Cross Country Train Trip: 7 National Parks from New York to Seattle
Cross Country Train Trip: NYC > SEA
Start / End
New York City, NY > Seattle, WA
National Parks
Cuyahoga, Indiana Dunes, Theodore Roosevelt, Glacier, Mount Rainier, Olympic & North Cascades
Total Distance
2,850+ miles / 4,586+ kilometers
Suggested Days
10-21 Days
Suggested Seasons
Late Spring, Summer & Fall
#ThisIsMyRoute
Overview
If you’ve been dreaming of a cross country train trip that takes you to some of America’s most beloved national parks, it’s time to wake up! Journey from coast to coast exploring seven national parks between New York and Seattle. Slow down and take the scenic route from rolling Appalachian hills to the Great Lakes on to sprawling Western landscapes. Appreciate the vastness of the United States while enjoying scenic train rides along the way.
This map is based on a driving route (because Google is lame and doesn’t allow for a transit option here), but you get the general idea of the itinerary. You could easily take this trip in reverse, though we recommend the east-to-west route as the landscape gradually becomes more extreme (and impressive) in this direction.
What to Know Before Your Cross Country Train Trip
First thing’s first: whether you follow this route alone, take an abridged version, or combine it with other cross country train trips, you’ll want to purchase a USA Rail Pass. Similar to a European interrail ticket, the USA Rail Pass allows travelers to board multiple trains within a designated period of time at a reduced rate.
Disadvantages of a USA Rail Pass
Always start with the bad news. For us, the biggest disadvantage of the USA Rail Pass is that it is through Amtrak, which has a tricky website and isn’t well-known for their timely service, super-fast wifi, or efficient website. Secondly, the USA Rail pass is only good for coach tickets. Upgrades aren’t available at the time of publication. Also, unlike interrail tickets in Europe, you don’t have pass length options to choose from or offer discounts for youth/senior travelers.
Benefits of a USA Rail Pass
A USA Rail Pass is definitely the most affordable way to travel by train in the United States. In fact, it’s cheaper than many European interrail passes, depending on your age and length of travel. For a flat fee, the USA Rail Pass allows travelers 10 hop on/hop off journeys within a 30 day period. That’s plenty of time to cover this itinerary, with a bit of wiggle room leftover. In addition, US trains are accessible-friendly, and rail pass tickets can be used towards the Amtrak rewards program. Plus, train travel in general allows for more baggage flexibility (bring your bike!) and less security lines than flying.
NEW YORK CITY, NY → CLEVELAND, OH
Total Journey Time: 12 Hours
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Our journey starts in New York City, where you can get your fill of fast-paced metropolitan adventures before boarding a few different train options to head west. The Lake Shore Limited and the Pennsylvanian both depart from Penn Station and take passengers all the way to Cleveland. Choose your route: cross the gorgeous landscapes of the Catskill Mountains and Finger Lakes or take in sweeping views of the historic Horseshoe Curve in central Pennsylvania. Both options take roughly 12 hours.
Finally, you’ll have reached your destination: Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland itself is a fun city to explore, with a vibrant student scene and a rich history as a once-booming steel town. The best part? The first national park of our cross country train trip is just a 30-minute drive south. Cuyahoga Valley National Park may not be on a short list of America’s least visited national parks, but it’s certainly not one of the most visited either. With plenty of space to explore away from the crowds and ample railroading and canal passage history to discover, this national park is a great warm-up for what’s to come.
CLEVELAND, OH → CHICAGO, IL
Total Journey Time: 7 hours
Destination: Indiana Dunes National Park
Next, the tracks will keep hugging the shores of the Great Lakes towards Chicago. Once there, you can rent a car or hop on a Greyhound bus to nearby Indiana Dunes National Park. There, miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline stretch into grassy wetlands teeming with a variety of birds and wildlife. You might cross the lines back and forth between Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park, which is an easy thing to do as it’s hard to tell the difference. This common occurrence is a good reminder that plenty of state park lands back right up to many national parks and offer equally impressive experiences for visitors.
CHICAGO, IL → WILLISTON, ND
Total Journey Time: 20 Hours
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Continuing on, we’ll head for the rural reaches of North Dakota aboard the Amtrak Empire Builder. After a lengthy journey of almost 20 hours, crossing rolling plains and stretches of sky, disembark in the small town of Williston. Luckily, the community is just big enough to have a few car rental agencies, which you’ll need in order to reach Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The park is about an hour drive south, and be sure to hit the road early so you have plenty of time to explore the expansive lands. Visit the old homestead of America’s 26th president, and soak in views of where the Great Plains meet the Badlands. Keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, and prairie dogs and remember to practice safe distancing from any wildlife you encounter.
The region also has a rich Indigenous heritage, which is complicated and painful for many communities that have been affected by past displacement and discrimination. Be sure to visit with respect and take the time to engage with local Indigenous cultural opportunities and learning experiences.
WILLISTON, ND → WEST GLACIER, MT
Total Journey Time: 10 Hours
Glacier National Park
From Williston, you’ll keep on heading west for about 10 hours, most of which you should spend preparing to have your mind blown. Eventually you’ll reach your next destination of West Glacier, Montana. A true gateway town, West Glacier is tiny and almost entirely dedicated to its important post at the west entrance of Glacier National Park. You’ll want to spend as much time as possible here taking in sweeping views of pristine lakes and summiting impressive peaks throughout Glacier country. Don’t miss Logan Pass and the Going-to-the-Sun Road or the quaint community of Whitefish. Because the region is so small and has limited lodging options, be sure to book in advance, try a mid-week visit, or visit at the beginning or end of the high summer season.
WEST GLACIER, MT → SEATTLE, WA
Total Journey Time: 15 Hours
North Cascades, Olympic & Rainier National Parks
The last section of your journey takes you from Montana to Seattle, Washington. You’ll have plenty of time on this 15-hour journey to rest up for adventuring through not one but THREE national parks in and around the Seattle area. Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Park are all within day-trip proximity of Seattle. And, because this is a big city, much infrastructure exists to transit travelers to these areas of natural splendor. Since this is the last leg of the journey, spend as much time as you like exploring the Pacific Northwest region. If you’re combining it with additional train travel, be mindful of how much time and how many segments are left on your USA Rail Pass.
