If you’ve got a free week and a long-standing itch to see the American West the slow, cinematic way, there’s one train ride built for it: the California Zephyr. The Zephyr is the longest passenger rail route in the United States, stretching 2,438 miles from Emeryville (just outside San Francisco) to Chicago.
But beyond crossing nearly the entire country, this legendary journey has been named one of the most incredible train rides in the world by Lonely Planet. The main reason it earned this recognition is the wide variety of landscapes you encounter along the way, from peaceful prairies to sprawling deserts and snowy mountains.
What to know about Amtrak’s California Zephyr
The full trip aboard the California Zephyr takes roughly 51 to 53 hours end-to-end if everything runs on schedule, just over two full days on board. Ticket prices vary widely depending on how far in advance you book and the type of seat or sleeper you choose.
Trip highlights along the California Zephyr
One of the most remarkable sections of the route is the stretch along the Colorado River through Glenwood Canyon. The train passes close to steep canyon walls and winding river views, giving passengers a close-up of the rocky landscapes.
Along the way, travelers also pass the Sierra Nevada mountains, open desert areas in Utah and Nevada, and wide plains, making it one of the most diverse and scenic train rides in the U.S.