Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Go by train only and avoid a bus transfer. Choose the route that travels from Orlando to Washington, D.C., then to Chicago and finally Los Angeles. This route from Orlando to Los Angeles takes about 80 hours.
Go by train and bus: One route makes its first stop out of Orlando in Richmond, Virginia. From there, you take a bus to Charlottesville, Virginia, about an hour and a half away. Next you take Amtrak's Cardinal line to Chicago. From Chicago you board the Southwest Chief line to Los Angeles. This route takes 80 to 82 hours depending on whether you take the Silver Meteor line or the Silver Star line out of Orlando.
Bring your own entertainment. This is going to be a very long trip any way you look at it. Occasionally, there may be onboard tour guides provided for a couple of hours in some cities, but don't count on it. Pack your laptop, a good book, a music player, games and whatever else you can think of to pass the time.
Pack an overnight bag. No one wants to have to dig through a large suitcase on a train. If you pack a smaller bag with just the things you need on the trip, you will have easier access.