I took a 32-hour Amtrak trip up the West Coast. It was great, but I wouldn't recommend it for routine travel.

I took a 32-hour Amtrak ride up the West Coast.

Ripley Mayfield

Last year, while visiting a friend in California, I decided to stop in Seattle to see my sister before returning home to Texas.Instead of booking another flight, I decided to go an alternative route: Amtrak's Coast Starlight, a 32-hour train ride from Santa Barbara to Seattle.At the time, my social media feeds were flooded with videos of flight delays and air traffic control disasters, so taking a train felt like an easy choice.Plus, I thought a solo travel journey all the way up the West Coast with my own personal roomette sounded like the perfect main-character moment.The ride was an unforgettable experience full of breathtaking views, but in the end, I'm not sure the scenery was worth the nearly $500 price tag.

When I boarded, I noticed the roomette was pretty bare bones.

Even though the roomette was sparse, it had everything I needed for 32 hours.