Texas and California both became states in the decades before Railways connected most of the continental US. How long would it take to travel from Texas (especially the inland central/west regions) or California to Washington DC in the 1850s and 60s, and how were the early congressmen of such remote states expected to appropriately juggle their time between Washington and their home districts?

It's my understanding that some of the farther regions, especially in California, could take up to 6 months to reach before they were connected via railroad. Given that representatives only served 2 year terms and needed to campaign at home, it seems like a very precarious position.