Amazing $213 Cross-Country Train Ride Lets You See USA’s Most Beautiful Sights

train travel across the USA for $213

Many people dream of traveling across the United States to see the strikingly different terrains that it has to offer. Although it seems like this endeavor would be costly and time consuming, that doesn't have to be the case. Travel maven Derek Low figured out a way to make the trip for just $213. The best part? You don’t have to drive. Instead, you see the sights from the comfort of an Amtrak train car.

Over the course of four days, Low rode 3,400 miles. He started just outside of San Francisco, traveled through the Colorado Rockies, and finally landed in New York City. Although it was several days of train riding—between 15 and 20 hours per day—he stopped over in bustling metropolises like Chicago and Denver to sight-see. In only one of the four days did he sleep on the train overnight. The rest of the trips were during daylight, which allowed him to fully absorb the soul of America.

In his now-famous blog post, Low writes, “If you want to see tourist America, rent a Cadillac, get on Route 66 and stop off at a few cutesy diners and motels. If you want to see the real America in all its spectacular, crazy, kooky glory, get on the train.”

If you’re itching to take this same trip, you’re in luck—Low has started a travel-planning service that specializes in train travel. He’ll answer your questions and arrange your entire trip for a small service fee.

Here's the route that Low took for train travel across the USA…train travel across the USA for $213

… and here are all his tickets:

train travel across the USA for $213

It took four days of riding to get across the country. Day 1 was 17 hours and went from San Francisco to Salt Lake City.

train travel across the USA for $213

Low as he boarded the first train for his journey.

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

Day 2 was 15 hours long and went from Salt Lake City to Denver.

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

In the morning of Day 3, Low went from Denver to Chicago's historic Union Station.

Most of the 19-hour journey was done through the night.

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

Up until Day 4, Low had traveled on Amtrak's California Zephyr. It ends in Chicago.

train travel across the USA for $213

train travel across the USA for $213

To head to New York, he transferred to the Lake Shore Limited. This final leg took 20 hours.

train travel across the USA for $213

For an extended train trip, to explore the beauty of each stop, Low also suggests a 15-day rail pass for an affordable $429.

Derek Low: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [Hello Giggles]

All images via Derek Low. 

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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