The Pacific Northwest is packed with all sorts of amazing destinations from large cities to towering mountains and miles of ocean coastline. Taking one of the best Washington road trips is a great way to fully explore this stunning area.
With opportunities to explore some of the nation’s most beautiful national parks, view incredible wildlife, and see some of the coolest and most unique natural features, driving your own car or taking a rental gives you plenty of chances to experience new places.
Happiest Outdoors Contributor Kassidy lived in Washington for six months. She spent nearly every weekend out exploring so she has visited almost all of these places! In this post, she will share her favorites so you can plan your own road trip through Washington.
This list of the best Washington road trips includes:
- 9 Washington road trip ideas from all over the state
- The best time to visit Washington: What months are best?
- How many days do you need for a Washington road trip?
- Tips for road trips in Washington including info on driving, cell phones, hotel booking, and more.
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Best Washington Road Trip Ideas
1. Olympic Peninsula
Starting Point: Seattle
Time Needed: 7+ days
As one of the most diverse areas of Washington, taking a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula will have you feeling like you’ve been transported from one state to another.
Olympic National Park makes up the peninsula that sits in the far northwestern corner of Washington. It’s home to the only temperate rainforest in the United States, endless miles of ocean coastline, and a snow-capped mountain range.
With parks of the park at sea level and others high up in the mountains, the best time to visit Olympic National Park is… year-round. (The season will influence which part of the park you can visit.)
Starting in Seattle, loop down towards Olympia and begin to make your way up towards Port Angeles. This is where you’ll really start to get into the park.
Start your visit to the Olympic Peninsula at Hurricane Ridge, where you can enjoy views of the Olympic Mountain Range. The Hurricane Hill hike leaves from the visitor center and is a paved trail that leads to a phenomenal viewpoint.
Next, spend some time by Lake Crescent, and if you’re brave enough, make the tough climb to Mount Storm King. I love packing up a hiking lunch and enjoying it at the top of Mount Storm King. Then visit Sol Duc Falls and the Sol Duc Hot Springs for a relaxing evening.
On your next day, stop into the small town of Forks, which was the inspiration for the famous Twilight movie series. Then make your way to the many beaches that line the western edge of the Olympic Peninsula. Ruby and Rialto Beaches are some of the best, as are the Kalaloch Beaches, where you’ll find the Tree of Life. You can also take a backpacking trip to the Ozette Triangle, Shi Shi Beach, or Toleak Point.
Lastly, visit the Hoh Rainforest, which is one of the only rainforests in the country. It’s very beautiful, and there are several trails that you can hike to get up close and personal to the unique environment.
Where to Stay on the Olympic Peninsula
Port Angeles: Book a stay at the Olympic Lodge by Ayres. It’s a modern hotel with decor that hearkens back to the classic National Park lodge style. It’s an easy drive to Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent from here. Check rates.
Lake Crescent: Built in 1916, the historic Lake Crescent Lodge includes cabins and hotel rooms. Most have an incredible view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Check rates.
Sol Duc Hot Springs: The best way to experience the springs is to stay at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. They have cute cabins on the same property as the hot springs. Check rates.
Forks: Stay in the heart of the rainforest at the Misty Valley Inn. This cute B&B has a great deck for soaking up the sun. Check rates.
2. North Cascades Highway
Starting Point: Seattle
Time Needed: 4+ days
One of the most beautiful and underrated national parks in the entire country can be found right in Washington state. And with a road trip along the North Cascades Highway, you can experience the entire thing!
Starting in Seattle, make your way north towards Highway 20. This highway closes regularly in the winter months due to heavy snowfall, so be sure to squeeze this road trip in during the summer or fall! Once you’ve made it onto the highway, you’ll drive for a bit before you start to see the views. But once you start to see them, they’ll never end!
The small town of Marblemount marks the real entrance into the park and where you’ll start getting into some windier roads. From here, there will be plenty of stops to pull off and enjoy the views of embark on a hike.
Diablo Lake is one of the best stopping points, as well as the Washington Pass Overlook. Both of these can be reached right off Highway 20.
As for hiking trails, Blue Lake and Maple Pass Loop are two of the best. Blue Lake is one of the best beginner friendly hikes in Washington, so it’s great for all skill levels! Other great options include Thunder Knob, Sahale Arm, Cutthroat Pass, and the East Bank Trail along Ross Lake.
It’s worth continuing past the eastern boundary of North Cascades National Park to the tiny town of Winthrop. It has a fun Western theme along with lots of cute shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Overall, the North Cascades Highway road trip is the perfect trip for those who love hiking and are looking for a way to disconnect from the outside world on their road trip in Washington.
Where to Stay on the North Cascades Highway
Marblemount: Stay at the historic North Cascades Inn, opened in 1889. It’s an easy jumping-off point for drives into North Cascades National Park. Check rates.
Diablo Lake: Camp in the heart of the National Park at Colonial Creek Campground, situated on the shores of Diablo Lake. You can hike right from your campsite. Check rates.
Winthrop: The Methow River Lodge gives you the best of both worlds: You get a cute cabin along the river with a wilderness feel, and the shops and restaurants of “downtown” Winthrop are just a 10-minute walk away. Check rates.
3. Mount Baker Highway
Starting Point: Seattle
Time Needed: 3+ days
If you’ve already visited North Cascades National Park or are looking for somewhere even less visited, then planning a trip to the Mount Baker Highway is a must. This is my favorite area in all of Washington.
You’ll drive north of Seattle towards Bellingham and almost into Canada. If you have extra time, drop into Bellingham. The quaint downtown has several great craft breweries. If you visit on a Saturday, be sure to stop at the farmer’s market.
After Bellingham, your route turns inland towards the Deming area. From here, you’ll head east on Mount Baker Highway to start exploring this beautiful stretch of land.
Most of this road trip is in Mount Baker National Forest. But it’s worth a stop in the town of Glacier before you get into the forest. It has a great brewery as well as a few restaurants and hotels.
There’s a lot to explore along this highway, and you’ll start to see views of the Cascade Range and Mount Baker not too long after you start the drive. But the closer you get to the end of the road, the better the views get.
This road trip could be great year-round, as long as you keep an eye on the road conditions. You won’t be able to do hikes in the winter, but Mount Baker does have a popular ski area.
In summer, check out all of the amazing hikes including Artist Point, Chain Lakes Loop, Lake Ann, and Bagley Lakes. I highly recommend walking to Artist Point, even if that means walking on the road for a short time. It’s so beautiful and a one-of-a-kind view!
You’ll also want to make a stop at Picture Lake, one of the most picturesque lakes you’ll ever see. The Mount Baker Highway dead-ends at Artist Point, so retrace your route back to Seattle once you’ve finished admiring the views.
Where to Stay on the Mount Baker Highway
Bellingham: Stay within walking distance of everything at Hotel Leo. Most of the rooms are pretty big and while the hotel is older, the decor and amenities are very modern. Check rates.
Glacier: This time town is full of adorable rental cabins. The Charming Cedar Chalet is nestled into the rainforest. The best part? The wooden outdoor hot tub! Check rates.
Mount Baker National Forest: Immerse yourself in the wilderness by reserving a campsite at the Silver Fir or Douglas Fir Campgrounds. Check rates.
4. Eastern Washington
Starting Point: Spokane
Time Needed: 4+ days
When people think of road-tripping Washington, they often forget about the eastern half of the state. But there is so much to see here that is overlooked and forgotten about!
Starting in Spokane, plan your trip to explore Eastern Washington. Head south towards Palouse Falls to start. This massive waterfall is one worth seeing. It’s Washington’s state waterfall, which is saying a lot being that there are so many of them!
As you head north, check to see if any events are happening at The Gorge Amphitheater in Quincy. This unique concert venue has hosted hundreds of shows and has a stunning backdrop for music.
As you head north, it’s worth making a detour to Lake Chelan. Take the foot-passenger ferry down the lake to Stehekin, a unique town surrounded by North Cascades National Park. It makes a fun day trip or a longer excursion to access some incredible hiking.
Then make your way up to Coulee City to visit Steamboat Rock State Park. This unique and beautiful park is a must-see. I loved it more than I thought I would because it’s such an interesting area. I also really loved that it’s so much less busy than Western Washington.
You can also then visit the Grand Coulee Dam before finishing your loop road trip back to Spokane. The dam is the largest producer of hydroelectricity in the United States!
Where to Stay in Eastern Washington
The Gorge: The gorgeous Sagecliffe Resort & Spa has incredible views from both the main hotel building and the private cliffhouse cottages. Check rates.
Lake Chelan: Stay in wine country near the shores of Lake Chelan at the Lakeside Lodge and Suites. Check rates.
Steamboat Rock State Park: Book a rustic cabin or campsite at Steamboat Rock State Park. You can hike right from your site or walk over to Banks Lake for a swim. Check rates.
5. Mount Rainier National Park
Starting Point: Seattle or Portland
Time Needed: 5+ days
Perhaps the most popular national park in Washington is Mount Rainier. This could be because it’s the tallest mountain in the state and it dominates the Seattle skyline for everyone to see.
A road trip to Mount Rainier National Park is a great way to explore Washington’s natural beauty. Starting from either Seattle or Portland, Oregon, head towards the national park.
Starting with Paradise, which is on the southern side of the mountain, you’ll explore the area around Paradise Inn. This is also the perfect place to stay for your visit.
From the inn, you can visit Myrtle Falls and take the ever-popular Skyline Loop Trail for some of the most amazing views of the mountain. Be sure to check the weather before going to Paradise, because when we went, it was so foggy we couldn’t even see the mountain.
After spending time in Paradise, follow Stevens Canyon Road through Ohanapecosh towards Sunrise. Stop at Reflection Lake and the many overlooks on the way. If you need supplies or a place to stay, take a detour down Highway 123 and then Highway 12 to the town of Packwood.
At Sunrise, embark on the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail. This hike gives you incredible, unobstructed views of Mount Rainier.
For a few more added days in a less busy area, head to Carbon River and Mowich Lake. You’ll find far fewer people on this side of the park, but the Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout is a must and will complete your trip to Mount Rainier.
Where to Stay at Mount Rainier
Paradise Area: The historic Paradise Inn is over 100 years old and lets you stay right in the heart of the park. The log-beamed atrium is stunning! Check rates.
Ohanapecosh Area: Located roughly halfway between Paradise and Sunrise, the Ohanapecosh Campground is a great base for exploring the park. Check rates.
Packwood: Choose from hotel-style rooms or self-contained cabins with kitchens at the Packwood Lodge and Cabins. They have an on-site restaurant too. Check rates.
6. I-90 and Highway 2 Loop
Starting Point: Seattle
Time Needed: 5+ days
There’s a lot to explore in Northern Washington, and by putting together a loop by combining the I-90 and Highway 2 drives, you’ll create one epic road trip.
Start in Seattle and begin by driving east on I-90. You’ll quickly start coming across places to stop, beginning with North Bend. Here you’ll find trailheads for some of the most popular hikes near Seattle; Rattlesnake Ledge, Twin Falls, and Mount Si. If you’re looking for a short hike, walk the 1.4-mile trail to Snoqualmie Falls. (You might recognize it from the TV show Twin Peaks!)
As you continue along the road, you’ll drive by Snoqualmie Pass. This is a ski resort in the winter, and a great place to do some hiking throughout the rest of the year.
Even if you aren’t a hiker, the views along this route are beautiful, and you’ll find that it’s still worth it! Plus, the many short trails and parks allow for easy walks to viewpoints. The 2-mile hike to Franklin Falls is one of the most popular.
Continue along past Cle Elum and you’ll come to the small town of Thorp, which is where you’ll turn onto Highway 97 towards Leavenworth. Once you’ve made it to the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, turn west onto Highway 2 and spend some time in the small town.
Leavenworth is a gateway to some of the best hiking in the state, including the challenging trek to the Enchantments or the family-friendly Icicle Gorge Trail.
As you continue on the road, you’ll come across another ski resort, Stevens Pass, and many more trailheads for popular hiking trails. You can stop at any of them along your way before making it back to Seattle. Try the Iron Goat Trail, which takes you along an old railroad grade and through several abandoned tunnels.
Where to Stay on the I-90 and Highway 2 Loop
North Bend: There are tons of adorable cabins near North Bend. The Riverbend Retreat A-Frame has indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a sunroom with river views, and cute rustic-meets-modern decor. Check rates.
Cle Elum: Located just a few minutes away from Snoqualmie Pass, the Best Western Snowcap Lodge is a hiker’s favourite thanks to the included breakfast. Check rates.
Leavenworth: Immerse yourself in the town’s German theme at the Bavarian Lodge. The hotel’s decor and food (including the free breakfast) will transport you to the Bavarian Alps. Check rates.
Stevens Pass: Stay at a ski cabin in Skykomish, a few minutes from Stevens Pass. Foss Haus A-Frame has huge windows that look out on the surrounding forest. There’s also an outdoor hot tub on the huge deck. Check rates.
7. Columbia River Gorge
Starting Point: Portland
Time Needed: 3+ days
Although many people think of the Columbia River Gorge being more so in Oregon, there is plenty to explore on the Washington side as well.
Starting from the Vancouver area just outside of Portland, you can make your way down the shore of the Columbia River and stop off at all of the best hiking trails and scenic viewpoints.
Cape Horn Lookout is one of the first viewpoints to stop off at, and you can also complete the hike here. But it is a pretty long hike.
Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain come next, followed shortly by Dog Mountain. This hike is one of the most popular, particularly in the springtime with the alpine wildflowers begin to bloom and create a sea of yellow and purple.
Continue up the Gorge past the Bridge of the Gods and the town of Stevenson. Spirit Falls is one of my favorite hidden gems along this Washington road trip, and Coyote Wall is another beautiful option that is lesser known. These are two of my favorite spots near Portland, and there are often fewer visitors on both of them!
If you have extra time, you can cross the Hood River Bridge that leads from White Salmon to Hood River and spend some time exploring the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge.
Where to Stay in the Columbia River Gorge
Stevenson: The recently renovated Hotel Stevenson is a family-run boutique hotel. It gets great reviews for its quaint and cozy rooms. Check rates.
Beacon Rock State Park: Book a campsite at Beacon Rock State Park in the heart of the gorge. It’s a great base for lots of hiking trails. Check rates.
Carson Hot Springs Resort: Take a short detour up into the mountains and step back in time. The same family has run the bathhouse and hotel at Carson Hot Springs Resort for generations. Check rates.
White Salmon: There are tons of great vacation rentals in the Columbia River Gorge. The Perched on the Edge of the Gorge House has incredible views and a private hot tub. Check rates.
8. Highway 2 and the North Cascades Highway
Starting Point: Seattle
Time Needed: 5+ days
Another way to experience Highway 2 and the North Cascades Highway is to put them together as one long road trip in Washington. Starting in Seattle, begin the trip by driving east on Highway 2 towards Leavenworth.
Make stops along the way as you see fit at places like Heybrook Lookout, Lake Serene, and Wallace Falls. Be sure to spend some time in Leavenworth before continuing to the small towns of Orondo and Chelan. From here, head north until you’ve made it to Highway 20.
Once you’ve made it onto Highway 20, you’ll quickly make your way into North Cascades National Park. You’ll be going the opposite way that most people do, which is nice because there will typically be less traffic!
Stop and explore the hundreds of hiking trails throughout the park and add on some of the hikes that I mentioned above.
This is a great way to experience two of Washington’s best scenic drives, all in one trip.
Where to Stay on Highway 2 and the North Cascades Highway
Leavenworth: Immerse yourself in the town’s German theme at the Bavarian Lodge. The hotel’s decor and food (including the free breakfast) will transport you to the Bavarian Alps. Check rates.
Lake Chelan: Stay in wine country near the shores of Lake Chelan at the Lakeside Lodge and Suites. Check rates.
Winthrop: The Methow River Lodge gives you the best of both worlds: You get a cute cabin along the river with a wilderness feel, and the shops and restaurants of “downtown” Winthrop are just a 10-minute walk away. Check rates.
Diablo Lake: Camp in the heart of the National Park at Colonial Creek Campground, situated on the shores of Diablo Lake. You can hike right from your campsite. Check rates.
9. Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainer
Starting Point: Seattle or Portland
Time Needed: 5+ days
Washington has many mountains that bring in visitors from all over, but two of the most popular are Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. By taking this road trip, you can see both of them in one go!
Plan to start in either Seattle or Portland and head out for your first day of exploring.
For Mount St. Helens, visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory to learn more about the 1980 eruption of the active volcano. Many hikes from here lead you into the blast zone to see the devastating damage.
Mount St. Helens is my favorite mountain in Washington, and I find that many people forget about it. So if you want fewer crowds, I would plan a trip here!
Another must-see near Mount St. Helens is Ape Cave, which is one of the country’s longest lava tubes. You can walk underground through the cave, which is quite unique.
Then head to Mount Rainier to see Washington’s tallest mountain. Here you can check out more hikes, like the Skyline Loop and Tolmie Peak Lookout.
Where to Stay at Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier
Longview: The town of Longview is a great base for trips to Mount St. Helen’s. Book a room at the top-rated Best Western Aladdin Inn which has a great breakfast and friendly staff. Check rates.
Mount Rainier: The historic Paradise Inn is over 100 years old and lets you stay right in the heart of the park. The log-beamed atrium is stunning! Check rates.
Best Time to Visit Washington State
While Washington is beautiful year-round, there is a best time to visit to ensure that you avoid being met with closed roads and snow-covered trails.
It’s best to plan your visit to Washinton between June and September. This is when there is the least chance for snow and road closures. It’s also when the weather is the warmest.
However, no mountains are immune to snow in the summer, so always check road conditions before traveling to avoid disappointment!
How Many Days Do I Need For a Washington Road Trip?
How many days you’ll need to complete these trips will depend on which route you’re choosing to take. Some only need 3 days, while others might need a full week.
I’d personally recommend having a full week to explore almost all of them so you can fully experience the most, but if you only have a few days, select one of the routes that requires less time.
Tips for Road Trips in Washington State
- The easiest places to rent a car for your Washington road trip are Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), downtown Seattle, Portland International Airport, and downtown Portland. I use Discover Cars because it lets me compare prices across different rental companies.
- If you like exploring, I recommend renting an SUV so you can drive on bumpy forest service roads. But you can drive any of these road trips in Washington in a regular car.
- In the summer, hotels in popular locations get booked up. Make reservations in advance.
- Washington’s mountains make it tough to get cell phone reception in some places. Expect to lose reception in parts of the Olympic Peninsula, the North Cascades, and near Mount Rainier.
- Keep in mind that Washington has strict cell phone laws for drivers. It is illegal to use a phone to talk or text while driving including when you are stopped in traffic or at a red light. You can use your phone in hands-free mode via Bluetooth though.
- Washington has a great network of highway rest areas. You will never have to drive too far without passing one. They all have free (and usually clean) restrooms). Some have free coffee supplied by local volunteers (who welcome donations).
- Seattle weekend traffic is real! If you can, avoid driving out of the city on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. And avoid driving back into the city on Sunday afternoons.
From towering mountains to rugged coastline and beautiful views, Washington State is the perfect place to plan a road trip. Pack up the campervan, your own car, or a rental car and embark on some of the best Washington road trips to truly appreciate this beautiful state.
Thanks to Kassidy for sharing this gorgeous guide to the best Washington road trips. You can read more about Kassidy’s adventures on her website, the Hiking Helper.
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