7 Longest Amtrak Routes For Slow Travel This Summer

Amtrak provides rail service to different parts of the United States, and it also has several trains that travel overnight, sometimes multiple nights, to various destinations. Most long-distance travel Amtrak trains are designed with lounge cars and sleepers that allow enough space for a long journey and let travelers take in the beauty of the scenic Amtrak sleeper routes. Here are the seven longest train journeys you can travel on an Amtrak train.

For riders wanting to explore long routes, this article provides information on long train routes and corresponding attractions.

1 Texas Eagle

Average journey time: 65 hours

Amtrak Texas Eagle is the longest rail journey in the United States. It’s a scenic sleeper train route in the U.S. and allows travelers to connect between major states and cities. Passengers on this trail are offered plenty of fantastic experiences and views.

The train connects Chicago and San Antonio, and three times a week, it extends to Los Angeles. It’s a comfortable ride connecting cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Dallas. Visitors can also see small communities along the way. Riders are often eager to see the stretch through the Ozarks and are wowed by the fantastic mountain ranges.

For travelers looking to explore this route mainly for views, the diverse landscapes of rolling hills, bustling cities, and pristine rivers will sweep them off their feet.

2 California Zephyr

Average journey time: 52 hours

California Zephyr is one of the top Amtrak long-distance trains. It takes about 3 days and 2 nights to complete the trip through various states. The train makes the journey three times a week, allowing passengers to choose the most convenient option for their trip.

Passengers can ride in a coach seat or private sleeper accommodation. Either way, you’ll still enjoy the changing terrain via the train’s large windows. Passengers are entertained by phenomenal views of two mountain ranges, a cliff along the Colorado River, and over 30 tunnels.

3 Sunset Limited

Average journey time: 48 hours

The Sunset Limited is one of the oldest train routes still operating today. It started its services in 1894, offering rides between New Orleans and Los Angeles. However, when it started, the departure point was Orlando through Jacksonville.

The train makes several stops for about 10 to 15 minutes, allowing visitors to stretch their legs. However, it makes longer stops in some places, like Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, and Tucson, so passengers can explore these cities.

Traveling on this Amtrak often leaves passengers spellbound by the many attractive places to see. The journey takes them through the best of the United States, allowing them to explore national parks and thriving art communities. The California Mountains, southwestern desert, and Mexican borderlands are sights not to miss on this 3-day journey. It’s unquestionably one of the most scenic overnight train trips in the U.S.

4 Southwest Chief

Average journey time: 43 hours

Many people question the reason for riding a train over 40 hours when one can easily book a flight and arrive in much less time. But the idea behind taking such a trip is to experience the country differently. A train ride lets one experience more of the country without doing anything. That’s why many people love to book the Southwest Chief.

It’s a less famous ride that takes visitors south of the Rocky Mountains. Passengers travel through the vast expanse, passing through eight states, all with stunning landscape views. The train crosses the Mississippi River shortly after its departure, heads to Kansas City, then Topeka before it dips into Colorado, and heads to New Mexico, the start of the most scenic part of the trip.

The route stops in Albuquerque, then heads to Petrified Forest National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. Riders can see the Colorado River, the Pacific Ocean, and the San Gabriel Mountains along the way.

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These Are All The Amazing Places You’ll Stop On Amtrak’s Southwest Chief Route

For those who’ve not done it, riding Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route is an enjoyable way to see the amazing scenery the train noisily trundles across.

5 Empire Builder

Average journey time: 43 hours

Amtrak’s Empire Builder is a slow train that passes through some of the most scenic sights in the United States. The ride goes between the Pacific Northwest, and departures happen daily in both directions. Travelers heading eastbound will start their journey at Union Station in Portland or Seattle King Station.

Either route will meet in Spokane and head to Union Station in Chicago. Passengers don’t need to do the entire journey. Travelers can book trips between the various stops along the route.

The train passes through the northernmost states in the Midwest and West, immersing travelers in unmatched beauty. Passengers see some of the most remote areas, which are usually hard to reach. This route offers views of the Cascade Mountains, Columbia River Valley, and the Rockies.

6 Coast Starlight

Average journey time: 35 hours

This slow train route offers a chance to see the Pacific Ocean and Cascade Mountain Range up close. The train runs between Los Angeles and Seattle is one of the most scenic rides in the United States. It takes about 35 hours, and passengers who travel between the cities spend one night on the train.

Coast Starlight operates every day northbound and southbound, with rides on two-level Superliner rail cars. Passengers can enjoy an on-board cafe car, and those in first-class private rooms are offered a dining car.

The route takes passengers to scenic beaches, wineries, and hiking trails, with the best part being the Pacific Ocean in California. Mount Rainier and Mount Shasta can also be seen from the observation car.

7 City of New Orleans

Average journey time: 19 hours

City of New Orleans Amtrak Train

The Amtrak City of New Orleans route lets passengers travel through some of the best music cities in the country. The journey begins in Chicago, where travelers can enjoy a show by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The train travels almost 900 miles, making various stops along the way. The first stop is in Illinois before it crosses the border to Fulton, where travelers can attend the Banana Festival. Then it heads to Memphis, Mississippi, and finally, New Orleans, offering plenty of music and scenery to enjoy.