The Southwest Chief Rail Trip

We decided to swap a road trip for a rail trip aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief!  Too often we view the destination as the journey, but what about the journey itself?!  We’ve now driven across the country (5) times and we were up for a change of scenery.  Amtrak’s 21,400 miles of track rarely follows the interstate and affords pristine vistas uninhibited by asphalt and motor vehicles.  The Southwest Chief runs from Chicago to Los Angeles via the expanse of the American West.  There’s also no navigation, fuel, food or lodging to worry about, it all happens on the train!  As an added bonus to us full-time workers, with free WIFI, I was also able to do a little bit of work and save a few hours of PTO.

Union Station about to board Southwest Chief
Metropolitan Lounge, Union Station, Chigao
The transit happened like this:
  • Amtrak Bluewater from Kalamazoo to Chicago (1.5 hours in Coach)
  • Amtrak Southwest Chief from Chicago to Flagstaff (31 hours in Roomette)
  • Pick-up rental car in Flagstaff, AZ to drive to Tucson, AZ via Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon and Saguaro
  • Fly home from Tucson to Kalamazoo!

As this was my first time overnighting on Amtrak, I scoured the internet looking for what to expect from our Roomette.  You can find some good YouTube videos out there but here’s the highlights and a few pics:

  • Lockable glass door w/ curtain for privacy
  • (2) facing chairs with fold down tray table between
  • Curtains at train windows
  • Cupholders (you’ll need them!)
  • Ample coat hooks & mirror
  • Pillows, bed linen & towels
  • Trash
  • Steps to fold-down bunk
  • Overhead lights & reading lights
  • Outlets
  • Individual roomette temperature control

We also got some perks traveling on the Sleeper Car:

  • Station Lounge Access (with free snacks!)
  • Personal Attendant
  • Complimentary Meals
  • Complimentary Coffee
  • Separate Toilet/Showers
You can get off the train for fresh air at whatever stop you desire, and stops at major stations are long enough for short walk-abouts.  And the views aboard do not disappoint!  

I almost didn’t want to end the “transit” stage of our adventure, but it was time to step outside and explore.  Honestly, I never thought much of the desert, but after spending the next 3 days in Arizona, I was mesmerized.

Discover the magic of the desert at these special parks: