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.

The author took Amtrak's California Zephyr train from Chicago to Emeryville, California. Joey Hadden/Business Insider I spent 53 hours on the California Zephyr, an overnight Amtrak train, in February 2025. The California Zephyr is the longest train ride in the US, traveling between Chicago and Emeryville, California. I found ways to make the trip more bearable, from booking the right room to packing the right shoes. Consider this your overnight Amtrak survival guide. After spending 75 hours...