California Zephyr
Chicago, IL → Emeryville, CA · 2438 miles · 51h 20m
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2438 miles
51h 20m
Daily
79 mph
7
About the California Zephyr
Widely considered the most beautiful train ride in North America. Two full days from Chicago to San Francisco Bay, climbing the Front Range out of Denver, threading Glenwood Canyon, crossing the Utah desert and dropping through the Sierra Nevada into California.
What makes this route worth taking
- Sightseer Lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows
- Moffat Tunnel and the Colorado Rockies in daylight
- Glenwood Canyon and the Colorado River for six hours
- Donner Pass descent into Sacramento
- Traditional dining car included with sleepers
Travel tip
Westbound gives you the Rockies AND the Sierras in daylight. Eastbound does not. Call and we will explain which direction suits your trip.
Classes of service on this route
The California Zephyr operates with Superliner II with Sightseer Lounge. Available accommodation:
Sleeping-car fares on long-distance routes typically include meals for everyone in the room, along with priority boarding, station lounge access where available and a dedicated car attendant. Inclusions vary by route and change without notice, so confirm what your fare covers with the carrier.
States and provinces served
Stations along the route
| # | Station |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago |
| 2 | Naperville |
| 3 | Galesburg |
| 4 | Burlington |
| 5 | Ottumwa |
| 6 | Osceola |
| 7 | Omaha |
| 8 | Lincoln |
| 9 | Hastings |
| 10 | McCook |
| 11 | Fort Morgan |
| 12 | Denver |
| 13 | Fraser-Winter Park |
| 14 | Granby |
| 15 | Glenwood Springs |
| 16 | Grand Junction |
| 17 | Green River |
| 18 | Helper |
| 19 | Provo |
| 20 | Salt Lake City |
| 21 | Elko |
| 22 | Winnemucca |
| 23 | Reno |
| 24 | Truckee |
| 25 | Colfax |
| 26 | Sacramento |
| 27 | Davis |
| 28 | Martinez |
| 29 | Emeryville |
Station lists reflect the principal calling pattern. Individual departures may omit stops or add seasonal calls. Schedules, equipment and station stops are set by the carrier and change without notice — confirm current details directly with the carrier before you travel.
Planning a journey on the California Zephyr
Fares on Amtrak routes move in tiers that generally only step upward, so booking once your dates are firm is usually cheaper than waiting. Sleeping-car accommodation is capped per car and tends to sell out well ahead of coach on this kind of route.
Want to talk it through before you book? Call +1 (888) 821-4679 and we will walk you through the route, the accommodation and the accessibility arrangements. Free, and no obligation.
