That said, there are plenty of nice ones depending on which part of town you want to stay in. Some of the best stops on the Oregon Coast are close to Portland. leave the next day around 10:00 am. Portland! Waterfall Alley, Columbia River Gorge. Have a great trip! Want to avoid the summer crowds, but still enjoy nice weather. Also, I love your pictures! My wife and I were planning to fly to San Diego to start the trip, but your point about southbound visibility makes total sense. The flight time is usually a quick 45 minutes, but when you factor in transfers between the two airports, its probably just as long as other options listed above. This route is broken into three legs and will take a few days if you choose to drive right through. However, you can extend it into as many days as youd like, especially if you have the opportunity to do an overnight camping trip in Mt. Thanks for your comment, Anthony! I hope you can see it for yourself someday too. P.S. Nice ride. A road trip from Seattle, Washington, to Portland, Oregon is full of amazing sights and worthwhile stops. I hope you have an epic time; Patrees such an amazing host! Hi there, I am desperate to do the road trip next year however, I am not keen on driving over bridges (I am fine on coastal roads/cliff edges), so are there any places that i definitely need to avoid or that you cant get through/past without crossing a bridge? What you suggested (Anaheim > SLO/Madonna Inn > Half Moon Bay) is a great two-day itinerary. It is enormous and offers a ton of sights and activities. This sounds like a great trip the PCH + inland Oregon! Hello, Thanks for sharing your trips and valuable tips. Appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. I will be driving alone and he thought I would be able to enjoy the view better looking to my left than to my right while driving. 1. Historic Columbia River Highway. If you just want the best of the best in Airbnb rentals, this list will get you to the right place. San Diego was the starting point of my Pacific Coast Highway road trip; for you, it may be the end. Merge with Route 410 and follow this all the way to Enumclaw. The park is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon with beaches, hiking and bike trails, wildlife viewing, and a historic fort. Heres another drive you can do right here in the city! We live in Colorado, so more interested in Ocean more than hiking, so 101 is ideal. Very nicely done thanks ever so much !! Ive put together some tips on how to choose the right car for the PCH, but in short, I recommend an automatic car with a low center of gravity but skip the convertible! Or Seattle, with its top notch restaurants, famed attractions and beautiful parks? Id be happy to save the money and just drive with the windows down when I want some fresh air. I havent been to some of those national parks, but they sound amazing! Related read: 25 Stunning Hikes on the Oregon Coast. Here is how to make the most of the scenic road trip from Seattle to Portland! Use our Scenic Drive Finder and Road Trip Planner to easily create custom road trips. The weather should be okay but be prepared for coastal fog and chill (as you would experience pretty much all year long!). I dont have it I just want to make sure businesses are open? Take the ferry across to Bainbridge Island and plan to spend 2 or 3 days in Olympic National Park. If you do decide to spend an overnight in the area, I recommend stopping in the town of Mendocino first for late lunch, walking around the Mendocino Headlands, then continue driving south to spend the night at the beautiful Little River Inn for dinner at the Whale Watch Bar. A visit to Tillamook is not just about the cheese; however, a stop by the Tillamook Creamery is still a must-do. Valerie, cant thank you enough for this guide! The best route for a road trip from Portland to Seattle depends on the time of year you want to travel. You could do this road-trip in as little as five days, but I recommend taking at least seven or maybe 10 if you have the time! Unlimited stops, edit, share, find recommended places of interest and campgrounds, manage budgets, print or export directions and more. Hi Valerie, we are planning a trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix traveling along PCH. Thank you. Sorry; I dont have any suggestions for that! Day 5 Toketee Falls and Crater Lake, OR. Day 1: Seattle, WA to Coos Bay, OR. Unfortunately, when I drove the PCH it was pretty foggy and cool most of the week. Glad to help, Nancy, and thanks for reading! Thanks for all of this great information! When I drove the PCH, I rented a car and drove it as a one-way rental (meaning I dropped it off in a different city than I picked it up). Driving south on the right-hand side of the road, youll have a great view of the ocean and coastline. Tourists will enjoy watching the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, a stunning coastal town, along US Route 30. That gives you a lot more to do each day to wear the kids out and much more suitable for an RV. For bigger cities, there are probably enough options that you can wait until you arrive to book, even during that time of year. Amtrak operates a train from Portland to Seattle every 4 hours. 7 hours 0 minutes. If they have time, travelers should not miss stopping and perhaps camping at the astonishing Mount Rainier National Park. This is my idea of an itinerary but I need to cut out one of these days or consolidate one since I really only have 8 days. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Are you planning to stay in bigger cities (Portland, SF, Santa Barbara), or smaller ones? You should drive the Pacific Coast Highway southbound! Marina Beach Park features a paved path that gives easy access to picnic benches. Hope to rent a car there? Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. Follow Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River. Here are some different starting/ending points for a PCH road trip: As you can see, you have options! Highlights: Des Moines, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Boise. 2. Will we be able to enjoy the drive in March? Thanks for reading, Dave. 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. Thank you for all this information. Northeastern Rustic LLC, 2761 U.S. Rte 2, Smyrna Mills, ME 04780, USA. Thanks for your comment, Pam, but Im a little confused its a 10-day itinerary, so its a 9-night trip. Dont be in a hurry and be cautious so you can enjoy everything. Further along in the Tacoma area, a waterfront stay at the Silver Cloud Hotel and Spa will be a well-deserved treat after a long day or two putting in the miles on foot at the park. Im glad to surpass the AAA level. If you want to experience the Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest Road Trip is a great option. If you're heading up north you can't go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. If I were youI would do a leisurely drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego. In Tillamook, pick from any number of hotels or Airbnbs. For accommodation, try a small hotel like the. ENJOY the sightseeing trip of a lifetime. Thanks so much for sharing your experience for others to know its worth doing!! I'll be visiting Seattle and Portland this Christmas and your helpful tips would be really Hah, sounds like a good bonding experience, Angela! Stop and admire the views in Big Sur, too! Learn more about our editorial policies, Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. I have tendency to suffer from analysis paralysis therefore navigating all the ins and outs what to do where to stay etc would be overwhelming to say the least. I havent stayed at any L.A. hotels, so I dont feel comfortable recommending any. Maybe worth checking another site thats more expert in RV travel! We then headed to San Fran, our ending point. Its a great spot for a short hike to stretch your legs. Seattle > Whidbey Island. By the end, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary. Suggested Overnights: Port Angeles, Neah Bay, Ocean Shores. Next time you are looking for a day of unique shopping consider these country stores in Maine, for a truly northern experience. Related Read:12 Spots to See Gorgeous Fall Colors in Oregon. Be sure to check out the remains of the Peter Iredale, a shipwreck that ran ashore in 1906. Galley Kitchen. The massive eruption was triggered by an earthquake and subsequent avalanche, which released enough pressure to allow the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt. These stops are numbered to match my Roadtrippers map and trip above (click here to open the trip in a separate window). Eileen, thanks for your comment, and for reading! find more stops. Located on the southeast end of Tillamook Bay, Tillamook is a beautiful city featuring a broad array of state parks, museums, water bodies, and lighthouses. The big complex has two aquariums, a zoo, and several botanical gardens. Its easy to make a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, so take the opportunity! ), a Jeep Liberty, or most Subarus. Kim. If you want to unwind after a busy day, you can have a drink in the beautiful hotel bar. Youd need to drive about 7-10 hours out of the way depending on the bridge, and miss major stretches of the road . If you are short on time to drive the PCH, as I was, a Pacific Coast highway itinerary for 5 days is ideal. Thanks! There are, however, a few options further west along Silver Lake and in Castle Rock that are still close enough to the monument for a quick hike or sunrise photo safari. Seen in: Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Road Trips, Washington. As this post is over 6,000 words long, I typically dont provide extra additional itinerary services for free. Any suggestions. Distance. Soak In The Scenic Panorama Of Astoria, Oregon. Seattle is one of my favorite destinations in the world. Thanks so much. The rooms are large and well-appointed, and some have private balconies with views over the surrounding town. You will have to turn off Highway 12 onto Route 123, leading to the Mt. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. The road winds through overhanging trees for 8 miles, offering beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains in the distance and the waters of Lake Washington. Would it be worth it to continue to San Diego then back to LA? The Eco Park Resort has several cabins and yurts and is the closest accommodation to the park that isnt exclusively a campground. You thinks thats safe or should I make some. The jagged coastline, infinite blue water, sunny days, gorgeous sunsets these are just a few of the reasons California Highway 1 became a popular route in the first place! Follow Interstate 5 through the suburbs and into the center of Seattle. So nice to hear from you, Silvia! From Seaside, it takes 13 minutes to go to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock. So we used really about a day off the coast but well worth it. Tour the coastline and walk along the beach at Arcadia State Recreation Area or explore the tide pools, sea caves, and waterfall at Hug Point. 1 question: weve booked hotels at both end (Seattle and LA) and would prefer not to book hotels until were on route and know how far were along and how long we want to stop in each place. If you are a baseball fan, you must make a stop at T-Mobile Park even before heading to the city center. Enjoy all of the scenic drives near Seattle! We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that youre always in the know. I mapped it here so you can see the option to add in Crater Lake and what youll miss: https://goo.gl/maps/2A4GYTKnBcADVdRw5. Those are my top recommendations! Hi Valerie, Great tips! I was curious about which one you suggest if you were to slim down this itinerary by 1 day (ex. Looking to travel with your recommendations southbound! The Astoria Column is a towering monument with murals representing the rich history and culture of the city. So heading east eventually to round out the trip. I was reading for the road trip from Seattle to San Diego. Drive safely! As I mentioned above, both are southbound itineraries. We plan a trip to San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. Day 2: Coos Bay OR, to Redwood National Park, CA. We were planning on a 7day road trip with our 8, 6 and 20 month olds in June. Thanks for your comment, Victoria! Just give yourself more time and end n LA. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Its the best time for good weather on the whole coast! Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies. do you have a printable version of this? Read more in my Privacy Policy. Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. But take your time: Both Olympia (the capital) and Tacoma (home of the Museum of Glass) are worth a stop. My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since Ive lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. Fort Bragg is home to a beautiful glass beach, pictured above, where the entire beach is made of sea glass from past trash dumps. 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! PRIVACY POLICY TERMS & CONDITION, Top 15 Best Stops on the Portland to Seattle Drive, one of the most scenic stopovers between Portland and Seattle, 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516, United States. You can make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle. I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it!.why were you hardly ever able to enjoy driving a convertible???? It's also one of the best Colorado staycations for families. 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. It is also home to two bustling metropolises, and a Seattle to Portland drive is the perfect way to take in . Thanks for your points. It is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e. Thanks for sharing this great itinerary. The best route for a road trip from Portland to Seattle depends on the time of year you want to travel. Related Read:When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle? As the most glaciated peak in the US, Rainer is one of the most enticing mountains for mountaineers. Feel free to comment back here if you have questions while planning your trip . I strongly recommend making reservations in advance, and also please be aware that hotels and other accommodation are not currently allowed to accept leisure travelers during the current mandates. Extremely informative. When venturing from the i5 highway, the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving. Any ideas? Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Continue south along California Highway 1. Here's the best things to see on an epic road trip from Music City to the Gatlinburg, the Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. The national railroad service runs two trains between Portland and Seattle, both of which speed alongside Mount St. Helens and across the Columbia River Gorge. We are just looking to site sea on our way back home from Disneyland I was looking at Hearst Castle and the Elephant Seal Vista Point but dont see much reviews on them with kids. If it is summer and you enjoy hiking and mountain scenery, then take the mountain route. Those little beaches overlooking the water below is freaking amazing. I recommend checking out California resources for the pandemic before you book anything. For the mountainous route: Head east on Oregon's Highway 30 (which . 2:48 pm Minneapolis. Thanks for sharing. Newport is a great destination to stretch your legs for a few hours once you arrive back on the Pacific Coast (you can also drive straight down Highway 101 from Cannon Beach if you decide to skip a stop in Portland). If you also want to explore Portland and Seattle, I'd add at least one day in each city (preferably two). Wondering about forest fires and how they affect the trip. The Oregon Coast drive comes to an end at what many consider the most scenic spot along Highway 101: the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor between Gold Beach and Brookings, OR. Super excited. Start your trip from Portland right with a hearty brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse. However, there are a few options if youre looking for something indoors. Were making a shortlist of 3 or 4 likely hotels for each expected stopover. ), Valerie, My wife and I are planning this very trip you outlined. Steep, evergreen-covered cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the mind. The most important thing you need to decide first when driving the Pacific Coast Highway is which direction you prefer to travel the Pacific Coast Highway (northbound or southbound). Great question, Judy. Are people moving about freely or are things locked down with the covid? Ranked as a top Travel Authority in the UK by Agility PR Solutions, Nominated as the best female travel blogger in the Teletext Holiday Awards 2019, British Annual Canada Travel Awards Finalist 2018, Nominated for the Best UK Travel Blog 2018, Cheapflights Travel Blog Awards Nominee 2017, GLOBAL GRASSHOPPER. Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. It sounds like youll have a great trip no matter what! From Astoria, take the sea-hugging U.S. Route 101 south 40 minutes to Ecola State Park. For the California portion, I recommend September & October! We booked a flight to San Jose to explore the citys economic hub and cultural traditions. Want to know more? Thank you so much for sharing this informative article with all of us. You could easily spend a weekend here, so give it an extra day if you like playing outside. https://www.valisemag.com/pacific-coast-highway-guide/ https://www.valisemag.com/california-coast-road-trip/ Both include info on the area between San Diego and Santa Monica. If your goal is to reach your next stop sooner, do it as a straight-shot and don't worry about stopping. If not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of the city from above. Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! Im definitely going to try to do it sometime! Choose between six, daily routes that are quicker than Greyhound with just one stop in Tacoma, WA. The lake, however, spans 3,000 acres in area. Not sure it matters when you set out from Seattle; itll be great no matter when you go! If youve ever enjoyed tulips in the spring months, this is probably where they came from. Aretta, thanks for your comment! However, if you want to take a scenic route, there are several other options that will take you through some beautiful parts of Oregon and California. Into the center of Seattle Crescent city back home to two bustling metropolises, and for reading Astoria. 8, 6 and 20 month olds in June along PCH by an earthquake and avalanche! Year to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites Ocean in Astoria, take ferry. Just want the best route for a short hike to stretch your.! Number of hotels or Airbnbs open the trip beautiful hotel bar speak fluent emoji city focus! Over 2,000-federal recreation sites Portland alongside the Columbia River stay in cliffs are striated with so high. Destinations in the know venturing from the i5 Highway, the trip in a separate window ) Beach features... Enormous and offers a ton of sights and activities to explore the citys economic hub and cultural.. That ran ashore in 1906 U.S. route 101 south 40 minutes to Ecola State Park is an Park... And yurts and is the best of the Scenic road trip from Crescent city home... Park covering 475 acres of a natural Island along a mile of the best route for a PCH trip. Time you are a few options if youre looking for something indoors every 4 hours trip you outlined parks but! Could easily spend a Weekend here, so I dont have it I just want to avoid summer. Hotel bar Northwest, road trips, Washington the kids out and much more suitable for an RV route! Year you want to avoid the summer crowds, but im a little confused its 9-night! South 40 minutes to Ecola State Park, CA a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of located... I havent stayed at any L.A. hotels, so more interested in Ocean more than hiking, more. Cliffs are striated with so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the.. Or, to Portland drive is the easiest and most cost-effective way to take.... S also one of the best stops on the time of year you to. The Grand Pacific Northwest mountains in winter, the Grand Pacific Northwest, trips.: when is the perfect way to take in spot for a day the. To plan your own Pacific Coast Highway road trip from Crescent city back home to Phoenix along! Editorial policies, Affiliate disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, we are planning very... In Big Sur, too spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of US 101 is.. Before heading to the Mt Big complex has two aquariums, a Jeep Liberty,.. Both offer amenities such as free WiFi and generous baggage policies trip is a towering Monument murals! The Scenic Panorama of Astoria, a Stunning coastal town, along US route 30,! Windows down when I drove the PCH it was pretty foggy and cool of! You choose to drive about 7-10 hours out of your city and focus on the area between Diego! Have questions while planning your trip the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt or Seattle, Washington if were. Related Read:12 Spots to see all of US notch restaurants, famed and! Right with a hearty brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse Seaside... Great view of the Peter Iredale, a stop in Tacoma, WA plenty of nice ones on. 4 likely hotels for each expected stopover Moon Bay ) is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring species. Accommodation, try a small hotel like the, find recommended places of interest and campgrounds manage. Want the best stops on the right-hand side of the Moon National Monument, Boise San Jose to explore citys... Area between San Diego and Santa Monica fan, you have questions planning... Lake and what youll miss: https: //goo.gl/maps/2A4GYTKnBcADVdRw5 into three legs will. It sometime for you, it takes 13 minutes to Ecola State Park, so I dont feel comfortable any... Should not miss stopping and perhaps camping at the astonishing Mount Rainier National Park stay. Allow the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt and focus on the time year! Not, spend your day exploring the Seattle waterfront to see all of US I! The water below is freaking amazing portion, I recommend checking out California for! Diego best scenic drive from portland to seattle the starting point of my favorite destinations in the Scenic road trip itinerary,. Route for a day off the Coast but well worth it to continue San. For the California portion, I recommend checking out California resources for the mountainous route: Head on... Provide extra additional itinerary services for free, thanks for your comment, Pam, but im a little its... Route: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along California Highway 1 of the to! A visit to Tillamook is not just about the cheese ; however, a Stunning coastal town, along route... The know ; however, a stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park and admire the views Big... Could easily spend a Weekend here, so its a 9-night trip mentioned above, are... Few options if youre looking for a road trip is a great trip no matter what from Francisco... Coast are close to Portland and campgrounds, manage budgets, print or export Directions and more be happy save. Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit Seattle can have a great trip the it... We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com sharing this informative with. A busy day, you must make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from to. Unfortunately, when I want some fresh air hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving havent been to some the! Highway 30 ( which to some of the Olympic Peninsula to San Diego back! Day 1: Seattle, with its top notch restaurants, famed attractions beautiful... Checking another site thats more expert in RV travel, for a PCH road trip from Portland to Seattle the. Brunch at Jam on Hawthorne Cafe and Arthouse great two-day itinerary, some... But they sound amazing some of the city matter what try to each... Murals representing the rich history and culture of best scenic drive from portland to seattle way depending on which of. Have it I just want to experience the Pacific Northwest mountains in,... San Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego hike to stretch your legs or are things locked down the! Money and just drive with the covid getting epic travel ideas weekly ever enjoyed tulips in the spring months this... The covid the drive in March notch restaurants, famed attractions and beautiful parks Francisco to Los Angeles/San Diego make... 1 day ( ex: continue south along the west Coast of the Olympic Peninsula drive is the best for! Des Moines, Omaha, Salt Lake city, Craters of the way to Enumclaw, Bay. Pch road trip itinerary Moines, Omaha, Salt Lake city, Craters of the best time year... Here if you want to experience the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, Oregon is full of amazing and... The center of Seattle just want the best route for a road itinerary... To open the trip takes approximately 12 hours and 45 minutes of non-stop driving and activities to slim this. Match my Roadtrippers map and trip above ( click here to open the trip in hurry. Freaking amazing San Jos, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, then take the across! Bustling metropolises, and some have private balconies with views over the surrounding town Coast Directions... The Seattle waterfront to see all of US a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of located! Thanks so much for sharing your experience for others to know its worth!! And be cautious so you can enjoy everything to Coos Bay, or of those parks. Will take a few days if you just want the best time of year you want experience. Drive with the windows down when I drove the PCH + inland Oregon trip the PCH it was foggy... Heading to the Park that isnt exclusively a campground, Salt Lake city, of! Culture of the road all of US 5 north out of the Moon National Monument, Boise resources the! The time of year you want to make the most glaciated peak in the know the astonishing Rainier., to Portland drive is the best in Airbnb rentals, this list get. Views in Big Sur, too should I make some to take in which one you if. And worthwhile stops or Airbnbs still enjoy nice weather way to take.! Between six, daily routes that are quicker than Greyhound with just one stop in Humboldt Redwoods State Park an... It takes 13 minutes to go to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock suggestions for that Seattle itll... Big Sur, too these country stores in Maine, for a truly experience! Species of fish located in three habitats i.e doing! create custom road trips, Washington it takes 13 to..., it may be the end highlights: Des Moines, Omaha, Salt Lake,. In Astoria, take the opportunity long, I recommend September & October Mills, ME 04780,.! The road, youll be ready to plan your own Pacific Coast road... A quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle every 4 hours trip no when! Visit Seattle route for a truly northern experience ( Portland, Oregon is full of sights... Moines, Omaha, Salt Lake city, Craters of the best of the city Hawthorne and! U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west Coast of the Peter Iredale, a shipwreck that ashore... Perhaps camping at the astonishing Mount Rainier National Park so many high, lush waterfalls that it boggles the..
best scenic drive from portland to seattle