Complete California Zephyr Route Itinerary with Station List and Map

Riding the California Zephyr is like starring in your own low-budget reality show: three days, one moving set, and a rotating cast of characters you’ll never see again. The prize? Watching America roll by in technicolor: mountains, deserts, cornfields, and train stations you’ll get weirdly nostalgic about ten minutes after leaving.

This route runs from Emeryville, California to Chicago, Illinois, clocking in at around 52 hours. That’s 2+ days of mountains, deserts, canyons, and tiny train stations. I’ve done the whole thing, and between the breathtaking views and the charming chaos of it all, I’m here to help you plan your own ride like a pro (or at least avoid learning everything the hard way).

In this post, you’ll get a California Zephyr stop list, a live map, and links to my personal trip review and top picks for what to see and where to stay along the way. All aboard!

California Zephyr Stop Map

Here is a map and a list of the California Zephyr's station stops. This list shows the Eastbound route from Emeryville, CA to Chicago, IL. The Westbound route is the same, in reverse order.

California Zephyr Stop List

1. Emeryville, CA (EMY) – Your journey begins here, just across the Bay from San Francisco. The skyline fades quickly as you head into farmland and open space.
2. Martinez, CA (MTZ) – Massive tankers and industrial sites line the river, oddly cinematic in the morning light.
3. Davis, CA (DAV) – A cozy college town where I spotted people biking along the tracks like it was just another Tuesday. California sunshine included.
4. Sacramento, CA (SAC) – You’ll pass under the Tower Bridge and near Old Sacramento; it feels like brushing against California history at full speed.
5. Roseville, CA (RSV) – Mostly rail yards, but this is where the real climb begins. You’ll feel the train lean and lurch as the elevation changes.
6. Colfax, CA (COX) – The trees get taller, the tracks get narrower, and everything smells like pine needles, even through the window, especially if you imagine it.
7. Truckee, CA (TRU) – Blink and you’re in a mountain postcard. Even the gas stations here look like they belong on a Christmas card!
8. Reno, NV (RNO) – Take the Reno challenge my brother gave me, try to find a slot machine in the train station! Maybe you'll hit it big and then it won't matter if you miss the train!
9. Winnemucca, NV (WNN) – This is where the word “remote” starts to make sense. Sagebrush, sun glare, and not much else, but it’s oddly peaceful, and it's fun to say “Winnemucca”.
10. Elko, NV (ELK) – The endless desert here is humbling. It looks like the land is stretching on just for you.
11. Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) – Keep your eyes peeled for the Osmonds.
12. Provo, UT (PRO) – A brief stop, but the red rock cliffs that loom in the distance hint at what’s to come.
13. Helper, UT (HER) – This tiny town sits among cliffs that look hand-carved by giants. Very “Wild West” energy.
14. Green River, UT (GRI) – Stark, lunar-like terrain here. You must play Creedence Clearwater's song “Green River” like I did, and have it going through your head the rest of the trip.
15. Grand Junction, CO (GJT) – The start of Colorado magic. Even the Amtrak station has a friendly, small-town vibe.
16. Glenwood Springs, CO (GSC) – My favorite stretch of the ride. You snake through narrow canyons, rivers beside you, rock walls above you. Feels like nature’s IMAX.
17. Granby, CO (GRA) – Herds of elk are not uncommon here. I didn’t see any this trip, but I did spot a tiny frozen lake that looked like a spilled bottle of glitter.
18. Fraser-Winter Park, CO (WIP) – This ski resort town is pure snow globe territory in winter. Look for mountain cabins tucked into the trees.
19. Denver, CO (DEN) – A long stop, and your chance to see a bustling Union Station. The landscape flattens out after this, but the sky gets even bigger.
20. Fort Morgan, CO (FMG) – A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town, but the grain elevators here look like modern art.
21. McCook, NE (MCK) – The train winds past tidy neighborhoods with backyard fire pits and lawn chairs, a perfect slice of small-town Midwest.
22. Holdrege, NE (HLD) – Vast fields. Big sky. Occasional cows. You’ll feel like you’re inside a Ken Burns documentary, especially if you move your head around while you look.
23. Hastings, NE (HAS) – Historic brick buildings and long freight trains crisscrossing yours like a model railroad set come to life.
24. Lincoln, NE (LNK) – State capitol! I didn’t see much from the train, but the energy felt subtly different… more buzz, more buildings.
25. Omaha, NE (OMA) – Bridges, rivers, a flash of skyline. The train curves through the city like it’s tiptoeing.
26. Creston, IA (CRN) – Farmhouses with wraparound porches and classic red barns, like a Norman Rockwell painting that never got digitized.
27. Osceola, IA (OSC) – Golden fields rolled by like waves. This was one of those “why don’t I live here?” kind of views.
28. Ottumwa, IA (OTM) – I caught a view of old train cars rusting in a yard, oddly beautiful in the fading light.
29. Mt. Pleasant, IA (MTP) – Quiet, still, and full of nostalgia. The platform felt like it was waiting for someone to come home.
30. Burlington, IA (BRL) – The Mississippi River glows like copper when you cross it. Perfect time for you to say, “Ahhh the ol' Mississip”, to the annoyance of anyone in the area.
31. Galesburg, IL (GBB) – A railfan’s dream. You’ll see trains coming and going like you’re in the middle of a giant switchboard.
32. Princeton, IL (PCT) – This is when the “almost there” feeling starts to kick in. Cornfields give way to commuter lines.
33. Naperville, IL (NPV) – Suburbia in full force. Spot joggers, SUVs, and swing sets. You’re nearing the end.
34. Chicago, IL (CHI) – Union Station welcomes you like a cathedral of stone and steel. After three days on the rails, stepping into Chicago feels like arriving in a new world.

Want more detail?
Check out my full route review or guide to what to see and where to stay at each stop.

Coolest Sights and Lodging at each Stop

Curious what’s worth hopping off for?
From ghost towns and hot springs to roadside attractions you’d swear were made up, I’ve rounded up the most memorable sights, plus where to stay if you decide to linger.
Explore the coolest thing to see (and the best place to crash) at every California Zephyr stop.

Watch the Route in Real Time (Yes, Really!)

Can’t wait for your ride or just want to watch trains in real time like a total rail nerd?
There’s a whole YouTube channel with live cams at many of the Zephyr’s most iconic stops.
Perfect for route-planning… or zoning out on a Monday afternoon.
Watch the California Zephyr roll by — live and unfiltered.

P.S. Anyone else get the “Petticoat Junction” theme song going through your head when you think about trains? No? OK, never mind.

FAQs: Riding the California Zephyr

Q: How long is the California Zephyr route?
A: It takes about 52 hours to travel from Emeryville, CA to Chicago, IL.

Q: What are the best views on the California Zephyr?
A: The canyons near Glenwood Springs, CO and the snowy Sierra Nevadas near Truckee, CA are stunning highlights. Try to get a seat/room on the south facing side of the train.

Q: Can I get off the train at stops and explore?
A: Only briefly, most stops are just long enough to stretch your legs unless you book multiple tickets with layovers. But you can get off, spend a night or a few days, and then catch the next Zephyr. (You'll need separate train tickets for each leg of the trip if you do this.)

Full honest review of my California Zephyr trip

Amtrak California Zephyr Review: Is this 52 hour train ride worth it?