | 95% | 32% | — | |
| Stanley → Williston | 66 | 94% | 20% | — | |
| Williston → Wolf Point | 106 | 22% | 3% | 44.7 mi | |
| Wolf Point → Glasgow | 49 | 13% | 2% | 35.3 mi | |
| Glasgow → Malta | 65 | 80% | 25% | — | |
| Malta → Havre | 87 | 87% | 11% | — | |
| Havre → Shelby | 104 | 83% | 17% | — | |
| Shelby → Cut Bank | 24 | 47% | 30% | 0.8 mi | |
| Cut Bank → Browning | 33 | 37% | 6% | — | |
| Browning → Essex | 43 | 20% | 2% | 19.4 mi | |
| Essex → West Glacier | 27 | 2% | 0% | 20.8 mi | |
| West Glacier → Whitefish | 23 | 96% | 25% | — | |
| Whitefish → Libby | 102 | 8% | 2% | 59.9 mi | |
| Libby → Sandpoint | 84 | 33% | 3% | 12.0 mi | |
| Sandpoint → Spokane | 66 | 93% | 21% | — | |
| Spokane → Pasco | 145 | 67% | 20% | 7.8 mi | |
| Pasco → Wishram | 125 | 58% | 7% | 5.6 mi | |
| Wishram → Bingen | 30 | 76% | 13% | 0.7 mi | |
| Bingen → Vancouver | 65 | 70% | 16% | — | |
| Vancouver → Portland | 10 | 100% | 51% | — |
| Segment | Miles | Coverage mix | Solid | 5G | Longest gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Glenview | 18 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Glenview → Milwaukee | 68 | 100% | 99% | — | |
| Milwaukee → Columbus | 64 | 100% | 89% | — | |
| Columbus → Portage | 28 | 100% | 70% | — | |
| Portage → Wisconsin Dells | 17 | 100% | 38% | — | |
| Wisconsin Dells → Tomah | 45 | 100% | 76% | — | |
| Tomah → La Crosse | 41 | 100% | 45% | — | |
| La Crosse → Winona | 27 | 100% | 60% | — | |
| Winona → Red Wing | 62 | 100% | 52% | — | |
| Red Wing → St. Paul | 40 | 100% | 91% | — | |
| St. Paul → St. Cloud | 74 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| St. Cloud → Staples | 65 | 100% | 55% | — | |
| Staples → Detroit Lakes | 62 | 100% | 77% | — | |
| Detroit Lakes → Fargo | 48 | 99% | 45% | 0.3 mi | |
| Fargo → Grand Forks | 75 | 100% | 91% | — | |
| Grand Forks → Devils Lake | 85 | 100% | 77% | — | |
| Devils Lake → Rugby | 57 | 100% | 93% | — | |
| Rugby → Minot | 61 | 100% | 85% | — | |
| Minot → Stanley | 53 | 100% | 56% | — | |
| Stanley → Williston | 66 | 100% | 26% | — | |
| Williston → Wolf Point | 106 | 23% | 7% | 44.7 mi | |
| Wolf Point → Glasgow | 49 | 28% | 10% | 35.3 mi | |
| Glasgow → Malta | 65 | 100% | 62% | — | |
| Malta → Havre | 87 | 100% | 35% | — | |
| Havre → Shelby | 104 | 100% | 46% | — | |
| Shelby → Cut Bank | 24 | 96% | 58% | 0.8 mi | |
| Cut Bank → Browning | 33 | 100% | 59% | — | |
| Browning → Essex | 43 | 54% | 14% | 19.4 mi | |
| Essex → West Glacier | 27 | 22% | 2% | 20.8 mi | |
| West Glacier → Whitefish | 23 | 100% | 90% | — | |
| Whitefish → Libby | 102 | 28% | 7% | 59.9 mi | |
| Libby → Sandpoint | 84 | 83% | 16% | 12.0 mi | |
| Sandpoint → Spokane | 66 | 100% | 71% | — | |
| Spokane → Pasco | 145 | 93% | 46% | 7.8 mi | |
| Pasco → Wishram | 125 | 91% | 31% | 5.6 mi | |
| Wishram → Bingen | 30 | 98% | 48% | 0.7 mi | |
| Bingen → Vancouver | 65 | 100% | 53% | — | |
| Vancouver → Portland | 10 | 100% | 100% | — |
| Segment | Miles | Coverage mix | Solid | 5G | Longest gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Glenview | 18 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Glenview → Milwaukee | 68 | 99% | 89% | — | |
| Milwaukee → Columbus | 64 | 95% | 75% | — | |
| Columbus → Portage | 28 | 49% | 23% | 1.5 mi | |
| Portage → Wisconsin Dells | 17 | 92% | 29% | — | |
| Wisconsin Dells → Tomah | 45 | 95% | 53% | — | |
| Tomah → La Crosse | 41 | 78% | 34% | — | |
| La Crosse → Winona | 27 | 51% | 4% | 2.4 mi | |
| Winona → Red Wing | 62 | 86% | 14% | — | |
| Red Wing → St. Paul | 40 | 92% | 53% | — | |
| St. Paul → St. Cloud | 74 | 99% | 96% | 0.4 mi | |
| St. Cloud → Staples | 65 | 88% | 73% | 0.8 mi | |
| Staples → Detroit Lakes | 62 | 93% | 35% | — | |
| Detroit Lakes → Fargo | 48 | 96% | 84% | — | |
| Fargo → Grand Forks | 75 | 100% | 92% | — | |
| Grand Forks → Devils Lake | 85 | 98% | 51% | 0.4 mi | |
| Devils Lake → Rugby | 57 | 97% | 6% | — | |
| Rugby → Minot | 61 | 100% | 72% | — | |
| Minot → Stanley | 53 | 95% | 77% | — | |
| Stanley → Williston | 66 | 98% | 82% | 0.3 mi | |
| Williston → Wolf Point | 106 | 87% | 12% | 0.6 mi | |
| Wolf Point → Glasgow | 49 | 95% | 8% | — | |
| Glasgow → Malta | 65 | 85% | 20% | 0.7 mi | |
| Malta → Havre | 87 | 56% | 0% | 15.5 mi | |
| Havre → Shelby | 104 | 59% | 9% | 2.1 mi | |
| Shelby → Cut Bank | 24 | 57% | 38% | 1.0 mi | |
| Cut Bank → Browning | 33 | 66% | 42% | 0.9 mi | |
| Browning → Essex | 43 | 18% | 7% | 15.5 mi | |
| Essex → West Glacier | 27 | 0% | 0% | 24.7 mi | |
| West Glacier → Whitefish | 23 | 83% | 72% | — | |
| Whitefish → Libby | 102 | 10% | 6% | 57.5 mi | |
| Libby → Sandpoint | 84 | 42% | 33% | 13.5 mi | |
| Sandpoint → Spokane | 66 | 96% | 78% | — | |
| Spokane → Pasco | 145 | 74% | 40% | 2.8 mi | |
| Pasco → Wishram | 125 | 60% | 34% | 10.3 mi | |
| Wishram → Bingen | 30 | 97% | 71% | — | |
| Bingen → Vancouver | 65 | 85% | 52% | 1.2 mi | |
| Vancouver → Portland | 10 | 100% | 100% | — |
| Segment | Miles | Coverage mix | Solid | 5G | Longest gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Glenview | 18 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Glenview → Milwaukee | 68 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Milwaukee → Columbus | 64 | 100% | 97% | — | |
| Columbus → Portage | 28 | 92% | 60% | 1.5 mi | |
| Portage → Wisconsin Dells | 17 | 100% | 68% | — | |
| Wisconsin Dells → Tomah | 45 | 100% | 86% | — | |
| Tomah → La Crosse | 41 | 100% | 55% | — | |
| La Crosse → Winona | 27 | 83% | 9% | 2.4 mi | |
| Winona → Red Wing | 62 | 100% | 19% | — | |
| Red Wing → St. Paul | 40 | 100% | 84% | — | |
| St. Paul → St. Cloud | 74 | 99% | 99% | 0.4 mi | |
| St. Cloud → Staples | 65 | 99% | 92% | 0.8 mi | |
| Staples → Detroit Lakes | 62 | 100% | 71% | — | |
| Detroit Lakes → Fargo | 48 | 100% | 99% | — | |
| Fargo → Grand Forks | 75 | 100% | 99% | — | |
| Grand Forks → Devils Lake | 85 | 100% | 83% | 0.3 mi | |
| Devils Lake → Rugby | 57 | 100% | 35% | — | |
| Rugby → Minot | 61 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Minot → Stanley | 53 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Stanley → Williston | 66 | 100% | 99% | — | |
| Williston → Wolf Point | 106 | 99% | 21% | 0.6 mi | |
| Wolf Point → Glasgow | 49 | 100% | 32% | — | |
| Glasgow → Malta | 65 | 99% | 35% | 0.7 mi | |
| Malta → Havre | 87 | 78% | 0% | 15.5 mi | |
| Havre → Shelby | 104 | 95% | 20% | 2.1 mi | |
| Shelby → Cut Bank | 24 | 89% | 75% | 2.0 mi | |
| Cut Bank → Browning | 33 | 97% | 87% | 0.9 mi | |
| Browning → Essex | 43 | 50% | 9% | 15.5 mi | |
| Essex → West Glacier | 27 | 7% | 7% | 24.8 mi | |
| West Glacier → Whitefish | 23 | 100% | 98% | — | |
| Whitefish → Libby | 102 | 32% | 20% | 68.8 mi | |
| Libby → Sandpoint | 84 | 78% | 56% | 13.5 mi | |
| Sandpoint → Spokane | 66 | 100% | 96% | — | |
| Spokane → Pasco | 145 | 92% | 72% | 2.8 mi | |
| Pasco → Wishram | 125 | 88% | 60% | 10.0 mi | |
| Wishram → Bingen | 30 | 100% | 91% | — | |
| Bingen → Vancouver | 65 | 97% | 90% | 1.2 mi | |
| Vancouver → Portland | 10 | 100% | 100% | — |
| Segment | Miles | Coverage mix | Solid | 5G | Longest gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Glenview | 18 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Glenview → Milwaukee | 68 | 91% | 82% | — | |
| Milwaukee → Columbus | 64 | 80% | 69% | 0.4 mi | |
| Columbus → Portage | 28 | 67% | 56% | 1.2 mi | |
| Portage → Wisconsin Dells | 17 | 46% | 25% | — | |
| Wisconsin Dells → Tomah | 45 | 84% | 62% | — | |
| Tomah → La Crosse | 41 | 68% | 66% | 0.6 mi | |
| La Crosse → Winona | 27 | 43% | 30% | — | |
| Winona → Red Wing | 62 | 71% | 50% | 0.7 mi | |
| Red Wing → St. Paul | 40 | 81% | 69% | — | |
| St. Paul → St. Cloud | 74 | 98% | 93% | — | |
| St. Cloud → Staples | 65 | 67% | 60% | 1.5 mi | |
| Staples → Detroit Lakes | 62 | 64% | 53% | — | |
| Detroit Lakes → Fargo | 48 | 55% | 54% | 1.9 mi | |
| Fargo → Grand Forks | 75 | 76% | 67% | — | |
| Grand Forks → Devils Lake | 85 | 60% | 45% | 1.9 mi | |
| Devils Lake → Rugby | 57 | 57% | 48% | 1.1 mi | |
| Rugby → Minot | 61 | 57% | 51% | — | |
| Minot → Stanley | 53 | 71% | 67% | 0.8 mi | |
| Stanley → Williston | 66 | 32% | 25% | 5.5 mi | |
| Williston → Wolf Point | 106 | 38% | 30% | 8.9 mi | |
| Wolf Point → Glasgow | 49 | 72% | 49% | — | |
| Glasgow → Malta | 65 | 61% | 44% | 2.2 mi | |
| Malta → Havre | 87 | 75% | 62% | 0.8 mi | |
| Havre → Shelby | 104 | 76% | 60% | 1.3 mi | |
| Shelby → Cut Bank | 24 | 54% | 37% | 1.5 mi | |
| Cut Bank → Browning | 33 | 70% | 63% | — | |
| Browning → Essex | 43 | 26% | 24% | 23.7 mi | |
| Essex → West Glacier | 27 | 0% | 0% | 24.1 mi | |
| West Glacier → Whitefish | 23 | 83% | 81% | — | |
| Whitefish → Libby | 102 | 7% | 7% | 71.2 mi | |
| Libby → Sandpoint | 84 | 23% | 20% | 13.1 mi | |
| Sandpoint → Spokane | 66 | 84% | 82% | — | |
| Spokane → Pasco | 145 | 76% | 73% | 4.7 mi | |
| Pasco → Wishram | 125 | 71% | 42% | 1.7 mi | |
| Wishram → Bingen | 30 | 99% | 83% | — | |
| Bingen → Vancouver | 65 | 51% | 43% | 2.2 mi | |
| Vancouver → Portland | 10 | 100% | 100% | — |
| Segment | Miles | Coverage mix | Solid | 5G | Longest gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago → Glenview | 18 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Glenview → Milwaukee | 68 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Milwaukee → Columbus | 64 | 98% | 96% | 1.2 mi | |
| Columbus → Portage | 28 | 93% | 72% | 1.9 mi | |
| Portage → Wisconsin Dells | 17 | 100% | 89% | — | |
| Wisconsin Dells → Tomah | 45 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Tomah → La Crosse | 41 | 98% | 78% | 0.6 mi | |
| La Crosse → Winona | 27 | 99% | 91% | 0.3 mi | |
| Winona → Red Wing | 62 | 99% | 97% | 0.7 mi | |
| Red Wing → St. Paul | 40 | 100% | 99% | — | |
| St. Paul → St. Cloud | 74 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| St. Cloud → Staples | 65 | 97% | 97% | 1.9 mi | |
| Staples → Detroit Lakes | 62 | 100% | 96% | — | |
| Detroit Lakes → Fargo | 48 | 91% | 90% | 1.9 mi | |
| Fargo → Grand Forks | 75 | 100% | 99% | — | |
| Grand Forks → Devils Lake | 85 | 96% | 90% | 2.0 mi | |
| Devils Lake → Rugby | 57 | 96% | 92% | 1.1 mi | |
| Rugby → Minot | 61 | 100% | 98% | — | |
| Minot → Stanley | 53 | 96% | 94% | 0.8 mi | |
| Stanley → Williston | 66 | 69% | 55% | 5.6 mi | |
| Williston → Wolf Point | 106 | 67% | 47% | 11.1 mi | |
| Wolf Point → Glasgow | 49 | 100% | 99% | — | |
| Glasgow → Malta | 65 | 96% | 90% | 2.3 mi | |
| Malta → Havre | 87 | 99% | 90% | 0.8 mi | |
| Havre → Shelby | 104 | 98% | 89% | 1.3 mi | |
| Shelby → Cut Bank | 24 | 93% | 86% | 1.6 mi | |
| Cut Bank → Browning | 33 | 100% | 98% | — | |
| Browning → Essex | 43 | 38% | 35% | 24.0 mi | |
| Essex → West Glacier | 27 | 10% | 5% | 24.1 mi | |
| West Glacier → Whitefish | 23 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Whitefish → Libby | 102 | 24% | 18% | 70.8 mi | |
| Libby → Sandpoint | 84 | 59% | 54% | 13.5 mi | |
| Sandpoint → Spokane | 66 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Spokane → Pasco | 145 | 93% | 89% | 4.7 mi | |
| Pasco → Wishram | 125 | 98% | 95% | 1.8 mi | |
| Wishram → Bingen | 30 | 100% | 100% | — | |
| Bingen → Vancouver | 65 | 91% | 80% | 1.5 mi | |
| Vancouver → Portland | 10 | 100% | 100% | — |
Empire Builder · Portland cell service FAQ
Does the Empire Builder · Portland have cell service?
For most of the trip, yes. Inside the train, solid coverage (the FCC's in-vehicle model) reaches 77% for AT&T, 70% for Verizon, 63% for T-Mobile of the 2,246-mile route from Chicago, IL to Portland, OR. Much of the rest is spotty rather than dead: AT&T has some signal on 91%, Verizon has some signal on 88%, T-Mobile has some signal on 89%.
Which carrier is best on the Empire Builder · Portland?
AT&T has the most modeled on-train coverage (77%), with 5G on 43% of the route. Verizon covers 70% and T-Mobile covers 63%.
Where is the longest dead zone on the Empire Builder · Portland?
AT&T: about 58 miles between Whitefish and Libby. Verizon: about 80 miles between Williston and Wolf Point. T-Mobile: about 71 miles between Whitefish and Libby.
Does Amtrak Wi-Fi work on the Empire Builder · Portland?
Amtrak Wi-Fi relies on cellular networks, so it generally weakens or drops in the same places your phone does. Expect it to be unreliable through the dead zones shown on this map.
How accurate is this coverage map?
It reflects carrier-reported modeled coverage published by the FCC (data as of Dec 31, 2025). It is not an onboard measurement. BarTrakr shows the FCC's in-vehicle model by default; the outdoor model is available with the Outdoor switch.
Can I use BarTrakr on the train without signal?
Yes. Tap “Save for offline” before you board. The route, coverage data and map background up to zoom 10 are stored on your device, and live tracking uses your phone's GPS, which works without cell service.
About this data
- Coverage: FCC Broadband Data Collection mobile coverage for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, release D25 (as of Dec 31, 2025, published Oct 13, 2026).
- Route: U.S. DOT / BTS National Transportation Atlas Database, Amtrak Routes. Stations and stop order: Amtrak GTFS.
- On the train: colored where the FCC in-vehicle model shows coverage; amber (spotty) where only the outdoor model does; red where neither does.
- Stretches shorter than a quarter mile are merged into their neighbors; at train speed they last only seconds.