A customer’s story about trading traffic jams for window views, and discovering what travel should really feel like.

🚗💭 The Plan: A Quick Weekend Away

I had it all mapped out: drive from Seattle to Portland, spend a couple of nights exploring the city, then head back Sunday afternoon. Just a simple weekend escape to clear my head.

But then came the forecast—rain, fog, and “heavy weekend traffic expected on I-5.” Not exactly the peaceful trip I’d imagined.

On a whim, I started looking at train options. I hadn’t taken Amtrak in years. Could a train ride really be better than my car?

I figured: Why not try it once?
Spoiler alert—I may never drive that route again.

🚆✨ The Shift: From Frustration to Freedom

Instead of sitting in stop-and-go traffic with one eye on the road and one hand on a lukewarm coffee, I boarded the Amtrak Cascades. The difference hit me immediately:

• No parking stress
• No gas stops
• No dealing with other drivers

Just me, a window seat, a coffee from the café car, and the wide-open beauty of the Pacific Northwest rolling by.

Forests, rivers, mist-covered hills—I’d driven this route dozens of times and never really seen it.

📚💡 More Time for Me

On the train, I actually had time to breathe. I caught up on a podcast, read a few chapters of a book I’ve been meaning to finish, and even sketched a bit in my journal.

It felt like part of my vacation had started the moment I sat down, not when I reached my destination.

🌆 Arrival, Stress-Free

I stepped off the train at Portland Union Station—right in the heart of the city—and realized something:
I felt relaxed.
No traffic fatigue. No headache. Just excited to explore.

I grabbed lunch at a food truck pod, walked along the riverfront, and checked into my hotel early—something I never manage when I drive.

🚘💬 The Truth About Driving

Don’t get me wrong—cars have their moments. But when I factored in gas prices, parking fees, and the stress of unpredictable traffic, the train just made more sense. It was:

• Cheaper than expected (especially with a weekend fare promo)
• Way more comfortable
• A better experience, start to finish

I didn’t just get to Portland—I enjoyed getting to Portland.

🧭 Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. In fact, I’ve already got my eye on a summer trip to Leavenworth on the Empire Builder line.

There’s something about train travel that feels… human. Unrushed. Scenic. A little old-school in the best way.

And when the alternative is honking horns, red lights, and “recalculating route”… well, the choice is pretty clear.

🎟️ Thinking About Making the Switch?

If you’re tired of traffic, ready to ditch the stress, or just curious what it’s like to travel differently—give the train a try. You might be surprised what you find out there.

Because sometimes the best part of your trip isn’t the destination—it’s the decision to slow down and enjoy the ride.

See you onboard.
– Jessica R., Seattle to Portland traveler