I've taken it in the past and have enjoyed the ride. Driving from here to D.C. is just too monotonous and boring for me. However, I must say that it's the driving and tolls and traffic and congestion and construction NORTH of D.C. that really gets to me. I would love to see it extended to the New York/New Jersey area but I know it's not possible until CSX clears the route in the future which is planned.
I did go coach last two times to save a lot of money and it really wasn't that bad. The cars were not full so it was easy to find too unoccupied seats.
For coach they do not supply pillows and blankets but they sell a small kit if you wish to buy it. Bringing your own pillow is easy.
We did receive a continental buffet breakfast and I think we got dinner too but apparently things have sadly changed recently in that regard.
You are assigned seats at check-in so you have some choice there but you can move to other seats easy enough if the train isn't full. I grabbed a seat mid-car at the top of the stairs and that turned out to be a bit of a noisy spot since people were going up and down the stairs all night to get to the bathrooms and they usually slammed and loudly locked the doors. Earplugs would help.
I was lucky enough to take the original "Auto-Train" before Amtrak took it over and that was excellent. There were movies in the dining car and live entertainment at night in the Starlight Lounge giant dome car. It was a special and unique experience. Amtrak is ever so slowly downgrading this unique upscale Land Cruise experience into a basic utilitarian ferry boat service.
I guess you have to decide if you want to drive that distance or not. I prefer to sit back and relax and watch the world (mostly pine trees) go by. If they ever run it to New Jersey it would be a no-brainer for me.
BTW - When we first moved here it was a 24 hour straight non-stop drive from Boston. Do not want to do that again.
Have a safe trip whatever you decide.
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