You’re probably here because you just finished a massive binge of Cullen Bohannon’s gritty journey and noticed something felt... off. Maybe your streaming service cut off abruptly, or you're looking at a DVD set that seems thinner than the rest. People get confused about how many episodes of Hell on Wheels season 5 actually exist because AMC decided to pull a fast one with the scheduling.
It wasn't a standard ten-episode run like the first three years.
Honestly, the way they released the final season was a bit of a headache for fans at the time. Instead of a straight shot to the finish line, the network split the end of the line into two distinct volumes. If you’re looking for the hard number, there are 14 episodes in Season 5. But there is a catch. You can't just look at them as one big block of TV.
The Great Split: Seven and Seven
Back in 2014, AMC renewed the show for its final outing. They ordered 14 episodes, which sounded like a win since Season 4 had 13. However, they didn't air them all at once.
The first seven episodes (Part 1) premiered in the summer of 2015. After that? Total radio silence. Fans had to wait nearly a full year—until June 2016—to see the final seven episodes (Part 2). Because of this massive gap, a lot of people think the show ended at episode seven, or they mistake the two parts for separate seasons.
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- Part 1 (Episodes 1-7): Aired July to August 2015.
- Part 2 (Episodes 8-14): Aired June to July 2016.
This "split season" trend was something AMC loved doing back then. They did it with Breaking Bad. They did it with Mad Men. It’s basically a way to keep a hit show on the air longer without paying for a full extra season of production. Kinda clever, but definitely annoying if you were watching it live.
What Actually Happens in Those 14 Episodes?
If you haven't finished the run yet, prepare for a change of scenery. Season 5 shifts focus toward the Central Pacific Railroad. Cullen moves to Truckee, California, and we finally get to see the Chinese labor force that was so vital to the real-life transcontinental railroad.
It’s a different vibe. The Sierra Nevada mountains replace the flat plains.
Part 1: The California Trek
The first half is largely about Cullen trying to find his family while dealing with the "Swede" (who is still being a total creep, obviously). You see the introduction of Mei/Fong, a character that adds a lot of heart to a show that is usually just dirt and gunpowder.
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Part 2: The Golden Spike
The final seven episodes are where things get heavy. This is the home stretch. We're talking about the race to Promontory Summit. It covers the actual completion of the railroad, but more importantly, it covers the "completion" of Cullen Bohannon.
The very last episode, titled "Done," aired on July 23, 2016. It wasn't just about driving a spike into the ground; it was an epilogue for everyone left standing.
Why the Episode Count Matters for Streaming
If you’re watching on a platform like Paramount+ or buying it on Vudu, keep an eye on how they label things. Some digital stores sell "Season 5, Volume 1" and "Season 5, Volume 2" separately.
Don't get ripped off. Make sure you're getting all 14.
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If your "complete series" set only shows 50 episodes total, something is wrong. The entire series has 57 episodes.
- Season 1: 10 episodes
- Season 2: 10 episodes
- Season 3: 10 episodes
- Season 4: 13 episodes
- Season 5: 14 episodes
Is it Worth Finishing?
Some fans felt the final season was a bit "choppy." Since there was a year between filming segments, the rhythm feels a little fractured. One week you’re watching a high-stakes standoff with the Swede, and the next, Cullen is in Washington D.C. wearing a suit. It’s a lot to process.
But look, if you’ve come this far, you have to see how it ends. Anson Mount’s performance in the finale is top-tier. The show doesn't give everyone a "happy" ending in the traditional sense, but it feels honest to the period. The railroad was built on blood, and the show doesn't let you forget that.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're missing episodes, check your streaming library specifically for a "Part 2" or "Volume 2" section, as they are often tucked away in sub-menus. For the best experience, watch the final seven episodes in one weekend to keep the narrative momentum that the original TV schedule sadly destroyed. Once you're through episode 14, you've officially reached the end of the line.