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.
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.
I wanted to take the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle, but it didn’t work out. It was around 48 hours travel time. So I wanted to break it up and visit a town in between, but it’s going to be very snowy/small towns, with maybe 1 small hotel, possibly no uber/taxi/public transit. The small towns did not have a lot to offer during January, the hotels were not necessarily nearby the limited number of restaurants in town. Two days entirely in coach just seemed like too much. Overall the Empire Builder seems much more enjoyable in a private room or during the summertime when tourist season is open.
Instead of taking the Empire Builder, I chose Southwest Chief which ends in Los Angeles, and I’ve heard the Coast Starlight is more beautiful from Los Angeles to Emeryville compared to Seattle to Emeryville.
I hope someone understands what I’m saying and I’m not sounding too meta.