8+ of The Best Washington Road Trips (and Idaho too)

When people think of road trips in the United States, the mind might not turn right away to Washington and Idaho. However, there are many awesome road trips to take throughout this area. Although Seattle and Boise and two of the major cities in these states, there is so much more to see outside of the cities.

Washington, the only state named after a president, offers a gorgeous coastline and some spectacular National Parks. Idaho might be known for potatoes, but it also is known for the 72 gems that have been found within the state. Both states have some up-and-coming wine regions and plenty to keep you busy for several weeks. The following are some of the best Washington road trips and some other awesome ones in Idaho.

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The Best Washington Road Trips

Portland to Seattle 

By Lotte from Gezond Weekmenu

A 175-mile road trip from Portland to Seattle is one of the best Washington road trips to take. For this road trip, take at least three days. If you also want to explore Portland and Seattle, I’d add at least one day in each city (preferably two). This is an excellent road trip for those who love spectacular landscapes, mountains, and volcanoes. It includes some of the best spots in the PNW as well as two great cities.  

Start this road trip in Portland with its wacky slogan “Keep Portland Weird”. Take the I-5S and head to the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center. At this Information Center, you can learn more about Mount St. Helens and see impressive footage from the eruption on March 27, 1980.  

From the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, it’s about 75 minutes to Randle and another 75 minutes to Windy Ridge. From Randle to Windy Ridge, you’ll be driving one of the most scenic routes in Washington State, the NF-99. So, while you could cover this stretch of road in 75 minutes, I recommend taking plenty of time to stop along the way. Have a picnic, enjoy the views and go for a hike at Windy Ridge or Spirit Lake.  

From Mount Saint Helens head to the next stop on this itinerary, Mount Rainier National Park. There are many things to do here, from backcountry camping to hiking, climbing, or snowshoeing in winter. You can spend several days in this amazing NP but if you only have a day, choose one of the hikes starting from the Paradise parking lot.  

The final stop is Seattle with its unparalleled coffee scene, the iconic Space Needle, and one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the country. 

Mount Rainier National Park

By Nichole of Nichole the Nomad

If you are looking for an epic trip exploring one of Washington’s beautiful national parks, a road trip through Mount Rainier National Park is a perfect adventure! Mount Rainier National Park is home to the tallest mountain in Washington and has waterfalls and wildflowers around every corner. This road trip itinerary will explore everything Mount Rainier National Park has to offer, totaling over 200 miles of driving, so I recommend allocating 4-5 days for the road trip.

Whether you are flying into Seattle or driving into Washington, the road trip will begin by exploring the Longmire, Paradise, and Ohanapecosh sections of Mount Rainier National Park for 2-3 days. You can find accommodations in nearby campgrounds or the town of Ashford. A few must-see sights are:

• Comet Falls, 300-foot waterfall
• Skyline Trail, one of the best hikes in Paradise
• Myrtle Falls, waterfall perfectly positioned underneath a view of Mount Rainier
• Plummer Peak and Pinnacle Saddle, short and rewarding hike
• Reflection Lake, perfect place for sunrise or sunset
• Grove of the Patriarchs, hike through an old-growth forest with trees over 300 feet tall and 40 feet wide
• Naches Peak Loop, hike through wildflower meadows

The final 2-3 days of the road trip will include exploring the Sunrise and Carbon/Mowich Lake sections of Mount Rainier National Park. You can find accommodations in nearby campgrounds or the town of Enumclaw. A few must-see sights are:

• Burroughs Mountain, strenuous but rewarding hike
• Fremont Lookout, stunning sunset hike
• Sourdough Ridge Trail, beautiful and easy hike
• Suntop Lookout, drive to an incredible lookout
• Tolmie Peak Lookout, hike to one of four remaining historic fire towers

Whether you want to hike every day or simply take in beautiful views of Mount Rainier, waterfalls, and wildflowers, a road trip through Mount Rainier National Park is a perfect adventure and one of the best Washington road trips to take.

The Palouse

By Erika of Erika’s Travels

The Palouse is a scenic area of undulating farmlands in eastern Washington. Though its tranquil beauty is often understandably overshadowed by the state’s soaring mountains and evergreen forests, it is an off-the-beaten-path area that is as idyllic as it is undiscovered. 

For an unforgettable eastern Washington road trip, begin your drive in Spokane and follow the Palouse Scenic Byway to the Tri-Cities. The Palouse’s unique appearance is attributed to loess sediments that have accumulated into wave-like formations over millennia. As a result, its landscape extends outward like a colorful quilt that lies draped over a sea of dunes. 

For aerial views of the undulating agricultural area, drive to the top of Steptoe Butte. From the parking lot at the top of the conical hill, you have access to 360-degree panoramas of the area’s patchwork farmlands. 

After admiring the birds-eye views of the Palouse, continue through the Channeled Scablands to Palouse Falls State Park. The state park’s iconic waterfall is one of the most dramatic in the Pacific Northwest and a highlight of visiting eastern Washington. The 200-mile road trip through the Palouse can be easily enjoyed in one or two days and is one of the best Washington road trips to take.

If you are keen on extending your journey, you can continue to Walla Walla’s wine country, or visit the spectacular Hells Canyon and Wallowa Mountains of northeast Oregon. 

North Cascades Highway or Highway 20

By Geena of Beyond the Bucketlist 

Growing up in Washington state, I have taken countless road trips but none as beautiful as driving through the North Cascades National Park. As far, as National Parks go this is one of the most under-rated and under-visited in the country thus making it one of the best Washington road trips. But I will let you in on a little Washingtonian secret, this is where all the best views in Washington are. You will start your winding journey through the jaw-dropping mountains of Northern Washington, at the head of Highway 20 just north of Seattle.

Over the course of the next two to three days, you’ll drive past seas of evergreen forests (Washington is the Evergreen State after all), electric blue glacial lakes, and stare up at epic snow-capped peaks at every turn. Highway 20 is perfectly navigable in one very long day if you want to blow past all the world-class hikes and just take in the views from your driver’s seat,  but I really recommend getting out and stretching your legs.

My favorite quick road trip stops are the Diablo Lake Overlook and the Washington Pass Overlook. But if you decide that you want to try your hand at hiking, the Sahale Arm at Cascade Pass is my hands down favorite trail. The hike begins at the foot of an actual glacier and ascends into the highest peaks surrounding the canyon. & it’s a relatively easy hike, fit for all skill levels. This 436-mile scenic highway is definitely a road trip to put at the top of your bucket list. 

The Olympic Peninsula Road

By Stephanie of Travanie Travels

A drive around the Olympic Peninsula is one of the best Washington road trips that you can take. On this drive you will see it all –lush rainforest, rocky coastline, rushing waterfalls, snowy mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, the world’s tallest trees and so much more. Containing national parks and forests, wild coastline, and charming seaside towns the Olympic Peninsula is incredibly diverse and one of the most beautiful destinations to travel to in the United States.

Starting and ending a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula in Seattle is the perfect way to set your trip up for success. From downtown, the drive is about 500 total miles depending on the route you decide to take. If you’d like to reduce your total mileage, taking the Bainbridge ferry across the Puget Sound is the perfect option.

With so many amazing things to see and do, three to seven days is recommended to properly explore and experience the peninsula either as a long weekend trip or a traditional week-long vacation. Some of the best stops along this road trip include the La Push beaches, the Hurricane Ridge overlook of the Olympic Mountains, Sol Duc Falls, and the Hoh Rainforest.

The Olympic National Park Beaches

By Michelle Stelly of The Wandering Queen

One of the best Washington trips to do is, of course, the Olympic Peninsula Beaches. The Olympic Peninsula is a perfect way to experience the Pacific Northwest vibes you see in the movies and shows. These beaches have forests, sea stacks, and plenty of wildlife! You will love your road trip through this coast. This road trip is around 50 miles long and I recommend exploring this on a weekend.

The first stop is Kalaloch Beach. This beach features a fantastic tree called “The Tree Of Life”. Pets are allowed on this beach, and so many people love to walk along the shores and relax. There is also a campground you can stay nearby. The next stop is, of course, Ruby Beach. This beach is stunning! With the giant sea stack right in the middle of the beach, you can explore this area for hours. Make sure to stop by Sunset!

Another great beach to stop at is a beach called “Second Beach”. This beach features a rainforest, driftwood, and some more sea stacks. It is a pretty easy hike that many people backpack to. Just make sure to make a reservation if you do! After exploring Second Beach make sure to grab some food at Rivers Edge restaurant. The food is pretty good and there is a chance of views of Bald Eagles while you eat your food.

The last stop is many locals’ favorites called Rialto Beach. I highly recommend hiking the 4-mile round trip trail to an area called “The Hole In The Wall”. If the tide is low, it is a great area to take some pictures and explore. Rialto Beach is another great sunset spot for the whole family.

The Best Idaho Road Trips

Boise to Idaho Falls

By Kay of The Awkward Traveller

One of the best Idaho road trips starts in Boise and ends in Idaho Falls, taking you from the west side of the state to the east. Although the total distance is not long and could be done in one day (280miles, 4 hours), it is best to split the trip into two days if you plan on spending an ample amount of time exploring the attractions and towns in between.

Grab breakfast to go on your way out of Boise, and your first stop will be just 35 minutes outside of town at Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park. As the name suggests, you will be able to see incredible natural sand dunes, and it also is a great picnic spot to finish your breakfast and coffee.

Next, the city of Twin Falls will be your next stop, where you’ll find the magnificent Shoshone Falls, as well as the opportunity to learn more about American history and its war crimes against Japanese-Americans at Minidoka National Historic Site, a Japanese internment camp during World War II. If you would like to break your trip into two days, rest in Twin Falls. While there are no National Parks in Idaho, your next stop will be at Craters of the Moon National Monument, full of lava caverns and molten fields.

On your last stop before Idaho Falls, you’ll pass through the tiny town of Atomic City, once home to the Experimental Breeder Reactor I, the world’s first electricity-generating nuclear power plant. Although the city now has less than 30 permanent residents, it’s still a pretty cool pit stop for the sign alone. Driving from Boise to Idaho Falls will take you through diverse landscapes and historic sites, showing you the best of both sides of the state.

Boise to Stanley

By Val of Voyages with Val

Stanley, Idaho, and the Sawtooth Mountains are the perfect place for a day or weekend road trip from Boise! At  132 miles and 2 hours and 40 minutes of driving time, it is the perfect distance to get out of the hustle and bustle of city life without having to spend too long driving.

Stanley, Idaho sits at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains, an impressive towering range, whose jagged peaks and pristine, alpine lakes are hard to rival. There is so much hiking, camping, and backpacking to be done here, making it great for a family getaway or adventurous couple’s weekend retreat. There is a place to stay for every type of traveler here with several rustic hotels nestled in Stanly, an abundance of RV parks and campgrounds, or grab a map and hit the trails, and stay in the great outdoors! If you do decide to go backpacking, be sure to do your research on common backpacking mistakes to ensure you are prepared.

While the destination is amazing itself, do not forget this is a road trip and you can make several stops along the way! One of the truly unique features of the Sawtooths and surrounding mountainous areas are the abundance of hot springs in the area. Kirkham Hot Springs is a popular one right off the road on the way to or from Stanley. There is a small dropbox and fee and then you can walk right down to the hot springs along the Payette River. Other hot springs in the area include Sacajawea Hot Springs, Boat Box Hot Springs, and Bonneville Hot Springs.

Washington and Idaho are great states to take road trips through. There are so many fun outdoor activities and sites to see. Make sure to check out Idaho’s wine country. If you have more time, add on an Oregon road trip to your itinerary or head east to visit National Parks in Montana or Wyoming. No matter what there are a ton of awesome states to visit in the United States.

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