Grab a group of friends, some coffee and road snacks cause you are going on a road trip. Western Washington is so beautiful, it’s hard to pick only a couple of road trips that are worth filling up your gas tank to the top for. These are some of the most beautiful road trips out of Seattle that will have you snapping many pictures and considering turning in your urban life for the country.
If you are heading North towards Bellingham and have the time, make sure to check out Chuckanut drive. Not only is it probably the best named scenic drive in western Washington, the views are unparalleled in capturing the true heart of forest shoreline of WA. With misty mountains in the distance and a winding drive through the green forest, there is not a section of this drive that won’t make you fall in love with the PNW.
The farmlands at the base of the Cascade Mountains have a quiet simplicity that will have you considering moving to the country. If you’re headed east across the cascades from Seattle, consider driving through North Bend and up to Snoqualmie Falls.The drive is mostly two lane highway with the great Mount Si out of your window with great little towns to stop in like Fall City, Snoqualmie, and North Bend. Plus the Falls are always a great stop, rain or shine. A large lookout is located right off the main parking lot, or if you are feeling adventures you can hike down the trail to the base of the falls.
Anacortes is like the gate city; the ferry from this picturesque little town will take you to three well known San Juan Island. Although the drive north up to anacortes is just freeway, the ferry rides out of town makes the trip. Take your car and make a day of driving through the islands and Island hopping. Visit the Orcas Island and grab your hiking boots for Turtleback Mountain. Although it’s a bit of a climb, the views are worth the work out. Next, jump on a ferry over to Lopez Island where you can view sea lions from Shark Reef Sanctuary. You can either pick a spot and enjoy the view or take a small walk along the coastal edge. Then jump on the ferry to San Juan Island to enjoy shopping in Friday Harbor. This small port city has niche little stores that you wander through and then make sure you grab the fish and chips for dinner while looking out over the harbor.
Starting from Everett, Highway 2 will take you all the way to Maine if you are feeling ambitious. However, the Highway through western Washington is worth the drive. Following this drive up and into the Cascade Mountains will take you places like Leavenworth and Wenatchee. The drive is mostly two lane highway with seemingly untouched mountain terrain as you gradually watch the landscape turn from forest into desert. Make sure to stop along the way at the Mom and Pop restaurants and stop at the outlooks as much as possible.
The views do not get any better than Deception Pass State Park. Deception Pass is actually an extremely tall bridge that connects Whidbey Island to the mainland. You can find small trails leading around the park or enjoy the cliff sides from your car window as you navigate the twisty road. The pebble beaches are surrounded by the large, green evergreens; a true PNW beach. If you dare, you can park on one side and walk across the bridge. This is not for anyone suffering from a fear of fights, but if you can brave it its breathtaking. From the bridge, you can head down to Coupeville or Langley and spend the afternoon exploring the small town life.
The Seattle area has so many beautiful places that are only a road trip away. Make sure to grab your good friends and visit these places while the leaves are turning and the coffee is warming your soul. What’s your favorite place to hit the road to? Let us know in the comments below!
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