Amtrak train arriving at Fort Madison in September of 2023. Photo by the author.
This Thanksgiving weekend, I have been asked several times, “What is my favorite trip on Amtrak?”
It is amazing to me that younger people are asking this question. I have heard that Amtrak has seen an increase in ridership this year, due to the current political climate, and using Amtrak helps keep you away from the extra security that you find at airports. You do know that they use facial recognition at the TSA check-in, right?
Back to my main subject, what is my favorite Amtrak Long Distance trip?
I must admit that one of my favorite journeys, is the iconic Southwest Chief. Built by the Santa Fe Railroad in the late 1800’s, it was designed to bring the people from the East Coast to the Grand Canyon. It runs along most of old Route 66, and you visit some of the cities in the song by Bobby Troup.
“If you ever plan to motor West. Travel my way take the highway, that’s the best
Get your kicks on Route Sixty Six
It winds from Chicago to L.A
More than two thousand miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route Sixty Six
Now you go through Saint Looey
And Joplin, Missouri
And Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty
You’ll see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona
Don’t forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow
San Bernandino “
This was the route that caught my attention in my late 40’s, (each evening at Union Station, they would call all the stops the train made and I would hear it), and it started my love affair with train travel. The land is ever-changing, and interesting. Oh, and you can stop at Flagstaff, and still get a connection to the Grand Canyon. Win!
The Coast Starlight
I have done it several times, and I enjoy the journey from LA to San Francisco (actually Emeryville). As it rolls through the Central Valley of California, it gets a bit boring, but the times it is running along the coast, from San Luis Obispo to Ventura, is excellent, as is the Seattle section, that rides by Puget Sound.
The Empire Builder
I did this journey from Portland to Chicago, so I can only speak for that. You have the option to ride from Seattle, also. The train splits or connects in Spokane, Washington, for the long journey across the highest states in the US. It was incredible along the Columbia River, Glacier National Park is stunning, but the long miles in Montana and North Dakota, get a bit boring. I always hear that riding it from West to East gets you the best views of Glacier National Park, and summer gets you the most sunlight. Avoid winter if you can help it, since there are more times that the train must hold for hours, due to extreme weather situations.
The Sunset Limited
I have done this journey full-on twice, riding both from the West and from the East. You see quite an interesting amount of what makes Louisiana so special, as you run through the bayou. Texas, is Texas, and minus the cities, it is basically flat. New Mexico and Arizona are similar, though there are some of the interesting rock formations, that make the Southwest Chief so special. Oh, and you arrive in LA at about 3 in the morning. LOL
The California Zephyr
This journey is the diamond of the long-distance runs, especially from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado. It is extremely beautiful traveling along the Colorado River, for hours and hours. Not a bad view the entire way. You then sleep and when you wake-up, the train arrives in the Donner Pass area of the Sierra’s, that catch your attention for more hours of beautiful scenery. You end up in Emeryville, outside San Francisco (where my heart always lives). A truly stunning journey, and my only complaint is that the train has to go extremely slow, getting through those mountain areas, whereas it would take a half day less if we could get up to speed. A worthy trade off, for the beautiful views you experience.
So, which is it? What is my favorite Amtrak long distance journey?
Drum Roll please…
The Southwest Chief wins for interesting cities, history, and Bobby Troup. Fast train speeds also help, especially if you need to get to Chicago in a hurry. It is the most used route, by my family.
The California Zephyr is great for a vacation journey, and expect a lot of people to crowd your train (especially in the Denver to Grand Junction section).
The Coast Starlight is wonderful, and I highly recommend it for a first journey. If only going to San Francisco, you do not have to sleep on the train, so the price is less than the others.
The Empire Builder has the hardest time keeping close to an on-time rate, and equipment fails the most on that run. Definitely try not to book during the winter.
The Sunset Limited only runs 3 days a week, and that definitely makes it difficult to book. Along with some of the flat land you cross, it is my least favorite, yet I love it anyway.
I suggest you read other articles under Safe Travel https://traintravelhelp.com/category/safe-travel/ to learn more of my tips for riding Amtrak.
