Are you planning on taking a Portland to Seattle road trip through the Pacific Northwest and are wondering what the best stops are?
This stretch of land between the PNW’s largest cities is packed with all sorts of fun adventures. From lots of stunning nature to city exploring, there are all sorts of things to add to your itinerary.
The Pacific Northwest is well known for being a hotspot for outdoor lovers, and on this road trip, you’ll get to experience some of Washington and Oregon’s most beautiful destinations.
In this post, I’ll share with you some of the best places to stop on this road trip, how long of a driving distance to expect, and more.
Portland to Seattle Road Trip: Driving Distance
Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington are found just a short 3 hour drive from one another. This equals out to be around 175 miles, and is an easy drive.
Because most of the drive is on interstates, it’s smooth sailing and you don’t have to worry about too many turns.
The one thing that you might need to consider is traffic, since you will be passing through some major cities and you’ll want to account for rush hour.
Seattle to Portland Road Trip Itinerary
Below you’ll find some of the best stops to make on a road trip from Portland to Seattle, or vice versa. Some of the stops are along the way while others require a slight detour.
Columbia River Gorge
Starting just to the east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is one of the most popular places for hiking in Oregon and Washington.
This long stretch of land lines the Columbia River as flows down Washington and into the Pacific Ocean.
Along the Columbia River Gorge, you’ll find dozens of hikes to check out, as well as almost 100 waterfalls and plenty of viewpoints. There are some great hikes on the Washington side, as well as many in Oregon.
A few of the most popular spots include Multnomah Falls, which is Oregon’s tallest waterfall, the Vista House, Angel’s Rest, and Dog Mountain.
A few of my favorite places to hike are Coyote Wall and Dog Mountain, which are some of the best Washington spring hikes for wildflowers.
Although to see the gorge you’ll need so backtrack slightly, it’s worth the added time!
Cannon Beach
After spending time in the gorge, zig-zag over to Oregon’s coast and get ready to spend some time exploring the Pacific Ocean.
Cannon Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the PNW, with the large Haystack Rock jutting out of the water. You may even recognize Haystack Rock from many people’s favorite movie from the ‘80s- The Goonies.
Here you’ll find a long stretch of sand where you can wander along, take in the views, and enjoy the chilly water of the Pacific.
There are small shops and restaurants to grab a bite to eat at as you listen to the sounds of the waves crashing into the shore.
Astoria
Another of Oregon’s most popular coastal towns is Astoria, which you can find just slightly north of Cannon Beach.
In Astoria, you can find more filming locations for The Goonies, as well as several other movies that have been filmed here. There’s even a museum, called the Oregon Film Museum, where you can learn more about these movies.
Other fun things to do in Astoria include climbing to the top of the Astoria Column, walking along the Riverwalk Trail, and visiting the Fravel House Museum.
You might also want to pack up an easy hiking lunch to enjoy a picnic on the beach or on a hiking trail.
Fort Stevens State Park
Just before leaving the coast to continue on your Seattle to Portland road trip, make a stop at Fort Stevens State Park.
This unique park is home to what was once a military installation to block the Columbia River during the Civil War and World War II.
Today, you can visit and enjoy the hiking trails that line the beach, including one that leads to the Peter Iredale Shipwreck.
The park also has a swimming beach and some old bunkers that were built around the Civil War that you can explore.
Kalama
The small town of Kalama is found right on Interstate 5 as you drive from Portland to Seattle. It’s one of the first places that you’ll stop after your visit to the coast as you make your way back inland.
While it isn’t a huge city, there are some charming spots that you can check out during your visit.
First, walk along the Port of Kalama, where you’ll find a marine, public parks, and more along the banks of the Columbia River. There are many great shops and restaurants to check out, including the popular McMenamins Pub at Kalama Harbor Lodge. McMenamins are a unique chain restaurant in the PNW that are often hosted in unique buildings.
During the summer you might find live entertainment at the Westin Amphitheater. There’s also a sandy beach along the river, and a large grassy area to stretch your legs at after a long car ride.
Just shortly north of Kalama, I also recommend stopping at Stuffy’s in Longview. They have delicious breakfast food, and the decor in the restaurant is so fun!
World’s Largest Egg
Although it’ll be a quick stop, it’s worth a visit to the World’s Largest Egg, just north of Kalama.
This 12-foot-long egg sits high on a pedestal and tells visitors of how it’s the largest in the world. You can stop quickly along the side of the road as you make your way from Portland to Seattle.
Lewis and Clark State Park
As you continue along Interstate 5 toward Seattle, you’ll stumble upon signs for Lewis and Clark State Park. A fun fact about Washington and Oregon is that they were some of the final stops for Lewis and Clark.
Within Lewis and Clark State Park, you can enjoy hiking trails, spots for camping, Washington’s old-growth forests, and nature.
If you’re looking for somewhere to get outside that is less crowded than some of the other state and national parks in Washington and Oregon, this is the place to be!
While you can still get out, stretch your legs, and bask in nature, there are far fewer crowds here. The park was built to preserve the old-growth forest that grows along the interstate.
Mount St. Helens National Monument
Perhaps one of Washington’s most recognizable features is Mount St. Helens National Monument. This monument is built around the fascinating Mount St. Helens, which erupted back in 1980.
You can visit the monument and get a full view of the active volcano and even walk down into the blast zone. This is a really unique experience, because you’ll get to see what damage the blast did to the surrounding area, and you can look for signs of new growth as the years have gone on.
A stop at Johnston Ridge Observatory gives you the best chance to learn about Washington’s most active volcano. There’s a visitor center with tons of information and exhibits. Plus, it offers the best access to the hiking trails.
If you have some extra time on your Portland to Seattle road trip, add on a visit to Ape Cave, which is the 3rd longest lava tube in the country. It’s a long cave that you can walk through underground.
Mount Rainier National Park
Next on the itinerary is a stop at the home of Washington’s tallest mountain, Mount Rainier National Park.
This is the most popular national park in the state, although there are 3 of them. It’s home to Mount Rainier, which is the main attraction of the entire park.
Whether you’re a hiker or someone who just enjoys the views, a visit here will be worthwhile.
Stop at either Sunshine or Paradise for some of the most spectacular views of the mountain. You can embark on hikes from either location, or you can just enjoy it from the visitor centers.
There’s also a scenic drive that you can take, which showcases the true beauty of the area surrounding Mount Rainier. Keep an eye out for wildlife, and in the summer, watch for stunning wildflowers.
Tacoma
As one of your last stops before you roll into Seattle, pay a visit to the city of Tacoma. Known for its vibrant art, specifically glass art, Tacoma is found right along Commencement Bay.
Definitely make a stop at Point Defiance Park, as well as the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, as they’re some of the most popular places. You could almost spend an entire day doing just these two activities!
The Ruston Way Waterfront is another place to explore, with many different parks, shops, and restaurants to check out.
And because Tacoma is known for its glass art, it only makes sense to stop at the Museum of Glass. Here you’ll find live glassblowing demonstrations and exhibits, experiences to make your own glass, and more.
FAQs
Is There a Scenic Drive From Portland to Seattle?
There is no specific scenic drive from Portland to Seattle. The best way to make the drive scenic is to make small detours to different stops along the way.
What is There to See Between Portland and Seattle?
There is plenty to do between these two major cities including stopping at Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and the Pacific coast.
How Long is the Coastal Drive from Portland to Seattle?
If you want to take the coastal drive from Portland to Seattle, it’ll take about 6 hours. This is because it’s out of the way and you’ll go slower on the coast.
What is Halfway Between Seattle and Portland?
The towns of Chehalis and Centralia, Washington are about halfway between Seattle and Portland.
Wrap-Up: Portland to Seattle Road Trip
Planning a visit to the Pacific Northwest almost always consists of stops in Portland and Seattle. As Washington and Oregon’s largest cities, they’re often added to people’s itineraries.
If you’re making a Portland to Seattle road trip while in the PNW, there are many places to stop along the way. I hope that this post, sharing all of the best stops, was able to help you plan your trip.
From nature lovers to big city goers, there’s something for everyone along the way.
