The City of Industry, California, is a bustling hub of commerce and manufacturing in the San Gabriel Valley. While it’s a vital economic center, residents and business travelers looking to utilize Amtrak’s extensive rail network often wonder: “Where’s the nearest Amtrak station?”
The short answer is: The City of Industry itself does not have an Amtrak train station directly within its city limits. However, you’re in luck! Several convenient Amtrak stations and connecting points are just a short drive away, offering access to the Pacific Surfliner, long-distance routes, and Amtrak Thruway bus services.
This guide will break down your best options, including distances to key cities and airports, to help you plan your next train journey from the Industry area.
Your Primary Amtrak Access Points Near Industry, CA
When traveling by Amtrak from the Industry area, you’ll generally be looking at three main types of access:
- Major Amtrak Train Stations: Offering direct rail services like the Pacific Surfliner and long-distance trains.
- Amtrak Thruway Bus Stops: These aren’t train stations themselves but are crucial for connecting to train services or reaching destinations not directly on a rail line (including some airports).
- Metrolink Connections: Industry has a Metrolink station (on the Orange County Line). While not Amtrak, Metrolink can be a strategic way to connect to major Amtrak hubs like Los Angeles Union Station.
Let’s dive into the specifics:
1. Los Angeles – Union Station (LAX)
- Distance from Industry, CA: Approximately 20-25 miles
- Travel Time from Industry (by car): 30-60 minutes, highly dependent on traffic (expect longer during peak hours).
Why it’s important: Union Station is the grand dame of Southern California rail travel and the busiest transportation hub in the Western U.S. From here, you can access virtually all Amtrak long-distance routes serving the West Coast.
Amtrak Services Available:
- Pacific Surfliner: North to Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo, South to San Diego.
- Coast Starlight: North to San Francisco Bay Area, Portland, and Seattle.
- Southwest Chief: East to Albuquerque, Kansas City, and Chicago.
- Sunset Limited: East to Tucson, San Antonio, Houston, and New Orleans.
- San Joaquin: (Requires Thruway bus connection to Bakersfield, then train service to Oakland/Sacramento).
- Extensive Amtrak Thruway Bus services: Connecting to various cities and airports not directly served by train.
Distances to Key Cities/Airports (from Industry, via LA Union Station):
- San Diego (SAN): ~140 miles (by train)
- Santa Barbara (SBA): ~100 miles (by train)
- Anaheim (ANA): ~25 miles (by train)
- LAX (Los Angeles International Airport): ~18 miles from Union Station (via FlyAway bus or taxi/rideshare). Total trip from Industry: ~35-45 miles.
- SNA (John Wayne Airport, Orange County): ~35 miles from Union Station (via Amtrak Thruway Bus or Metrolink/OCTA bus, then train to Santa Ana or Anaheim). Total trip from Industry: ~50-60 miles.
- ONT (Ontario International Airport): ~35 miles from Union Station (via Metrolink and local transit/rideshare). Total trip from Industry: ~55-60 miles.
Getting to Union Station from Industry:
- Drive & Park: Parking is available at Union Station (paid).
- Rideshare/Taxi: Convenient but can be expensive.
- Metrolink: Take the Metrolink Orange County Line from Industry Station directly to LA Union Station. This is often the most stress-free option to avoid driving in downtown traffic.
2. Fullerton Transportation Center (FUL)
- Distance from Industry, CA: Approximately 20-25 miles
- Travel Time from Industry (by car): 30-50 minutes, highly dependent on traffic.
Why it’s important: Fullerton is a major transportation hub in Orange County, offering a more direct route for southbound Pacific Surfliner travel without going through downtown Los Angeles. It’s also a stop for some long-distance trains.
Amtrak Services Available:
- Pacific Surfliner: North to LA/Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo, South to San Diego.
- Southwest Chief: (Some westbound trains stop here – check schedule).
- Sunset Limited: (Some westbound trains stop here – check schedule).
- Amtrak Thruway Bus services: Connecting to various Orange County locations and airports.
Distances to Key Cities/Airports (from Industry, via Fullerton Station):
- San Diego (SAN): ~90 miles (by train)
- Anaheim (ANA): ~5 miles (by train)
- LAX (Los Angeles International Airport): ~30 miles from Fullerton Station (via Amtrak Thruway Bus or Metrolink/FlyAway from LA Union Station). Total trip from Industry: ~50-55 miles.
- SNA (John Wayne Airport, Orange County): ~15 miles from Fullerton Station (via OCTA bus, taxi, or rideshare). Total trip from Industry: ~35-40 miles.
- ONT (Ontario International Airport): ~25 miles from Fullerton Station (via Metrolink and local transit/rideshare, or Amtrak Thruway bus). Total trip from Industry: ~45-50 miles.
Getting to Fullerton from Industry:
- Drive & Park: Parking available (paid).
- Rideshare/Taxi: Another viable option.
- Metrolink: No direct Metrolink line from Industry to Fullerton. You would need to take the Orange County Line to LA Union Station, then transfer to an Orange County Line or 91/Perris Valley Line train going south to Fullerton, which might be circuitous. Driving is often more direct.
3. Pomona – North (POC) / Pomona – Downtown (POS)
- Distance from Industry, CA: Approximately 10-12 miles
- Travel Time from Industry (by car): 15-30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Why it’s important: These are Metrolink stations that also serve as Amtrak Thruway Bus stops. While you won’t catch an Amtrak train here, these are excellent, close-to-Industry points to connect to Amtrak’s bus network, which in turn links to major train stations or destinations.
Amtrak Services Available:
- Amtrak Thruway Bus services: Connecting to Los Angeles Union Station, Bakersfield (for San Joaquin trains), and other regional points.
Distances to Key Cities/Airports (from Industry, via Pomona Thruway stop):
- These stops primarily serve as connection points to LA Union Station for train travel, so the distances to cities like San Diego or Santa Barbara will be similar to those listed for LA Union Station, plus the bus transfer time.
- ONT (Ontario International Airport): ~10 miles from Pomona (via taxi/rideshare/local bus). This is your closest option for getting to ONT airport, potentially connecting to an Amtrak Thruway bus from ONT or simply ending your ground transportation journey there.
Getting to Pomona from Industry:
- Drive & Park: Parking available.
- Rideshare/Taxi: Quickest option for short distance.
- Metrolink: Not directly efficient for Amtrak connections from Industry, as you’d still need a bus.
4. El Monte Station (ELM)
- Distance from Industry, CA: Approximately 8-10 miles
- Travel Time from Industry (by car): 15-25 minutes, depending on traffic.
Why it’s important: Similar to Pomona, El Monte is a major Metrolink and transit hub that also serves as an Amtrak Thruway Bus stop. It’s very close to Industry and offers another convenient connection point.
Amtrak Services Available:
- Amtrak Thruway Bus services: Connecting to Los Angeles Union Station and other regional points.
Getting to El Monte from Industry:
- Drive & Park: Parking available.
- Rideshare/Taxi: Quick and easy.
- Local Bus connections: Potentially more direct than Metrolink for this specific route.
Choosing the Right Station for Your Trip
- For Long-Distance Journeys (e.g., to Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans) or Travel to Santa Barbara/San Diego directly by train: Los Angeles Union Station is your best bet due to the widest range of train services.
- For Travel South to Orange County or San Diego (Pacific Surfliner): Fullerton Transportation Center might be more convenient if you want to avoid downtown LA.
- For the Absolute Closest Connection to Amtrak’s Network (via bus): Pomona or El Monte stations are ideal for catching an Amtrak Thruway bus to LA Union Station or other regional destinations.
- For Ontario International Airport (ONT): The Pomona stations are geographically closest for a direct drive, or you can use an Amtrak Thruway bus connection if available for your specific itinerary.
Tips for Amtrak Travelers from Industry, CA
- Always Check Amtrak.com: Train schedules, Thruway bus routes, and station information can change. Always verify details on the official Amtrak website (Amtrak.com) for your specific travel dates.
- Book in Advance: Especially for popular routes like the Pacific Surfliner or long-distance trains, booking early can secure better fares and your preferred seating.
- Factor in Commute Time: Always give yourself ample time to get to your chosen Amtrak station from Industry, especially considering Southern California’s unpredictable traffic.
- Consider Metrolink to Union Station: If driving to downtown LA is unappealing, taking Metrolink from Industry directly to LA Union Station is often the most relaxed way to start your rail journey.
- Parking: Investigate parking availability and costs at your chosen station. Union Station, Fullerton, Pomona, and El Monte all have parking options, but fees and availability vary.
While Industry, CA, may not have its own Amtrak station, a little planning opens up a world of rail travel possibilities. Whether you’re commuting to San Diego, escaping to the Central Coast, or embarking on a cross-country adventure, the convenience of nearby stations ensures your journey starts smoothly. Happy travels!
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