Amtrak's Longest Ride: Tips for Surviving 53 Hours on the California Zephyr

The author shares 10 ways to make the 2-night train journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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After spending 75 hours on sleeper trains around the US, the author decided to take Amtrak's California Zephyr, the longest train ride in the country, from Chicago to Emeryville, California. The 53-hour journey presented some challenges, but the author's past experience helped them make the most of the long trip and even find moments of enjoyment.

Why it matters

Long-distance train travel is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to flying, but the extended time on board can be daunting for some passengers. The author's tips provide valuable insights for anyone considering taking Amtrak's California Zephyr or other multi-day train journeys.

The details

The author took the entire 53-hour route of the California Zephyr, Amtrak's longest train ride in the US, from Chicago to Emeryville, California. Despite never having spent two nights on an Amtrak train before, the author's knowledge from past train travel experiences helped them find ways to make the long journey more comfortable and even enjoyable.

  • The author took the California Zephyr train in March 2026.

The players

Joey Hadden

The author of the article, who has extensive experience taking long-distance train trips around the US.

Amtrak

The national passenger railroad service that operates the California Zephyr train route.

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The takeaway

The author's tips provide a helpful guide for anyone considering taking Amtrak's California Zephyr or other multi-day train journeys, offering insights on how to make the most of an extended time on board and even find moments of enjoyment during the long ride.