Planning one roadtrip by Washington en Oregon State can be a challenge due to the many beautiful places you may want to visit. You will have to make certain choices before you leave. I visited both states twice (in 2022 and again in 2024). The first time I stayed close to the coast, the other time I drove more inland past the cities, nature parks and volcanoes. Because both roadtrip options are great, but completely different, in this article I have mapped out a mix of both for you - including personal tips. Hopefully my tips will help you plan your next adventure!
This article is part of a large one-year tour the United States en Canada, with a Dutch 4×4 camper that we shipped ourselves… It is a bucket list worthy and a once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten.
We wrote almost 100 articles about this ultimate tour. Visit our North America page for more information.
Roadtrip itinerary | Classic tour Washington and Oregon
The classic roadtrip / tour through Washington and Oregon usually starts and ends in Seattle. Seattle is a good starting point for your trip, because it has good flight connections with major cities in Europe. This means that airline tickets remain relatively affordable.
Tip:: In the article 'costs and budget' you can read everything about the flight tickets, rental car, hotels and costs of this trip.
Route example on Google Maps
To give you an idea of the route you will drive, I have added the most important places for you below on my own Google Map. I've made this map public so you can copy it to your own account. After you have copied the map to your own Google Account, you can add places (such as restaurants, hotels and sights) yourself.
Classic tour Washington and Oregon
The example below is based on a tour with a duration of approximately two weeks. You can of course choose to stay a day shorter or longer somewhere, depending on your personal wishes.
Days 1-2: Seattle
Start your journey in Seattle, where you'll see the iconic... Space needle for panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains. If you want to save on sights such as the Space Needle, buy the Seattle City Pass.
Explore Pike Place Market, where you can taste fresh seafood and local delicacies and enjoy the famous fish throwing tradition. Do you really want to experience this iconic market? Then definitely book the food tour, your taste buds will thank you!
Then take a walk through it Seattle Centre, where events often take place and end your day with dinner in the trendy district Capitol Hill.
Tip:: As a hotel tip I can The Westin Seattle to recommend wholeheartedly. Want to know more about accommodations, CityPass and other practical matters in Seattle? Then read our practical information about Seattle.
Would you like to know more about what you can see and do in the city? Then read our tips for seattle.
Day 3-4: Olympic National Park
After a drive of about three hours from Seattle you arrive in Olympic National Park. This park is known for its impressive landscapes. The landscape varies from rolling hills to imposing mountain peaks and glaciers with deep valleys. The park is also home to some primeval forests, rainforests and even sandy beaches.
Op Hurricane Ridge you can enjoy beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains and discover a number of beautiful, easily accessible hiking trails. During our walk of about 2 hours, we quickly saw many special animals. During my visit I was lucky enough to spot several deer, a Bald Eagle, a black bear with three cubs and the rare Olympic marmot. Would you like to find out more about Olympic NP? Then read our article tips for Olympic National Park.
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Of course, the park has much more to offer than just Hurricane Ridge, so you can choose to take several days to explore everything. On the coast you can also spot whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals and otters. Visit it Visitors Center and read our blog about the park to find out more.
Hotel tip: After a long day of hiking and exploring, check in at The Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles, just outside the national park.
Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park
Today you drive south. Drive from The Red Lion Hotel in Port Angeles to Mount Rainier National Park, a drive of about 3 hours. Mount Rainier is located about 100 kilometers as the crow flies from Seattle, it is the imposing volcano that you can see clearly from the city on clear days.
Explore the Paradise Meadows, where you enjoy beautiful mountain meadows and a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peak of Mount Rainier. You can also take various walks here, from relaxed 30-minute walks to full-day hikes that take you high up on the volcano.
Also watch: During my visit to the park, I recorded some short videos to report live on Instagram. You can watch the highlights of these stories by clicking on the image below.
Day 6: Mount Saint Helens
On the way to Mount Saint Helens, a drive of about 2,5 hours, you will be the first to visit it Mount Saint Helens Interpretive Center in Castle Rock. From here you will have a fascinating view of the volcano and learn more about the famous eruption on May 18, 1980.
After being inactive for 123 years, the volcano suddenly erupted. The eruption happened on the north side of the mountain. A huge, hot cloud of about 500 degrees Celsius destroyed everything in its path. This disaster killed 57 people.
Tip:: You can choose to Mount rainier en Mount Saint Helens to visit in one day. You can then visit different viewpoints and discover both visitors centers. However, you won't have time for a long walk, so keep that in mind.
It was the most deadly and destructive volcanic eruption in the history of the USA. The force of the eruption was so great that a large part of the mountain collapsed. Before the eruption the volcano was 2950 meters high, but afterwards it was only 2550 meters high.
Photographer and volcanological expert David Johnston took the above series of historic photos in the minute before the 500 degree Celsius pyroclastic ash cloud killed him. You can see all this, including videos, in the Visitor Center.
You can then choose to take a walk. The area has become incredibly fertile due to the volcanic ash soil, making it incredibly green and colorful. There is also a good chance that you will encounter deer here again.
Unfortunately the weather deteriorated during our walk to Mount Saint Helens. Fortunately, when we got closer to the volcano (photo below), it was still clearly visible that the entire side of the volcano had been blown away. Bizarre to think that half of the volcano has simply disappeared!
Hotel tip: End your day with something particularly authentic McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge.
Day 7-8-9: Portland
Drive to Portland, a drive of about 2 hours. Explore the city by visiting the famous food trucks for a tasty lunch and discover Powell's City of Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world. Visit the Portland Japanese Garden for a serene walk and it Washington park for additional hiking trails and a zoo. Portland offers a unique mix of culture, nature and gastronomy and you can easily spend two to three days here.
Hotel tip: Stay with Hotel Grand Stark for a comfortable and centrally located experience. The main attractions are within walking distance of the hotel.
Day 10: Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood
Take a day trip to the columbia river gorge, about a 30-minute drive from Portland. Start with a visit to the impressive Multnomah Falls, Oregon's tallest waterfall. Also explore other waterfalls in the area such as Bridal Veil Falls en Latourell Falls. The scenic ride along the river and the beautiful waterfalls make this an unforgettable day in nature.
Then drive to Mount Hood, about 1 hour away. Explore the historical Timberline Lodge, a charming building with beautiful views of the mountain and the surrounding nature. What is particularly special is that skiing is possible here almost all year round. Even in the summer, you can drive to the snow from Portland in one hour!
Tip:: Curious about the video stories on Instagram of this day? You can do them here see back.
Hotel tip: Stay with Oregon Garden Resort for a wonderfully comfortable stay with beautiful flower gardens.
Day 12: Silver Falls State Park
Crazy about waterfalls? Then this day is perfect for you. Today you visit Silver Falls State Park, about a 1-hour drive from Oregon Garden Resort. This park will definitely impress you. Nowhere in the world have I seen so many beautiful waterfalls, so close together! If you like hiking and waterfalls, this is a full-day program. Walked Trail of Ten Falls to discover all the waterfalls. At a number of waterfalls, the trail also runs directly behind the waterfalls, which makes it extra fun.
Would you like to get a better idea of these beautiful waterfalls? I also made several live videos on Instagram of this day in which you get a good idea of nature, the waterfalls and how I experienced it. Watch the videos by clicking on the image below.
Day 13 & 14: Oregon Coast
End your trip at the Oregon Coast. Drive to Cannon Beach (about 2 hours drive) and explore the rugged coastline. Also visit other coastal towns such as Newport en Florence if you have the time. Depoe Bay, Cape Meares, Boiler Bay en Sunset Beach are also definitely worth a stop.
Hotel tip: Stay the first night at Sheltered Nook in Tillamook Bay and the 2nd night at Hotel Elliott in Astoria.
What is good to know is that whales can be spotted along almost the entire coastline all year round. The whales migrate from Mexico to Canada and back again. A well-known hotspot for whale watching is Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint. The whales can almost always be found here and in both 2022 and 2024 I saw them here, just off the rugged coastline.
Whales are not the only wildlife you will encounter along the Oregon coast. You will also spot many special birds, seals and more here. Believe it or not: you can spend several months a year at, among others Haystack Rock even spot the Icelandic Puffin birds!
There is also a lot of beautiful video footage available these days. Click on the image below to view the video story highlights from the Oregon coast.
Tip:: Would you like to know more about the west coast of America? In 2022 I drove it from north to south visiting the most remote and epic places. You can read all about it in the blog: Highlights and tips West Coast America.
Day 14: Back to Seattle
Everything comes to an end, including this beautiful classic roadtrip through Washington and Oregon. Drive back to Seattle (about 4 hours) to get your roadtrip to close and fly back home.
If you want to know more about cheap flights
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After reading this article, are you looking for practical information, such as information about costs and budget, the best travel time and nice places to stay during this unique roadtrip? Then read the articles below for more information!
- Best time to travel | Roadtrip through Washington and Oregon
- Hotel and camping tips | Roadtrip through Washington and Oregon
- Costs and Budget | Roadtrip through Washington and Oregon
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