Direction for Western U.S. train trip?
October 18, 2023 8:59 PM Subscribe
My spouse and I plan to take a train trip across the western United States in a few years. Do you have advice on whether we should go clockwise or counter-clockwise, or what we should consider to help decide the direction?
The basic idea is roughly:
* Albuquerque to Chicago, probably stopping in Kansas City.
* Chicago to Seattle, probably stopping in Minneapolis.
* Then to Los Angeles, possibly stopping in Eugene, Oregon, and hopefully spending some time at a beach.
* Then to Albuquerque, probably with no stops in the Southwest (because that is more accessible, and we’ve previously spent much time in Arizona and New Mexico).
Or, the reverse.
We haven’t decided any stops yet (other than where each route ends). We expect to spend around 12 days total. We’re aware that Amtrak is notoriously late. The budget is moderate and doesn't cover any sleeper cars. We plan to go during the warmer months. In case it matters, we are two women in our 60s. We aren’t retired, but we might or might not have generous time off.
The basic idea is roughly:
* Albuquerque to Chicago, probably stopping in Kansas City.
* Chicago to Seattle, probably stopping in Minneapolis.
* Then to Los Angeles, possibly stopping in Eugene, Oregon, and hopefully spending some time at a beach.
* Then to Albuquerque, probably with no stops in the Southwest (because that is more accessible, and we’ve previously spent much time in Arizona and New Mexico).
Or, the reverse.
We haven’t decided any stops yet (other than where each route ends). We expect to spend around 12 days total. We’re aware that Amtrak is notoriously late. The budget is moderate and doesn't cover any sleeper cars. We plan to go during the warmer months. In case it matters, we are two women in our 60s. We aren’t retired, but we might or might not have generous time off.
Best answer: I would rather do this than the reverse because this puts the shorter leg (LA-NM) at the end. Don't want a long leg to finish up the trip with once your energy's kinda used up already.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:24 PM on October 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:24 PM on October 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
Just FYI, in case you don’t know, that the huge majority of the Seattle/Los Angeles trip is not at or along the beach. Even Union Station in LA is 20 miles from the beach.
I’m curious where you’re visiting from because it’s honestly a huge distance to travel by train with potentially less to offer than you hope for and you might not get what you want out of it.
posted by vunder at 9:37 PM on October 18, 2023
I’m curious where you’re visiting from because it’s honestly a huge distance to travel by train with potentially less to offer than you hope for and you might not get what you want out of it.
posted by vunder at 9:37 PM on October 18, 2023
Response by poster: I am really asking just about the trip direction, not whether you think it's a good idea.
posted by NotLost at 9:41 PM on October 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by NotLost at 9:41 PM on October 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle) is generally regarded as ‘better’ from west to east based on passing prettier scenery at convenient times, but it also matters what time of year.
I have only ridden the Coast Starlight as far south as Oakland, but on the Oakland to Portland leg, the Oregon cascades are in daylight northbound (but mostly not southbound, at least not in November).
Kansas City is a good stop - there is good transit from Union Station and the station itself has things to do. And the WWI museum is close by and it is excellent.
posted by janell at 9:59 PM on October 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
I have only ridden the Coast Starlight as far south as Oakland, but on the Oakland to Portland leg, the Oregon cascades are in daylight northbound (but mostly not southbound, at least not in November).
Kansas City is a good stop - there is good transit from Union Station and the station itself has things to do. And the WWI museum is close by and it is excellent.
posted by janell at 9:59 PM on October 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I would check the on-time performance. During the oil boom in North Dakota, the eastbound Empire Builder was routinely hours late into Chicago, but was roughly on schedule into Seattle--they'd lose time in North Dakota waiting for freight trains, but there was space to make up the time going west.
posted by hoyland at 4:12 AM on October 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by hoyland at 4:12 AM on October 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: My wife and I have daydreamed about this exact same trip.
I’d go clockwise, west from Albuquerque. You’ll get to the nicer scenery quicker at the beginning of the trip. As janell said, the timetables will dictate what’s optimal for sightseeing on the train.
Also, I suggest giving yourself a buffer of a day or two every time you change direction/train. That will help accommodate potential delays.
North from Los Angeles you can stop in Santa Barbara, if you’re looking for a nice beach. I also like the idea of planning a stop or two traveling through the plains to break up the monotonous part of the trip.
Twelve days total for this trip might be a little tight, but I think it’s doable.
Let me know if you need a ride to the train station.
posted by SteveInMaine at 6:04 AM on October 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
I’d go clockwise, west from Albuquerque. You’ll get to the nicer scenery quicker at the beginning of the trip. As janell said, the timetables will dictate what’s optimal for sightseeing on the train.
Also, I suggest giving yourself a buffer of a day or two every time you change direction/train. That will help accommodate potential delays.
North from Los Angeles you can stop in Santa Barbara, if you’re looking for a nice beach. I also like the idea of planning a stop or two traveling through the plains to break up the monotonous part of the trip.
Twelve days total for this trip might be a little tight, but I think it’s doable.
Let me know if you need a ride to the train station.
posted by SteveInMaine at 6:04 AM on October 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: What an amazing trip! I know that the Coast Starlight is often comically delayed for northbound travel into Seattle. I don't know how performance is southbound into LA.
In addition to your AskMeFi, there are some robust train forums you might check out and/or send this question to, if you have the time and interest.
posted by happy_cat at 6:32 AM on October 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
In addition to your AskMeFi, there are some robust train forums you might check out and/or send this question to, if you have the time and interest.
posted by happy_cat at 6:32 AM on October 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Your travel plan doesn't involve the Zephyr, from Oakland to Chicago but I'm guessing similar logic applies to all the Amtrak routes... I'd definitely go west to east if taking the Zephyr. That train is often delayed by many many hours by the time it gets to the mid point in Denver, from either direction. But it generally leaves Oakland on time, so at least you know when your trip is starting if you start in the west. If you start in Denver you have no idea when it might leave.
(I used Amtrak Explorer to visualize these train routes.)
posted by Nelson at 6:38 AM on October 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
(I used Amtrak Explorer to visualize these train routes.)
posted by Nelson at 6:38 AM on October 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you; you've given us a lot of good food for thought. I am leaning toward putting the most weight on the on-time performance.
SteveInMaine, maybe we should set up an ABQ MeFi meetup! Thanks for the ride offer.
posted by NotLost at 8:26 PM on October 19, 2023
SteveInMaine, maybe we should set up an ABQ MeFi meetup! Thanks for the ride offer.
posted by NotLost at 8:26 PM on October 19, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by NotLost at 8:59 PM on October 18, 2023