I spent 53 hours on Amtrak's longest train. These were the 6 best and 4 worst parts of the journey.

• I took Amtrak’s longest train, the California Zephyr, from Illinois to California in early 2026.
• I booked a $2,200 bedroom for the 53-hour journey across the American West.
• I enjoyed meeting travelers and sleeping in the top bunk, but some views were better than others.

Sleeping in the top bunk was an unexpected highlight.

The views across the American West were absolutely jaw-dropping.

The most amazing part of this trip was the ever-changing view out my window.

This route passes a variety of scenes — mountains, forests, and lakes from Colorado to California, along with deserts, rivers, and red canyons, from Utah to Nevada.

I stared out my window in awe. To see so many different types of natural American landscapes in just 53 hours was an epic experience.

Hanging out in the observation car was a highlight.

The lounge car is a communal carriage on the top floor of the California Zephyr. It’s also known as the observation car because, unlike the rest of the train, it has two rows of giant windows on either side of the aisle. It was the best place to be for optimal views.

But some of the landscapes along the route were flat and boring.

Day one took us through the plains of Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. For hours, I saw nothing but prairies and flat land with the occasional factory, silo, or cluster of homes.

I spent these hours reading and playing video games to avoid getting bored.

I didn’t have dramatic, diverse views until we hit Colorado when I woke up on day two.

Passengers were able to get off and stretch during some stops, but not often enough to keep me from feeling cramped and antsy at times.

I embraced every opportunity to get off the train and move my body.

During the stops that were long enough to do so, which could be anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the station, I walked up and down the platform and did some yoga and light cardio.

However, there were a couple of portions of the ride where passengers couldn’t get off for five hours or more. These hours felt the longest. I could feel my pent-up energy building while my joints stiffened, cracking as I stretched.

I thought not having WiFi or consistent service would be one of the worst parts of the trip, but it ended up being one of the best.

I knew there was no WiFi on the California Zephyr train before booking, and since the route travels through the wilderness, I assumed I couldn’t rely on cell service.

I expected to find this aspect of the trip challenging, but once on the journey, I formed a whole different outlook.

Spending 53 hours on a train is a chance to take a break from your life. From transit to meals, everything you really need is taken care of for you until you reach your destination.

If I’d had WiFi and consistent service on the California Zephyr, I may have wasted this opportunity to recharge by keeping my brain focused on the rest of the world.

By the end of the trip, I felt refreshed and ready to take on the responsibilities in my phone.