As someone who was raised on Amtrak and has taken dozens of their cross-country trips over the past 20+ years, I’m a big advocate of train travel. Aside from amazing scenery, you get to detox from your usual hustle-and-bustle life; in fact, you have no choice: the WiFi is often spotty at best. Once you decide to take a train trip, you definitely have some R&R to look forward to. Consequently, your biggest issue will be answering one question – which route should you take?
It all comes down to what types of landscapes you want to see. Do you prefer the vast rolling low country of the Gulf? The California coast? The Rockies further north? The rivers and lakes of Middle America? Or the dramatic greenery of the Pacific Northwest? The options are endless – and you can always do a partial journey instead of a full one or train-hop from one route to another.
It’s also recommended to take trips a few times a year during different seasons – the Colorado River looks a lot different with glistening snow surrounding it versus colorful spring flowers or fall foliage. Moreover, no matter what time of year you take an Amtrak trip, as you take in the scenery from your seat or the observation car – complete with floor-to-ceiling windows ideal for sightseeing – you’ll quickly see how the journey truly is the destination.
California Zephyr
Start – Chicago; End – Emeryville (San Francisco)
For a true cross-country train ride experience that goes right through the middle of America – from Chicago to San Francisco (via a bus from Emeryville) – the California Zephyr is the one. For almost 2,500 miles and a bit more than 51 hours, you’ll have a first-row seat to some of the nation’s best scenery. As farmlands transform into mountains before your very eyes, you’ll go through the Rockies, Glenwood Canyon, and Moffat Tunnel as the train winds through the Continental Divide.
The postcard-perfect views will continue as the route soars through the High Sierra. Near the historic Donner Pass, the train reaches its highest point, approximately 7000ft above sea level, where you may see Donner Lake below, a beautiful freshwater lake within the California state line. You may also spot various wildlife, like bald eagles flying overhead as the train continues toward the Pacific.
Southwest Chief
Start – Chicago; End – Los Angeles
Now’s your time to see the American West up-close-and-personal as you ride through it on the Southwest Chief. Unlike the fairly horizontal route of the California Zephyr, the Southwest Chief sweeps diagonally across the plains, rivers, mountains, and deserts. Be sure to keep an eye on the scenery as it transitions from Midwestern prairies to snow-capped Colorado mountains, to sun-baked pueblos, finally leading you to the Sedona Red Cliffs.
Texas Eagle
Start – Chicago; End – Los Angeles
If you cannot get enough of the train and want to take a longer route from Chicago to Los Angeles, the Texas Eagle fits the bill. Although 65 hours may sound long, with all the scenery competing for your attention, time will fly by, and before you know it, you’ll arrive at your final destination. Along the way, you will see various types of topography, from the raging waters of the Mississippi River to the mountainous Ozarks. In addition to experiencing sprawling southern landscapes, try to spot the historical towns and tiny train depots that hint at how the west was won by rail.
Coast Starlight
Start – Seattle; End – Los Angeles
If you want to follow the length of the US west coast, the Coast Starlight provides sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean for almost 350 miles of California coastline as you head south to Los Angeles – or north to Seattle. In addition to watching waves of crystal-blue water, you can take in the lush forests and snowy peaks of the Pacific Northwest. Just past the California border, the train curves around the base of Mount Shasta, offering panoramic views of this southernmost stratovolcano of the Cascades Range.
As the landscape changes remarkably, you’ll leave verdant, foggy NorCal behind for the golden hues of California’s farmland, wine country, and eventually Southern California’s dusky, scrub-dotted hills. The southern terminus is at Los Angeles’ magnificent Arts and Crafts train station, which features dark wood and generous leather club chairs, allowing easy transfers to local transit including LAX.
Amtrak Cascades
Start – Eugene; End – Vancouver, BC
Whether you take the Amtrak Cascades train route as an extension of your trip up the West Coast from LA on the Coast Starlight or just take the former on its own, one thing is for sure: nothing embodies the essence of the Pacific Northwest more than this voyage. This 10-hour, 25-minute journey from Eugene to Vancouver, British Columbia, offers picturesque views featuring everything from waterfalls to the imposing peaks of Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood. Don’t forget to appreciate the stunning Columbia River Gorge and Puget Sound too.
Empire Builder
Start – Chicago; End – Portland/Seattle
For a quintessential trip through the northern part of the United States – especially for fans of Lewis and Clark who want to retrace their steps – the Empire Builder is your train. Starting in Chicago, you’ll head north through Wisconsin and Minnesota before crossing multiple states until reaching Portland or Seattle.
Experience the vast, yet striking, prairies of North Dakota to charming mountain towns. Don’t overlook renowned sights like the mighty Mississippi, Montana’s Big Sky country, and Glacier National Park – there’s even a train stop in East Glacier. In Spokane, the train will split routes to either Portland or Seattle. A hint: if you take the Portland route, you’ll see the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge that you won’t soon forget.
Sunset Limited
Start – New Orleans; End – Los Angeles
The Sunset Limited travels from New Orleans to Los Angeles and is Amtrak’s southernmost route. If you love breathtaking bayous, deserts, and mountainous landscapes, you’re in for a treat on this ride. Other highlights include crossing the Rio Grande and observing more cacti than you can count. Naturally, it’s not called the Sunset Limited for nothing – you can catch stunning shades of yellow, orange, and pink blending together into unforgettable sunsets.
Pacific Surfliner
Start – San Luis Obispo; End – San Diego
The Pacific Surfliner operates between San Luis Obispo – filled with small-town charm and views of wine country – and San Diego, or vice-versa. Since it’s a coastal train route, you’ll experience plenty of surf, as well as surfers; the train even accommodates racks for bikes and surfboards. At just under six hours, this is the perfect route for those new to long-distance train travel who wish to start small before committing to a full cross-country journey. Additionally, it makes for a lovely weekend getaway if you live in or near one of the many cities along the way, such as Los Angeles, Solvang, or Santa Barbara.
Lake Shore Limited
Start – New York/Boston; End – Chicago
You don’t need to head to the coasts to enjoy a beautiful journey along glistening shorelines. The Lake Shore Limited hugs the edges of the Great Lakes and other prominent bodies of water, including the Mohawk River, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and the Finger Lakes region of New York. The aquatic scenery enhances the serene journey. When you add a colorful sunset into the mix, the landscape becomes even more captivating as you travel between the first and second cities along what was once the frontier.
Adirondack
Start – New York, NY; End – Montreal, QC
What better way to visit Montreal than hopping on the train in New York and heading north to Canada? This 10-hour journey offers a perfect escape from big-city life while passing through tranquil areas such as the Hudson Valley, Saratoga Springs, and the Adirondack Mountains. This trip is lovely year-round, but especially breathtaking during the fall foliage. You’ll ride by enchanting bodies of water like Lake Champlain and Lake George. If you take the route from Montreal to New York instead, there are numerous train connections available once you arrive, including routes to Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and beyond.
Capitol Limited
Start – Washington, D.C.; End – Chicago
Whether you start your journey in the Midwest or from the East Coast, this 18-hour train ride will take you through key scenic places, including the Potomac Valley, Harpers Ferry, and the Allegheny Mountains. You might capture a stunning sunset along the way, too. Regardless of which city you originate from, you have the opportunity to continue your trip in one of the vibrant cities the train ends in. Plus, if you wish to continue your adventure, you can bring your bike along, as the Capitol Limited allows for bike storage.
