As the passengers sleep, the train carries them across Minnesota, and well into North Dakota before sunrise. The route parallels, US highway 2 much of this stretch. Sights include the high prairie, once-prosperous farming towns (now almost vanished). Wildlife, especially birds, deer and coyote are often seen.
Around noon, the ''Empire Builder'' crosses into Montana. As you enter Montana, at the left of the train, you can see the large flag and reconstructed fur trading post of the Fort Union National Monument. The train loosely follows the Missouri River (and the Lewis and Clark Trail) for about 130 miles between Williston ND and Wolf Point MT. This strech passes through the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, one of several Indian reservations on the route.
The scenery remains rolling high plains for several more hours. In the late afternoon/early evening (depending on the season traveled in) the train arrives at Glacier National Park. In summer, the mountain vistas are beautiful—however, the light will fade quickly in winter, giving only a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains.
The train traverses the mountains through the second night, traveling down the Cascade Mountains and Skykomish River valley to the Puget Sound. After an hour or so following the waterfront, the ''Empire Builder'' arrives in Seattle (approx. 10:20 AM, typically).
Passengers bound for Portland, Oregon have their rail cars diverted at Spokane, WA in the middle of the second night. By the time it gets light in the morning you are well out of the mountains and are traveling down the north side of the Columbia River to Portland. This is actually one of the most scenic parts of the trip. You see log rafts, wind surfers, dams, sagebrush. The last part of the journey is through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.
''Empire Builder'' passengers traveling eastbound ''from'' Seattle/Portland see much more of the Glacier Park area and less of the plains. Thus, if you are only traveling in one direction, east-bound is preferable.
The total running length of this route is 2200 miles.