So I just learnt about this service and it seems pretty cool if its like the pictures shown lol. We do road trips almost every year out of Florida to either Texas, Chicago or Canada and wanted to hit Maine this summer and the states that come before that. Soon after Maine want to head to Quebec City and then come back down via Toronto and WV side.
I figured this Auto Train would take out much off the usual drive that we have done many times out of Florida all the way till DC. Seems like a direct trip From Sanford (right above Orlando) and reaching Lorton, VA.
Its something new and could be a gamble as in a hit or a miss. The price is coming up to $2400 for a family of 4 (choosing the 2 bedroom option) and yes while its pricey, I am more interested cause of the entire experience while it saves about 13 hour drive time, overnight hotel stay which I would need anyway by Florence, SC.
Anyone here ever tried this out?
Btw, a great option for future for some in Florida who leases or buys a car from out of state. Just fly out one way if your buying from a nearby state in DC and load your car up for $250 which is enclosed by the way and take a coach seat for $39 or first class for $239 or $339.
My late Grandfather was a NY/FL snowbird (Grandma stayed in NY those 6 months, Catholic Divorce). He used to drive to NVA and take the auto train down every fall and back up in the spring, for at least 10 years, until he moved to FL full-time. He claimed it was the only way to make that trip.
My late Uncle, his son, also a NY/FL snow bird used to make the drive in either direction only stopping for gas, I don’t think he ever took the auto train.
No recent reports but not much has changed on Amtrak for decades.
So I did this in 2021 in my old GX460 and it was cheap then. Round trip under $1200 for a roomette. You have to show up like 2pm for a 4pm departure. Train took 19h to get to Sanford and another hour to dig out the car. I cannot justify it today. Oneway going south is always more expensive from my recent research. I looked at coming back on the AutoTrain from Sanford and that is cheaper if you want to that route, plus you get to stop at Bucees in Florence SC.
