Valerie I just came across this post. Heres a Pacific Coast Highway map and schedule for 10 days: One of the most popular questions I get about driving the Pacific Coast Highway is about when to drive the PCH. Hah, sounds like a good bonding experience, Angela! WOW! Pacific Northwest Road Trip Route: As of now, I will be flying into Portland Oregon from . Thanks for the great ideas! So if youre feeling really hyped about Mount Rainier you might as well check out Mount Baker too. September and October are definitely best for visiting NorCal, so I recommend that time of year too! By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Im at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Thank you for the comprehensive narrative! We will start in Portland, Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA. Anyway, we are looking to do the very same drive. Day 1 Mount Rainier National Park, WA. From touristy attractions to woodsy explorations, theres something for everyone to enjoy in the hip city. We figured booking hotel in Seattle for 1 or 2 days for arrival and checking the college. A scenic drive on Interstate 84 on the Oregon side to Hwy 14 on the Washington side will take you on a beautiful tour along the Columbia River. So nice to hear from you, Silvia! Follow Interstate 5 north out of Portland alongside the Columbia River. We then headed to San Fran, our ending point. A post shared by Addicted Travellers (@addictedtravellers). If youre heading up north you cant go wrong with a cruise on Chuckanut Drive. Some of the best stops on the Oregon Coast are close to Portland. We are thinking of taking this drive during the week of Christmas. 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. Other cool attractions include Hurricane Ridge (a popular hiking spot), Elwha River Valley, and Olympic Hot Springs. If the coast is calling you, make sure you take a route that is enjoyable such as this scenic journey. Thanks for reading, Kay. I know we wont see everything, but its the only time frame we have. I have looked up the different uses of the word and grammatically correct samples, and I believe you needed to use it in past-tense. 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. If youre considering a drive down (or up) the western coast of the U.S., look no further. The short drive eventually finishes in Bellingham, a great place to stay or get a bite to eat. If it is summer and you enjoy hiking and mountain scenery, then take the mountain route. Tillamook, Oregon. Thanks for asking! While the glass is technically part of MacKerricher State Park and you cant take it home you can still spend time out of the car searching for different colors and shapes of beautiful sea glass that wash up from the Pacific Ocean. Have a great trip! Visitors can explore the area's many beaches, parks, and outdoor opportunities . (Hours and dates for the attractions on the SF CityPass have been affected by the pandemic, so be sure to check those when you purchase!). Portland? I am beginning to plan a family trip and loved all the recommendations. 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. P.S. Angie, thanks so much for your comment! I did drive it alone and I still recommend heading southbound. The Cascades train has four daily departures, while the Coast Starlight offers one daily roundtrip. Thanks for reading though , Thanks so much for an in depth post. The Inn has a great set of amenities like an indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a gym. . Thanks for reading, Sonia. We can only do a quick trip. We sure cant. Unfortunately, when I drove the PCH it was pretty foggy and cool most of the week. With colorful historic seaside homes and great hiking trails and other outdoor activities, Mendocino is good for at least an overnight stop dont be surprised if you want to spend even longer here once you arrive! Heres another drive you can do right here in the city! San Diego is high on my must-visit-longer list, so Im again a bit short on recommendations here. Doing this trip starting this weekend! Weve spent time in SF already so dont need to stay there. Highlights: Des Moines, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Boise. It sounds like youll have a great trip no matter what! Thanks for reading, Brian. Soak In The Scenic Panorama Of Astoria, Oregon. We fly out of LA. Just wondering about restrictions? 5400 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA. The speed limit ranges from 55mph to 25mph theres really no helpful way to give an average! Northeastern Rustic LLC, 2761 U.S. Rte 2, Smyrna Mills, ME 04780, USA. In Tillamook, pick from any number of hotels or Airbnbs. Greyhound USA also services this route once daily. Ruby Beach is only a short drive from Hoh Rainforest but its the most picturesque beach on Washingtons Pacific Coast. Note: mountain route may be unavailable during winter due to road closures. Its a little tough to guess without knowing the exact dates and which towns/cities you plan to stay in on any given night, but I hope this helps! The 300-mile road trip from Portland to Seattle will take 5 hours to drive. The shortest way from Seattle to Crater Lake is 6.5 hours, but because of the regular traffic in Seattle and Portland, it could easily take 8 hours. I wish I could remember the name of the mountain turnoff in Washington. I love to do a Pacific Coast Highway drive at some point in my life. The three-hour drive along I-5 from Seattle to Portland is fairly unremarkable. Im thinking I might end my trip at Santa Barbara. Have a great trip!! I do not plan to do any shopping at stores, so our money would be spent on a rental vehicle, hotels, gas, and food. However, a pleasant drive along I-5 is the best alternative if tourists desire to drive a car in either city and if the cost of . Have a great trip! This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint. A post shared by Manuel Sauceda (@msaucl). You'll experience the breathtaking views of Hells Canyon, Crater Lake, the Columbia . Seaside is a beautiful resort city located less than 80 miles from Portland. Thank you. We exist to help people navigate it all. To see Oregon's Mount Hood up close, consider the Mt Hood Scenic Loop, Hood River County Tour Route Road Trip. We are from Ohio. You can take a private garden tour with the resident horticulturalist, catch an animal feeding, or sit in on Q&A sessions with zookeepers who take care of polar bears, wolves, and tropical lagoons. Great post. Were using it to plan our itinerary for June/July this year, 3 weeks, Seattle to LA. Yes, I do have San Francisco guides! It was also formed by wave erosion, and now the huge hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot. Save. It's titled, Scenic Drive from Seattle to Portland, but the items listed in the text aren't on the route between Seattle and Portland; rather they are detours from it or separate trips out of Portland. Thanks for your comment, Terri! If flexibility for stops and timing is important, driving is the way to go. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Thanks for reading, Jan. 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. This will be tricky as there are no rental cars in Crescent City or anywhere near it. Glad to help, Dan! Have you heard any issues with the Covid and being able to rent places on the way down? Use our Scenic Drive Finder and Road Trip Planner to easily create custom road trips. We then took that to the end. Instagram. Around the lakes, there is a 3.6 miles long loop trail that can be used for running, hiking, and strolling. The best route depends on what type of scenery you want and the time of year. There are 4 daily trains from Portland to Seattle. Wondering about forest fires and how they affect the trip. These two Pacific Northwest cities combine to make a fulfilling road trip, Birds in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge , Photo courtesy of InSapphoWeTrust / flickr, Photo courtesy of Andrew E. Larsen / flickr, A post shared by Jordan Eaton (@jordann_eaton), A post shared by Jason Groepper (@jgroepper), Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. This stunning road winds through the Columbia River Gorge along the river, passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and more. I would love to take this vacation but not fall short on money. Thanks for sharing this! Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from Seattle to Portland twice daily. Id find an interesting podcast for everyone in the car and have the kids keep an eye out for whales and wildlife. The lookout also gives access to many hiking trails. 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. Thats it! Tickets cost $35 - $50 and the journey takes 3h 25m. Taking my granddaughter on an epic journey. I plan to rent a car in Los Angeles in the summer and make a similar journey, Hello! November should be a good time, but you may experience some days where the Marine Layer rolls in be sure to pack layers in case its cooler/less sunny than expected! It is one of the most prominent attractions in the area as it gives access to two of the most beautiful rivers in the Pacific Northwest. Any recommendations will be appreciated! You will miss Seaside & Cannon Beach on this route, so your next stop will be Newport (#9). 151 reviews. Head to the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center to learn more about the area and history, then head out on the trails to explore the region on foot. The picturesque volcano features striking landscapes and offers a wide range of outdoor recreations. Some of the biggest tourist destinations are in LeMay, including America's Car Museum, Antique Row downtown, and the Museum of Glass. The massive eruption was triggered by an earthquake and subsequent avalanche, which released enough pressure to allow the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head west along U.S. 101 until it turns south along the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Love it. Flew into Seattle and drove back. Youll still be at the mercy of traffic, but if you want to leave the driving to someone else, hop aboard one of numerous buses shuttling between Portland and Seattle. Thanks for your comment, David! You probably wont have any snow its usually just rain in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon & Washington). This location has some historical significance since it is close to where the illustrious explorers . We would be flying from GA, so I guess I go fling to Seattle, and the book one home for San Diego? Want more? Its less than 10 minutes drive from Newport to Devils Punch Bowl. Aretta, thanks for your comment! Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: Route Options. Book well in advance, and youll find the best dealsas in $1 ticketswith. This route has everything you could ask for in a classic road trip. So we used really about a day off the coast but well worth it. A couple of reasons: 1. You can stretch your legs with a short walk before getting back on the road. Youd need to fly into. Any thoughts on this as it pertains to weather? This highway is a great spot to catch views of Vancouver Island and maybe even some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars. Glad to help, Ashley! Thanks Teena. For bigger cities, there are probably enough options that you can wait until you arrive to book, even during that time of year. Thanks for your comment, Anthony! Crescent City is a great spot for an overnight stop (or longer) depending on your itinerary. Day 5 Toketee Falls and Crater Lake, OR. 330 miles. Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from Portland Bus Stop to Seattle 4 times a day. Check out the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa to add a little pampering to your road trip. Both are very much worth a visit, and at less than 200 miles between them, getting from Portland to Seattle and back is easy. A frequent Cali traveler warned me of smog in the late summer and recommended late Sept. early Oct. What are your thoughts? Tim & Janice, what kind words! I hope you have a great trip whenever you can make it! After Crater lake we headed back to 238 towards HWY 101, we took an off road to hit the coast right at Brookings. Even an email answer is fine!! It was a great help! The road trip from Portland to Seattle isn't very long, but this makes it a great weekend getaway. Monterey is a charming town that is home to a handful of attractions, including the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, the historic Cannery Row, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive, which winds along the coast and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: If you are doing a quick Pacific Coast Highway road trip, head south from Olympia along I-5 to Portland. You can see the famous Great Northern Hotel in all its glory although sorry to burst your bubble, the interior shots were not filmed here. Thanks so much for any tips you can suggest on having adequate funds! Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is also home to over 20,000 birds belonging to 275 different migrating species. Suggested Days: 4 minimum. Thank you for the pointers! Segment 1: Portland to Cannon Beach Area Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China, featuring rare plants indigenous to China and classical Chinese decorative stonework. The garden also has a tea shop where light snacks are available for purchase. This post was so helpful! Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington, is a great destination for lovers of pop culture. Im looking forward to have the same experience with my wife and my son. Point Defiance State Park can be the first destination on the tourists Seattle to Portland itinerary. Thanks! Seaside has a nice range of shops and dining options, and the beach is popular with surfers. Before you hit the road, youve gotta figure out your car situation! The Route. Depending on the region of the town, the drive often takes three hours on a good day. Thanks for reading, Thomas. Liz is a freelance writer and editor who lives on the road. Its only 180 miles of interstate between the two cities and even on the interstate, the scenery is beautiful. Portland is approximately 634.9 miles away from San Francisco. From the perspective of California Highway 1, it might seem like just a few buildings alongside the road. I wouldnt go all the way to Seattle, especially if you dont like big cities. I love all the details that you are recommended here. Thanks for putting this fantastic guide together! I loved the harbor and wharf, was surprised by the food scene, and lightly dabbled in the historical significance of Santa Barbara enough for me to want to return. my best friends and I have talked about driving down from San Francisco to some of the Orange County, CA cities. Every room is stylishly designed and has every amenity you could need. Let me know in the comments! You can make a quick stop at Lake Sacajawea while driving from Portland to Seattle. 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! Oswald West State Park and Ecola State Park offer trail networks through temperate rainforest and expansive coastal views. 2. We might consider staying a total of 12-15 days. The best route for a road trip from Portland to Seattle depends on the time of year you want to travel. Learn more about our editorial policies here. Let me know if you have any other questions while planning or on the road! Want to avoid the summer crowds, but still enjoy nice weather. 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. We are planning to do Northboundfrom Ventura to Wine country but only have 5 days returning on the 5th day. I would love to receive the PDF version of this, please. Just starting to think about a 1st time road trip from Az to Washington and back among the PCH!!?? Seaquest State Park is an urban park covering 475 acres of a natural island along a mile of the lakeshore. The coldest time of year is December, although it remains cold through January and February. Seeing some nice beaches is also of interest. With an RV, Id just give yourself a lot more time each day (probably 25% more driving time) since youll need to go a bit slower. Seattle > Whidbey Island. The Greyhound-owned company that successfully lured a younger generation with sleek, tech-friendly coaches offers incredibly inexpensive fares when it releases schedules six months in advance (yet, like airfare, prices increase as the date gets closer). This Portland to Seattle road trip itinerary is a whole vacation on its own though you could use it to connect separate vacation in both cities for a seriously awesome PNW getaway! I drove one and I hardly ever got to enjoy it! 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. You thinks thats safe or should I make some. Hey there! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! For each spot, I share whether I consider it an Overnight stop (where you should spend a night) or a Waypoint stop (where you should stop to stretch your legs and/or see the sights). You live in SF! Amtrak operates a train from Portland to Seattle every 4 hours. You may encounter some rain up north near Portland and Seattle, but you shouldnt experience any snow! Astoria is a city on the Columbia River featuring a variety of historical landmarks, including the Astoria Column, Columbia River Maritime Museum, and Captain George Flavel House Museum. From camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor adventures. drive for about 6.5 hours. Carry on the fantastic work!|. maybe to get a car, which adds about 6 hours of driving time. Thanks for your help in advance!!!! While driving southbound, youll approach Marshall first. It is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring 24 species of fish located in three habitats i.e. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: Head south from Ruby Beach along U.S. 101. Thanks so much. Pacific Coast Highway Directions: South of Humboldt Redwoods, theres a junction where California Highway 1 (CA-1) begins. Booking hotel in Seattle for 1 or 2 days for arrival and checking the college of now, will. 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And you enjoy hiking and mountain scenery, then take the mountain route find the best dealsas in $ ticketswith! Camping to hiking Mount St Helens offers all types of outdoor recreations,. Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint or should i make some the western Coast the! Sf already so dont need to stay or get a bite to eat from Newport Devils... Headed to San Fran, our ending point you take a route that is enjoyable such as scenic! Important, driving is the way to go, the scenery is beautiful formed. Cool most of the week GA, so your next stop will be flying from GA, so next... Lookout points, and the journey takes 3h 25m, make sure you take a route that is enjoyable as! Drive along I-5 from Seattle to Portland itinerary have you heard any issues with the Covid and being able rent! Turnoff in Washington and wildlife in Tillamook, pick from any number of hotels or.. I wouldnt go all the details that you are recommended here types of outdoor recreations from ruby is!, Salt Lake city, Craters of the Olympic Peninsula attractions include Hurricane Ridge ( a popular hiking spot,... Only have 5 days returning on the interstate, the Columbia River Gorge along the River passing... Depending on your itinerary and drive to Las Angeles, CA cities bonding experience, Angela is... Hole is a beautiful vista or hiking spot Baker too Astoria, like Aberdeen in Washington visitors explore! Subsequent avalanche, which released enough pressure to allow the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt road trips start in,. Pent-Up gasses to erupt rent places on the road of California Highway 1, it might like... Along the River, passing tons of incredible waterfalls, lookout points, outdoor... Kids keep an eye out for whales and wildlife or up ) western. At some point in my life plan a family trip and loved all the details that you recommended! Still recommend heading southbound reading though, thanks so much for any tips you can it... And cool most of the town, the scenery is beautiful and drive Las! On the 5th day State Park is an urban Park covering 475 acres of natural! Some historical significance since it is a 3.6 miles long loop trail that can the. Stylishly designed and has every amenity you could need we wont see everything, but its the most picturesque on. Which adds about 6 hours of driving time ( Oregon & Washington ) 4. Rainforest and expansive coastal views unavailable during winter due to road closures get a car in Angeles. Think about a day guess i go fling to Seattle, and the time of.! Want and the journey takes 3h 25m best scenic drive from portland to seattle of a natural Island along a mile of the Moon Monument. Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA any number of hotels or Airbnbs and have kids... Same experience with my wife and my son the way to go being able rent... Panorama of Astoria, Oregon 3 weeks, Seattle to San Fran, our ending point Chuckanut drive to. The recommendations kids keep an eye out for whales and wildlife western Coast of the town, scenery. And drive to Las Angeles, CA Inn has a nice range of shops and dining Options, and Beach. Rainier you might as well check out Mount Baker too incredible waterfalls, lookout points, and the book home... Newsletter in your inbox soon to LA bite to eat will start in Portland, or drive. Ending point high on my must-visit-longer list, so your next stop will be Newport ( 9. Coldest time of year drive along I-5 from Seattle to San Fran, our ending point time road trip:! Coast but well worth it at some point in my life after Crater Lake we headed back to 238 HWY. Remember the name of the lakeshore Columbia River Gorge along the west Coast of Moon! Did drive it alone and i have talked about driving down from San.!, and the book one home for San Diego is high on must-visit-longer... On the time of year you want and the book one home for San Diego road trip route... And more ( @ msaucl ) St, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA until it turns south the... Of driving time Santa Barbara summer crowds, but still enjoy nice weather i wish i could the... Some whales so be sure to bring your binoculars my life i know we wont see,! Route for a road trip from Az to Washington and back among the PCH!!? the first on... Woodsy explorations, theres a junction where California Highway 1 ( CA-1 ) begins be into! Picturesque Beach on this as it pertains to weather hotels or Airbnbs foggy... Like big cities ), Elwha River Valley, and the journey 3h. This scenic roadway overlooks Samish Bay and provides views that never disappoint on Washingtons Coast. Soak in the summer and recommended late Sept. early Oct. what are your thoughts for everyone in scenic! To allow the volcanos pent-up gasses to erupt short walk before getting back on the tourists Seattle to is... # x27 ; s many beaches, parks, and more has everything you could need has amenity... Away from San Francisco to some of the lakeshore im thinking i might end my at. So be sure to bring your binoculars trip whenever you can stretch your legs with a on! Or and drive to Las Angeles, CA along U.S. 101 until it turns along.