best scenic drive from portland to seattle

If youre a fan, make sure to stop in Aberdeen to see the house where he grew up. Hey there! Hi there, I am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach, WA to LA? Visitors will not see everything in two days, but 48 hours is enough time to see the highlights without being exhausted when it is time to get back on the road for the journey from Portland to Seattle. The mountain route will take you past the famous Mount St. Helens and into the spectacular Mt. #addittothelist. Thanks, Larissa! Located about 34 miles from Seattle, Point Defiance State Park is a large city park covering an area of 760 acres. Combine a visit to Portland with an adventure down the PCH. Just one small thing, its not the PCH, its just PCH. The 300-mile road trip from Portland to Seattle will take 5 hours to drive. Hi, we are flying into Seattle 7/27 and out from San Diego 8/7, we are visiting colleges in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and San Diego for my daughter. . Route Option #3: Southern Route on I-80. Depending on whether you drive a Washington to California road trip or just drive portions in California, you can start/end your road trip at the various cities in this guide. Head west out of Oregon along Highway 26. Question, if we were to add a stop, possible one night stay at Crater Lake, where would you suggest doing this from without missing much, (or any?) I hope this helps! Not sure it matters when you set out from Seattle; itll be great no matter when you go! Bachelor Island is an island located 30 miles from Portland in the Columbia River near Ridgefield. Great question, Sharon! Unless youre driving the lengthy coastal route, youll find the best scenery aboard Amtrak. You also mentioned Suburbans are not great because they are so big, but I dont think we have much choice with the large family. The best route depends on what type of scenery you want and the time of year. I have suggestions on dates earlier in the article to help you figure out how long to do the trip and where to stop. That includes missing the Devils Punchbowl and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in the southern part of the state; you would however get to drive through Oregons Redwoods on your way from Crater Lake to Crescent City. Thanks for your comment, Shelly! How long does it take to get from Portland to Seattle? Now that you have all the details you need to plan a PCH road trip, you need to know which destinations are worth a stop along the Pacific Coast Highway. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays (weekends) from 10am-4:30pm. You cant go wrong with seeing the views of Puget Sound. One of the most popular Seattle scenic drives, you don't even have to leave the city for breathtaking views of lush greenery and ancient trees. Im a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds and all things Scandinavian from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. So if youre looking forward to hiking, scenic drives, sights seeing or mountain climbing this a spot you have to see. Wifey and I did the PCH trip a while ago, shortly after we got married. So if picturesque fields of flowers and amazing farmland sound like something you want to see, the Skagit Valley is only a short drive from Seattle. Address. In the Suburbs of Seattle, you will merge onto Interstate 5 to take you into the city center. is booking hotels on the day or maybe the day before likely to be OK, or should we book well in advance? I am flying into Portland to meet my niece and we will rent a car and drive down the coast to LA to meet another nephew. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Hi Valerie, Great tips! Great name btw . Thank you for the pointers! Learn more about our editorial policies here. Thanks for reading, Jennifer. This is such a great article. Traveling by train from Portland to Seattle usually takes around 3 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cascades train can make the trip in 3 hours and 25 minutes. Plus you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy some tasty eats and local shopping. This location has some historical significance since it is close to where the illustrious explorers Lewis and Clark finished their cross-country journey in 1805. It may have been in a reply to someone elses comment, but I cant seem to find it now. Hi V& VDid you make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops? I recently discovered Mendocino on a weekend trip and fell in love with the small town. Theres a link to that at the end of the post. Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA. Regarding I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! Also wondering if you can tell me where I could get a printable version of your article. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. I did a bit of research into this seems like its a Los Angeles thing to drop the the but as I lived up in Northern California, we use the the. Since my post is referring to a much larger area than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the. Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about a quirky bit of California lingo! Furthermore, Stevens Canyon Road near Mt. Its less than 10 minutes drive from Newport to Devils Punch Bowl. Two States Bridge Tour. There is still plenty to see and do, and cheaper hotel prices might make the trip more affordable. I am saving this to research more of the places you mentioned !! Have a great trip! Great tips, Kathi! What do you think of Coos Bay/North Bend or better places for overnight, seemed a good split between Seattle and San Francisco? Thank you. Southern California has great weather year-round. When driving the PCH south from Portland, how much of a detour would it be to see Crater Lake on the way? I hope you have a great trip! We can skip Napa and SF. Its easy to make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, so take the opportunity! Follow Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River. Valerie-thanks for the great overview. I mapped it here so you can see the option to add in Crater Lake and what youll miss: https://goo.gl/maps/2A4GYTKnBcADVdRw5. The Washington Park Arboretum curves along a roadway blanketed by trees, flowers, and bushes. Kim. Point Reyes is arguably my favorite part of the Pacific Coast Highway and that is saying something as its really hard to choose favorites from over 650 miles of California coastline! The Oregon Coast Aquarium lets visitors explore the marine ecosystems around this part of the Pacific Ocean. Day 3 Tillamook, OR and Three Capes Scenic Drive. Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. Lot of driving in 10 days, but I am excited. The entrance road takes you through lush Sitka spruce forests that are home to deer and elk. Here, California Highway 1 carves a sinuous path along steep cliffs; the road is beautiful at a price, since mudslides arent uncommon along this stretch of highway, and can close the highway for months. I used to use Google Maps to do this, but I find that the numbered stops and waypoints are much easier to understand, and this Roadtrippers map also has other points of interest (Extraordinary Places) you might want to stop at too. San Luis Obispo with Paso Robles). Use our Scenic Drive Finder and Road Trip Planner to easily create custom road trips. Maybe worth checking another site thats more expert in RV travel! We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. Some of the best stops on the Oregon Coast are close to Portland. Do you recommend any of your overnights for golf fireworks for 4th of July? Take the ferry across to Bainbridge Island and plan to spend 2 or 3 days in Olympic National Park. Related read: 10 Serene Cabin Rentals Near Seattle, Washington, 12 Romantic Getaways in Washington to Take Your Sweetheart, 10 Marvelously Unique Places to Stay in Washington, The 9 Best Beaches in Oregon to Enjoy the Pacific Vibes. If you want to make your road trip truly magnificent, you must spend a few hours here before continuing your journey to Seattle. As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries. I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? Thanks for reading, Tony! Thanks for reading, Thomas. Historic Columbia River Highway. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: At this point in Northern California, the PCH is still U.S. 101. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: From Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101. Great questions, Julie. Technically, Seattle is not on the Pacific Coast Highway, but you can fly into Seattle and drive one hour south to Olympia to start your PCH road trip. Im not sure how to prioritize the rest of our time. Plan accordingly when you design your PCH itinerary. It sounds like youll have an awesome trip, and happy early birthday to him! There are plenty of things to do in Long Beach for more than an overnight stop! Also being from Colorado, we would love to camp oceanside, do you have any recommendations on campsites? If you want a quick stopover, you can visit state parks in the suburbs of Olympia. After driving across the famous Columbia River bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular Goonies spots in Oregons northwest-most town. Thoughts? Related Read: 12 Romantic Getaways in Washington to Take Your Sweetheart. You can learn about and explore wildlife in the area by taking a whale-watching tour or birdwatching along the coast. Thank you. offers numerous daily flights between Portland Airport (PDX) and Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) or Paine Field (PAE), and if you book in advance, you can usually snag a great fare. This was a 6 day trip. 1-2 days in Portland to visit college and check out Portland. Super excited. I hope you have a great trip whenever you can make it! While you are driving from Portland to Seattle, you must have a stopover at this unique garden built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou. However, be vigilant for early snowfall that could affect the roads. flickr/ jdegenhardt. Hoping to do this mid Sept 2020. Stay safe. Before you head back to Bend, take a scenic car tour around the perimeter of the lake on Rim Drive. Glad to help, Bethany! The I-5 N highway is the most direct route and will get you to Vancouver in the shortest . If youre camping, you wont have to drive far too find a campground or RV park. from Seattle to San Diego along this route . Yes, I do have San Francisco guides! Start in Seattle and end in San Diego. Unless youre driving the lengthy coastal route, youll find the best scenery aboard. Thank you! We just booked Patrees room! Thanks for reading, Brian. I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine. Anyway, the drive spectacular and the view at the end is just as great. It has 18 rooms and 31 RV lots. 2. Have a great trip! I am heading to LA in March and have a day to drive around and wanted to drive from LAX up HW 1 to around Malibu, maybe further! Amy, take a look at the Santa Maria Valley I stopped in Lompoc on a trip recently and they have some fun and interesting wineries there. Starting at San Francisco ending San Diego. To be honest, Id opt for the long route you only have one day, and Point Reyes is one of my favorite parts of California. It is home to many motels, lodges, campgrounds, art galleries, golf courses, water recreation areas, and eateries, making it a perfect stopover on your road trip from Portland to Seattle. Related Read:12 Spots to See Gorgeous Fall Colors in Oregon. Next, youll pass through Point Reyes, which again seems underwhelming. Is this going to be a big disappointment? The Best Stops to Make on a Seattle to Crater Lake Road Trip . Karen, great question! If you just want the best of the best in Airbnb rentals, this list will get you to the right place. This post was originally published in August 2014, and was updated regularly including most recently in May 2022. My favorite place is Mendocino if the skies are clear! I was reading for the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. My overnight stop in Santa Barbara changed my mind. You can find out more information about the data we collect on our Privacy Policy page. You can get a printable version by signing up on the forms in this post. Thanks for asking! Home / North America / Top 15 Best Stops on the Portland to Seattle Drive, A much-traveled road trip between two of the most popular cities in the NorthWest of the USA, this is a route that will take through some of the most stunning natural scenery in America. 4 The Long Way Around Through Idaho and Nevada. Hi, My wife and I are planning a 7-day drive from San Fran to Portland in late June of this year. The city boasts a broad array of tourist attractions, including Washington State Capitol Building, Capitol Lake, Capitol Theater, and Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Those are my top recommendations! Im glad it was helpful. Thanks for reading, Oleg. I would love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. If flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the way to go. I am planning to take this trip with my family of 5 as you have lined out for the 10 days this coming June. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land. A visit to Tillamook is not just about the cheese; however, a stop by the Tillamook Creamery is still a must-do. The state emblem of Washington is Mount Rainier. We are so overwhelmed. Ending at a beach front hotel in Diego for 2-3 days to visit that college, unwind and settle a little bit before leaving. In the city, the San Francisco CityPass is a good option its super helpful for getting around and seeing the citys top sights. This site uses cookies. On your stop here, be sure to walk out along the pier and keep an eye out for surfers working the breaks along the beach. Sorry; I dont have any suggestions for that! They also have a fitness center, a business center, and a sauna. Galley Kitchen. Each city has its own beauty, a variety of man-made and natural attractions, and the distinction of being the birthplace of at least a few pop-culture icons. You could easily spend a weekend here, so give it an extra day if you like playing outside. Here, a huge boulder towers above the shore and offers beach lovers several up-close photo opportunities. We are planning to stay overnight at the Madonna Inn. Likes: 0. Awesome, you can sign up using the forms in this post to get the PDF! My best advice is to take a look at the app Roadtrippers and start plugging in where you might want to go to get a sense of travel time then you can decide whats must-do, what extra you have time for, and what needs to be cut.I hope that helps! Weve daydreamed about a lot of different trips we would take one day, and a flight from the southeast US to Seattle and PCH drive to San Diego was one of them. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is also home to over 20,000 birds belonging to 275 different migrating species. My wife and I (with our dog) are driving from Pismo Beach to Cannon Beach and staying at a beach house there. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. In smaller towns though, Id recommend committing to those earlier you may find you have nowhere to stay and have to drive on another 100+ miles at some parts! Pacific Northwest Road Trip Route: As of now, I will be flying into Portland Oregon from . My question is: how to best use our time? However, there are a few options if youre looking for something indoors. My husband and I are planning a Spring Break trip with our girls March 2020. Thanks! Though its one of the easiest, the Eruption Trail is also one of the most interesting as it goes past huge channels dug out by lava flow. Related Read:When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? 2. Wonderful trip sharing you made. From Seaside, it takes 13 minutes to go to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. Tickets cost $35 - $50 and the journey takes 3h 25m. 1. 151 reviews. I love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. This stunning road winds through the Columbia River Gorge along the river, passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and more. If youre in the heart of Seattle and want to spend a day living your best tourist life, be sure to check out the Space Needle, the iconic feature defining the Seattle skyline. I'll be visiting Seattle and Portland this Christmas and your helpful tips would be really Im definitely going to try to do it sometime! Is Pacific Coast Highway the same as Highway 1 or Highway 101? Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. Ive been to Napa, Sonoma and Russian River Valley but curious if there are any great places you are aware of. Home is a cozy van parked wherever the views are stunning and the data is adequate. Also, I love your pictures! The drive takes you through a stunning and varied landscape of farms, mountains and sagebrush. Located in the northwest of Oregon, Astoria boasts a distinct slice of the Pacific Northwest allure. This highway is a great spot to catch views of Vancouver Island and maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars. : when is the best of the best scenery aboard Amtrak to Portland in late June of year. The marine ecosystems around this part of the best of the Lake on the forms in this.! In Airbnb rentals, this list will get you to exploreNative Land dog ) are driving from Pismo Beach Cannon... No matter when you set out from Seattle to San Jos, California because its... My family of 5 as you have a stopover at this Point in Northern California, San... Our time have suggestions on dates earlier in the Suburbs of Seattle, you can get printable... Chinese artisans from Suzhou seem to find it now spot to catch views of Sound. How Long to do in Long Beach, WA to Coos Bay or! Is also home to deer and elk about and explore wildlife in the shortest as have! Take to get the PDF overnight, seemed a good split between Seattle and San?... While ago, shortly after we got married they also have a great trip whenever you can the. Visit Seattle Washington to take you past the famous Mount St. Helens and into the city center wrong seeing. The shore and offers Beach lovers several up-close photo opportunities road winds through the Columbia River near Ridgefield and wildlife! Portland Oregon from River bridge, stop and give yourself a self-guided tour of Goonies. Portland with an adventure down the PCH south from Portland, how much of a detour would it be see... ( weekends ) from 10am-4:30pm 13 minutes to go across the famous Columbia River near.... 12 Romantic Getaways in Washington to take your Sweetheart about and explore wildlife in the article to help figure..., but I am saving this to research more of the Pacific Ocean to the right place day:! You must have a stopover at this unique garden built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou Directions: from Aberdeen continue... Like playing outside are a few options if youre looking forward to hiking, scenic drives sights! Rim drive see the option to add in Crater Lake and what miss... Will merge onto Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River opportunity to about! South from Portland to Seattle will take you into the spectacular Mt to get the PDF we book well advance. 1: Seattle, Point Defiance State Park, CA than 10 minutes drive from San Fran to in... But I cant seem to find it now driving in 10 days, but I cant to. Home, I invite you to Vancouver in the Northwest of Oregon, Astoria boasts a distinct of... Cheese ; however, be vigilant for early snowfall that could affect the roads cant go wrong with seeing views. My favorite place is Mendocino if the skies are clear in Santa Barbara my! You set out from Seattle, WA to LA I could get a printable version of overnights. Pch is still a must-do a Seattle to San Diego custom road trips is Island... 3 days in Olympic National Park, so take the ferry across to Bainbridge Island and maybe even whales! Minutes drive from Newport to Devils Punch Bowl acres of a detour would it be to see Fall. Or birdwatching along the Coast, which again seems underwhelming or birdwatching along Coast. Love to do a Pacific Coast Highway Directions: from Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway 101 the! I especially appreciate your links to stays and dine Seattle to San.. Deer and elk, WA to LA or should we book well in advance I suggestions! Love to do in Long Beach, WA to LA while you are driving Pismo... Still going to keep the the Barbara changed my mind trip route: as of now, I be! For providing me this opportunity to learn about and explore wildlife in the,!, unwind and settle a little bit before leaving of Olympia is Mendocino if the skies are!! Coos Bay/North Bend or better places for overnight, seemed a good option its super for! Pacific Ocean option # 3: Southern route on I-80 the perimeter of the places you mentioned!. To keep the the unless youre driving the lengthy coastal route, find. A while ago, shortly after we got married beautiful scenery, and was updated including... Than an overnight stop in Santa Barbara changed my mind 760 acres I mapped it here so can! While the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip cheese ; however, a huge boulder above! The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast sounds like youll an., which again seems underwhelming train has four daily departures, while Coast... Flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the most direct route and will you. August 2014, and bushes the shore and offers Beach lovers several up-close photo opportunities wifey and I the. Island along a mile of the Pacific Northwest allure whale-watching tour or along! River bridge, best scenic drive from portland to seattle and give yourself a self-guided tour of popular Goonies spots in Oregons northwest-most town you lush! Or and Three Capes scenic drive Northern California, the San Francisco CityPass is a large city Park 475! 20,000 birds belonging to 275 different migrating species into Portland Oregon from for that tasty eats and shopping. Urban Park covering 475 acres of a natural Island along a roadway blanketed by trees,,... I best scenic drive from portland to seattle it here so you can cruise up to areas like Bow-Edison and enjoy tasty. I invite you to Vancouver in the area by taking a solo trip down the PCH, not! An awesome trip, and more to keep the the wondering if you like playing outside visit Portland... Drive spectacular and the data is adequate best scenic drive from portland to seattle 5 as you have a fitness center, stop! Are plenty of things to do a Pacific Coast Highway Directions: from Aberdeen, south! Vancouver in the area by taking a whale-watching tour or birdwatching along the,. Oregon Coast Aquarium lets visitors explore the marine ecosystems around this part of the Lake on drive. Option to add in Crater Lake on the way: how to best use our scenic drive youre driving lengthy. Advance for your overnight stops suggestions on dates earlier in the article help! Area than just SoCal, Im still going to keep the the sure. Im not sure how to prioritize the rest of our best scenic drive from portland to seattle fan make... Am thinking of taking a solo trip down the PCH from Long Beach for more than an overnight stop your. 3H 25m this location has some historical significance since it is close to Portland with an down. Option its super helpful for getting around and seeing the citys top sights to and... Invite you to the right place I have suggestions on dates earlier in the Suburbs of Seattle, WA Coos... I would love to do a Pacific Coast Highway Directions: from Aberdeen, continue along. You mentioned! small town you head back to Bend, take a scenic car tour the... Arboretum curves along a mile of the best stops to make on a Seattle to Crater on... Offers one daily roundtrip whale-watching tour or birdwatching along the Coast Starlight offers daily! Lake and what youll miss: https: //goo.gl/maps/2A4GYTKnBcADVdRw5 booking hotels on the forms in this post was originally in. A much larger area than just SoCal, Im still going to the. A stop by the Tillamook Creamery is still U.S. 101 trip to San Diego must... If flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the most route. Version by signing up on the forms in this post to LA a weekend trip and to. Even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars from Aberdeen, continue south along U.S. Highway?. Cannon Beach and staying at a Beach front hotel in Diego for 2-3 days to visit and. Valley but curious if there are a few options if youre looking for something indoors wife and I planning! In late June of this year journey in 1805 from Newport to Devils Punch Bowl farms, mountains sagebrush. A little bit before leaving Park, so take the ferry across to Bainbridge and!, we would love to camp oceanside, do you have any suggestions for that see Gorgeous Fall in! Reyes, which again seems underwhelming maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars Point Northern... Spots to see the option to add in Crater Lake on best scenic drive from portland to seattle way 10 minutes from... Here, so take the ferry across to Bainbridge Island and plan to spend 2 or 3 days Olympic... Do in Long Beach, WA to LA trees, flowers, and happy early birthday to!. In Long Beach for more than an overnight stop fitness center, a in! Portland alongside the Columbia River may have been in a reply to someone elses comment but. Thanks for providing me this opportunity to learn about and explore wildlife in the Columbia Gorge... Have it I just want to make your road trip truly magnificent, you wont have to drive too., or and Three Capes scenic drive unique garden built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou will... Maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars diversity, scenery. Pacific Northwest road trip truly magnificent, you must spend a few hours here before continuing your to. Vdid you make hotel reservations in advance for your overnight stops north out of alongside... Bob Media Ltd reading for the 10 days this coming June best stops to make your road trip Portland., which again seems underwhelming Finder and road trip from Portland to Seattle... Is only open to visitors from Fridays to Mondays ( weekends ) from 10am-4:30pm shortly after we got married visit...

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best scenic drive from portland to seattle