This trip would be nicer to take in Spring/Summertime but January seems to be the only time that I can take this length of trip. My biggest concern is packing for winter in cold places like Chicago and warm like Los Angeles on the same trip.

      • thessnake03@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?mid=1hKJczRmONcdhwvdk2kx-Oq2gAXia290&usp=sharing

        took some doing. You can embed directions in My Maps… everything but transit. I took this tool https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input?form=googleearth and converted standard Google Maps links to .kml files and then imported those into Google’s My Maps.

        Google suggested a few different routes from Philly to Chicago, other than Cardinal. Might be worth switching the stops to NOLA > Philly > NYC > Chi, taking Lake Shore from NYC to Chi. A bit less “back tracking” on the east coast with that route. Included it on the map as a separate layer just in case.

        DM if you want the klm files. Happy to share.

        • robocall@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          Wow! This is amazing! Thank you so much! It’s so pleasing to see how many states I’ll travel through! I love the title that you gave it!

          I am keen on taking the Cardinal because I want to travel through West Virginia and Kentucky - even though it’s 9 hours longer, and it’s a small train. Maybe I should do more research to see if the Cardinal is actually worth it. Lake Shore Limited is my B plan.

          Per the rules of the USA Rail Pass, I believe I can only start booking my trip in October, so if I change my mind on the Cardinal or am unable to take it, I’ll definitely take your advice about the Lake Shore Limited, and switch to philly first then NYC.

          • thessnake03@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            1 year ago

            No worries! Glad to help.

            Iirc the train through Ohio is in the middle of the night. But that’s off memory, haven’t looked into it in forever.

            Have a great trip