Embarking on a Washington road trip offers an unforgettable adventure through diverse landscapes, charming towns, and stunning natural wonders. This ultimate Washington state road trip itinerary highlights the best of the Pacific Northwest, from bustling cities to serene national parks, ensuring you experience the magic of this beautiful state.
Read more: A Wonderful Washington Road Trip ItineraryDisclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.Travels of Sarah Fay is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you.
Seattle: The Emerald City
Kick off your Washington road trip in Seattle, a vibrant city brimming with world-class coffee, eclectic cuisine, and iconic landmarks. Known as the Emerald City, Seattle is a must-visit destination and the perfect starting point for exploring Washington.
I have an article on my blog on the largest city, Seattle, that will go into more detail on this city with its mixture of great coffee stops, a great plethora of cuisine, and the magnificent vibes of the Pacific Northwest. I hope this Road Trip Itinerary article helps you plan a great Washington State Road Trip. It is an amazing place to travel for a week or two depending on your schedule. And, it is a coffee-loving state with many free-standing, drive-up coffee stops to give you energy as you travel through this amazing state.
Where to stay and what to do in Seattle?
While I have been to Seattle before, this time I stayed at The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel Seattle – Official Website. I loved staying here with my room looking out toward the waterfront of Seattle and it’s so easy to get to places like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden & Glass, and so much more. Visit Seattle
Those are some highlights of my trip this time, but now I must tell you more about the next stops on my Road Trip through Washington. I know I shall return again to Seattle, for instance, I need to get to the Seattle Japanese Garden and so much more on my next trip to the Emerald City. But let me grab one more latte at Storyville Coffee at Pike Place before hitting the road to my first stop, Snoqualmie Falls.
Snoqualmie Falls
Just 39 miles from Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder and a perfect stop on any road trip through Washington state. This 270-foot waterfall draws over 1.5 million visitors annually. Stroll the scenic paths, explore the cliffside observation areas, and visit the Hydroelectric Museum to learn about the falls’ energy history.
Nearby, the elegant Salish Lodge & Spa offers a cozy spot for a quick refreshment. Whether you’re here for the views or the history, Snoqualmie Falls is a must-see before heading west.
Poulsbo: The Nordic Charm of Washington
Next, venture to Poulsbo, a charming town on the shores of Puget Sound. Known as “Little Norway,” Poulsbo boasts Norwegian-inspired architecture, cozy bakeries, and a vibrant waterfront. Stroll along Front Street, savor ice cream from Island Coo, and enjoy the town’s picturesque marinas. This Nordic-themed town is located on a sheltered arm of Puget Sound and was settled by Norwegian and Scandinavian fishermen who settled here in the late 1880s and became a town in 1907. Many came here since it reminded them of their homeland and many were fishermen. Until WWII the primary language was Norwegian, when more military units were located here during the war and many started to speak English. In 1975, Norway’s King even visited the town.
If you go to the main street, you’ll see the quaint Norwegian architecture with its bakeries, ice cream shops, etc. It’s a cute place on the waterfront with 3 marinas and a population of about 12k folks.
Where to stay in Poulsbo, Washington?
I stayed at the GuestHouse Poulsbo, a comfortable spot with a complimentary breakfast. While here, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Scandinavian village—a delightful highlight of any Washington state road trip.Poulsbo is a little over an hour’s drive from Seattle but well worth the visit (you can go by ferry to get to Poulsbo too). I loved visiting the original Norway, but this is a great place to stop to get the country’s vibe. VISIT Poulsbo
Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park
No road trip in Washington state is complete without exploring the vast Olympic Peninsula. Spanning millions of acres, Olympic National Park offers diverse landscapes, from snow-capped peaks to temperate rainforests and rugged coastline.Our next few stops were in the magnificent and massive Olympic peninsula and the amazing national park established as the 22nd national park in 1938. Be prepared with maps or download them ahead of time, since you may not always have the internet. The park is very diverse from its snow-capped mountains, to the rainforest, to the coast. Be prepared for some rain and bring layers of clothes since the temperature and precipitation vary.
Hoh Rain Forest
One of the first places, and most unique, is the Hoh Rain Forest which is located along the Hoh River that flows down from Mount Olympus toward the Pacific Ocean. Notably, you pronounce the name like “hoe”. It was quite a ride and was a bit gray and rainy but I continued down the long road. No one was there, but as I drove along the road that follows the river I saw all these brown dots and then couldn’t believe my eyes, it looked like 100 or more elk. It was truly unique. After watching them for a few more minutes, I continued to the parking area to try to walk some of the trails. These rainforests are quite thick and have moss-covered branches that help block the rainy mist. Then I found a few walkways to go around.
Trails in Hoh Rain Forest
If you are limited in time there are two quick trails you can take to see more of the rainforest. They are the Hall of Mosses(.8 miles) and the Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles). For the more adventurous, you can take the 18.5-mile Hoh River Trail (you may get a view of Mt. Olympus on this trail. I got to the park later in the day, so I primarily did the first two shorter trails. While they have campsites here, I wanted to see the Tree of Life on the beach, so I started heading more toward the coast.
Kalaloch Beaches
There is a coastal side of the park that covers over 70 miles of the Washington coastline. I did go to the famous Tree of Life (aka Tree Root Cave), which is on the Kalaloch Beaches near the Kalaloch Campground, where I stayed the night. It was amazing to see the tree that had split in half, with its roots hanging in the air; quite an impressive sight. It was a wet night for camping, but it’s great you travel with a rooftop camper since there weren’t many hotels where I was.
The next morning, I stopped nearby to see the historic Kalaloch Lodge built in 1953 in the famous Olympic National Park. The lodge is right on the Pacific Coast driftwood-lined beaches. It also has a restaurant with great views and a store in case you need to get a bite to eat.
Lake Quinault
After this, I went up Highway 101 north to Lake Quinault to visit the town of Quinault. Here you see the beautiful lake carved out by glaciers long ago. They have a small downtown and the cutest little cottages, with probably one of the smallest post offices next to the general store. But what I loved best was the Lake Quinault Lodge. Lake Quinault Lodge (U.S. National Park Service) was built almost 100 years ago in 1926. I loved the rustic, nostalgic lodge and maybe I will get to stay here if I come back this way one day. It’s picturesque, overlooking the lake, and they have a farm-to-table restaurant. The rainforest is nearby and you have many beautiful trees around the lake. While in Quinault you can take a short hike to see one of the largest Sitka Spruce tree.
Forks: Twilight Fans Must Visit!
I then continued on US Highway 101 that cuts through the famous town of Forks, Washington! (you know, for us Twilight Saga @twilight fans). Next September (2025) they are having The Festival, 20 years since Twilight came out. Riding through the Olympic Peninsula makes you think of many parts of the saga. While in Forks, you can see the home where Bella lived, a replica of the truck as she drove, etc. Perhaps you grab a bite to eat here, visit the museum, and have a cup of coffee. Then I headed to Port Angeles, about an hour’s drive away.
Port Angeles
Port Angeles is the northernmost point of Highway 101 in Washington. When I arrived it was nice and sunny and after looking at some of the stores on the main street, I went for a bite to eat at Little Devil’s Lunch Box. It looks hip, and it’s a restaurant that seems to have bands at night. I had a Cuban sandwich and then left to have coffee at the Great Northern Coffee Bar. I loved shopping at the MOSS and Moxie Boutique and the vibe of this town with its marina, pier, etc., and activities in the nearby Olympic National Park.
Leavenworth: A Bavarian Getaway
Traveling eastward, arrive in Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town nestled in the Cascade Mountains. Its charming German architecture, hearty cuisine, and seasonal festivities make it a favorite for travelers.
It’s a cute Bavarian-themed town in the Cascade Mountains, with its German architecture, delicious foods, and pastries. The town is quite popular, especially in the summer, but its population in 2020 was less than 3k.
Originally the German Bavarian theme took hold in the 1960’s to attract folks to the area. The mountain setting was perfect and there is even skiing nearby and many natural hikes, water adventures, etc. that can be had. I spent 2 days in Leavenworth, mainly walking through the picturesque town, eating, having coffee, etc.Definitely make reservations especially during popular times, like Octoberfest, the Christmas Holidays when they have a magical display of lights in the village. I was fortunate to get a last-minute place at the Hampton Inn, but if you want one of the nice German-themed resorts, book early.
There are many great restaurants. Our favorite place to eat was Munchen Haus Bavarian Grill & Beer Garden. In early September it was still warm and sunny and a great place to eat outdoors. I will write a longer article as I learn more about this town, including my visit to the Nutcracker Museum. Yes, you can see a wide array of nutcrackers, and admission is very affordable at $5 and under a person. Next, I had another coffee at ARGONAUT Coffee & BIscuits (yes I love coffee). Now I’m off to spend a few days in Spokane.
Spokane: Eastern Washington’s Gem
My next stop was the spectacular city of Spokane; one-time home to the World’s Fair. It’s about 193 miles from Leavenworth and takes about 3 hours to get there, but well worth the drive. When you drive East of the Cascade Mountains, the weather is much drier than the west coast of the state and it is sunnier as well.
Spokane had many wonderful things to do and see and the food was wonderful. I stayed a few nights in the magnificent and The Historic Davenport Hotel. It was awesome since there was so much to see and do and you can read more in my blog article, A Traveler’s Guide to Spokane – Washington’s Wonderful Second City. My blog post does share so much more about the great activities like white water rafting with Wiley E. Water’s Whitewater Rafting, to the great coffee like the specialty brews at First Avenue Coffee where they are measured to perfection.
Last, like I said there is so much to see and do so it needs a full article. Notably, Spokane is so close to the state border with Idaho (45-minute drive) and the greater area includes the lovely town of Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, with its wonderful lake and great cool water. It’s also so popular with many of the stars and is a great day trip if you are in the Spokane area. I hope to get back to these parts one day but it was our time to head back east toward our final stop of Mt. Rainier. Thus, I headed back to highway I-90 West. The ride to Mt. Rainier would take about 6 hours.
Stops Along the Way: Ritzville and Ellensburg
As I left Coeur D’Alene I figured it would be a 6-hour drive, but it started to get dark so I had to stop on the way back, either at Ritzville or Ellensburg. Both are historic small towns with popular rodeos, etc. Like I said you need to have reservations since there are only so many hotels along the way.
While looking into this, I couldn’t help reading about the Best Western Bronco Inn | Hotels in Ritzville WA. As I said there are various rodeos and this is an agricultural community. I had read all the great hotel reviews on the Bronco Inn so I had to stop and stay here (plus it’s closest to Coeur d’Alene). The hotel’s decor is Americana and rodeo-themed and the staff was mighty nice! Plus, the rooms were clean and it had breakfast to enjoy before hitting the road. After leaving, I went to the historic downtown and drove by the Railroad Depot Museum (closed). I did find a great cafe called The Lefever Bakery & Cafe that serves baked-from-scratch pastries, cakes, and tasty food. Besides the indoor seating, they have a back patio to enjoy the great outdoors.
Ellensburg, Washington
You may also want to stop in the City of Ellensburg; it’s about 114 miles west of Ritzville. It too is a cute historic downtown and has the state’s largest rodeo with a history dating back to 1923. This vibrant town has a population of 20k, a state university, and the Ellensburg Farmers Market on Saturday mornings 9 am – 1 pm in May – October. And, if you need a good coffee, etc. then stop at D&M Coffee. They make small batch artisanal coffee and I certainly needed another cup for the rest of my drive.
One last thing I visited in Ellensburg was the famous Barn Quilt. Ellensburg is known for its barn quilts, which are now part of the first Washington Barn Quilt Trail. It started with women attaching these panel quilts to the outdoors of their barns. I got to stop by the first one at Dominion’s Barn which is now called Dusty’s Nursery. I wish I had a little more time in this historic town, but I had to get to my final destination, Mt. Rainier since it is several hours away.
Mount Rainier National Park
End your road trip through Washington state at the majestic Mount Rainier National Park. Dominated by its iconic snow-capped peak, the park features scenic drives, alpine meadows, and countless hiking opportunities.
The Drive to Mount Rainier
After leaving Ellensburg, I had a 169-mile ride, or 3+ hours, to Mt. Rainier via Yakama. Yakama is a larger city of 98 thousand and the Yakama Reservation is nearby, the home of Yakama Nation. I didn’t get to spend time there since time was running out, and I couldn’t wait to see Mt. Rainier. While it is said to be one of the more dangerous mountains given its height of 14,411 ft, steep cliffs, and volcanic activity, I couldn’t wait to get there.
As you approach Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) there are several entrances and some are closed during fall and winter months. They also require reservations to get in the park during the busy time, so I went later in September when reservations weren’t required. I drove toward the Sunrise Gate to the park that is usually closed as winter approaches (later I left through the Paradise Gate on our way to Seattle).
While I knew it was a tall mountain, the ride to get to the main lodge was simply mesmerizing climbing higher and higher. While the road had many curves, it had various spots and sights of the mountain through the trees. It was just so incredible. I never realized there were so many glaciers on the mountain. There are 28 named glaciers and many unnamed snowfields. So you’ll see trees and pretty greenery up to a point, then the glaciers and snow fields are higher up. Just amazing.
Where to stay in Mt. Rainier National Park
I finally arrived at the rustic and historic Paradise Inn built in 1916 (altitude of 5,270 ft). Next to the lodge is the main parking area which also gets pretty full. But it’s great to see the lodge with its massive fireplaces, large beams, store, restaurant, and coffee shop. Next, I had a hot chocolate from the coffee shop then took a small hike to see a small waterfall and listened to a park ranger near the visitor station to learn more about hikes up the mountain. Myrtle Falls is less than a ½ mile from the Inn on the Skyline Trail and it is one of the most photographed spots.
I did ask if the lodge had any rooms but they didn’t and often book a year in advance (and they have no A/C, etc.). I was starting to head back to Seattle after my 3rd time asking the clerk if a room was available, then hit the road toward the Paradise Gate since there were no rooms. Then I came to the National Park Inn and got a last-minute cancellation. Wow, this was awesome. I had a great dinner at the smaller historic lodge in the park and I stayed an additional day to hike and explore more of the mountain.
Returning To Seattle, Washington After Your Washington Road Trip
After spending an incredible time at Mt. Rainier on the last day, I had to head back to Seattle to take my red-eye flight at Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) back to Florida. It is about 95 miles away, or about 2½ hour drive. But, it was well worth the extra money to stay another day at the historic inn and I hope to return one day. It was a great time and then I headed back to drop the car at the airport.
This Washington Road Trip was a spectacular and wonderful experience exploring so much of the great state of Washington. There was so much to see in the scenic Pacific Northwest and Washington. I hope you get to see some of these places and plan ahead of time since you may find it hard to get reservations, especially during the busy summer months. It’s truly a magical experience.
This Washington road trip itinerary showcases the state’s unparalleled beauty and diversity. From Seattle’s urban charm to the wilderness of Olympic National Park and the quaint towns in between, this adventure is perfect for travelers seeking a mix of culture, history, and natural wonders.
Whether you’re planning a road trip in Washington state for a week or two, this guide ensures you won’t miss the highlights. Pack your bags, fuel up on coffee, and get ready for an unforgettable journey!
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