8 Scenic Amtrak Routes You Can’t Miss in 2023

Amtrak’s scenic routes make for an unforgettable getaway. Comfortable, convenient, and often cheaper than air travel, these routes show you some of the best landscapes in the US.

You don’t need to fly to faraway destinations in order to have an exciting vacation. Skip the long, boring check-in lines and unpredictable delays at the airport and book yourself a ticket on one of Amtrak’s scenic routes instead. Train travel produces significantly less carbon emissions than air travel and, if you travel coach, is much cheaper. Plus, you get to see not only one new place but four or five at the very least. The best part is that you can sit back and take in the breathtaking scenery between train stops instead of endless cloudgazing. 

1. From Chicago to Seattle: Empire Builder

Spend 46 hours traveling through the rugged landscapes of the American West. Running between the Pacific Northwest and Chicago, the Empire Builder covers extensive sections of the famous Lewis and Clark trail. Upon departure from Chicago, you will enjoy majestic views of the Mississippi before crossing the next day into the North Dakota plains and traveling over the spectacular Gassman Coulee Trestle. From there, you will enter Montana Big Sky country, passing by the ever-popular Glacier National Park. Then it’s onward to Spokane and then Seattle if you choose, skirting the Columbia River Gorge and taking in breathtaking views of Mt. Hood and Beacon Rock as you go.

The details:

• Chicago – St. Paul/Minneapolis – Spokane – Portland/Seattle
• Duration: 46 hours
• Daily departures
• Learn more here

2. Amtrak Route to LA: Scenic Southwest Chief

The Southwest Chief carries passengers from Chicago to Los Angeles and is a stand-out favorite of Amtrak enthusiasts as it roughly follows much of the same path as the scenic and iconic Route 66. A particularly spectacular highlight of the Southwest Chief is passing through the painted desert in Arizona and soaking up great views of the fiery red cliffs of Sedona. The Southwest Chief covers around 2,265 miles in 43 hours.

The details:

• Chicago – Kansas City – Albuquerque – Flagstaff – Los Angeles
• Duration: 40+ hours
• Daily departures
• Learn more here

3. Along the West Coast: Coast Starlight

35 hours on the Coastal Starlight route with be an unforgettable travel experience. This glorious west coast odyssey runs daily between Los Angeles and Seattle, passing through the Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland as it goes. The scenic coastal vistas along the route are unmatched and truly diverse. Whether it’s the pristine Pacific Ocean coastline, snow-covered peaks of the Cascade Range and Mount Shasta, or verdant forests and valleys, the ever-changing landscapes will constantly grab your attention and fire your imagination.

The details:

• Seattle – Portland – Sacramento – Los Angeles
• Duration: 35 hours
• Daily departures
• Learn more here

4. Sunset Limited: Visiting the South by Train

Amtrak’s southernmost scenic route, 48 hours onboard the Sunset Limited takes you from Louisiana to California. Running in each direction, passengers can kick back and enjoy the scenery as the train winds its way through Bayou Country, skims past the Mexican border, and continues onward through southwestern desert landscapes and California mountain ranges. This particular route also allows for some extra flexibility, where travelers can add additional scenic routes to their itineraries if they desire. These connecting services include the Texas Eagle, Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner, and San Joaquins scenic routes.

The details:

• New Orleans – San Antonio – Tucson – Phoenix – Los Angeles
• Duration: 48 hours
• Departures: Three days a week
• Learn more here

5. California Zephyr: The Most Scenic Amtrak Route

Experienced travelers all agree that the California Zephyr is undoubtedly the most scenic Amtrak route available in North America. An epic 51 hours of travel time covers the lofty heights of the Rockies as well as the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range as you travel westwards. The Zephyr runs between Chicago and San Francisco, traversing the endless plains of Nebraska to Denver, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, and then through Reno and Sacramento before arriving in San Francisco.

The details:

• Chicago – Omaha – Denver – Salt Lake City – Emeryville (San Francisco)
• Duration: 51 hours 20 minutes
• Daily departures
• Learn more here

6. The Vermonter: Mountain Views

Clocking in at a little under 14 hours, this train journey takes you past snow-capped mountains as you travel between Washington DC and St. Albans. While many routes are most scenic in the spring and summer, The Vermonter is great for a fall journey, when the leaves start to turn colors, or in winter, when snow covers the landscape.

The details:

• St. Albans – Essex Junction (Burlington) – Springfield – New York – Washington, DC
• Duration: 13 hours 45 minutes
• Daily departures
• Learn more here

7. Adirondack

A shorter scenic Amtrak route covering 380 miles in 10 hours, The Adirondack travels from New York to Montreal as it winds its way through the picturesque Hudson Valley. The trip also takes in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains and most travelers agree that this route is at its best during fall when the landscape puts on a vibrant display of fall colors.

The details:

• New York – Albany – Montreal – Salt Lake City – Emeryville (San Francisco)
• Duration: 10 hours
• Departures: Seasonal, check website
• Learn more here

8. Silver Service/Palmetto

These services run between the bustling cities of New York and Miami, spending 28 hours traveling through the history-rich countryside of the Deep South. Once onboard, passengers will be able to enjoy striking scenery not usually accessible by other modes of transportation, with the Florida Bayou being a real highlight.

The details:

• New York – Washington, DC – Charleston – Savannah – Jacksonville – Orlando – Tampa / Miami
• Duration: 28+ hours
• Daily departures
• Learn more here

You’ll find more routes on the official website.

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• Zero Waste Lifestyle Guide: Simple Tips Towards Sustainable Living
• Wild Camping: A Beginner’s Guide to Free Camping in the US & Canada

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Tags: Guide Holidays

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