I spent 53 hours on the longest train ride in the US. Here are 10 ways I made the 2-night Amtrak trip more bearable.
NEWS | 09 March 2026
The author took Amtrak's California Zephyr train from Chicago to Emeryville, California. The author took Amtrak's California Zephyr train from Chicago to Emeryville, California. Joey Hadden/Business Insider The author took Amtrak's California Zephyr train from Chicago to Emeryville, California. Joey Hadden/Business Insider lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Consider this your overnight Amtrak survival guide. After spending 75 hours on sleeper trains around the US, I decided to spend 53 more on the California Zephyr — the longest ride in the country (and in my life, so far). I took the entire route from Chicago to Emeryville, California. I'd never spent two nights on an Amtrak train before, but knowledge from my past experiences helped me make the most of 53 hours in a confined space. Here are 10 tips that made the long journey more bearable — and even enjoyable.
Author: Joey Hadden.
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