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Road trip!
A good road trip is a rite of childhood: piling into the car and hitting the open road for a family adventure. These are the kinds of trips where we orient our kids to the travel of our youth, where bonding (and squabbling over what music we play) is inevitable, and where memories of mileposts and road trip games are created.
These seven driving routes from the Seattle area (plus one bonus!) will immerse you in the heart and soul of Northwest landscapes and communities. You’ll feel the spray of waterfalls, smell the desert sage, stop at funky attractions for fun photo ops and fill up on fantastic roadside eats. Each stop is handpicked to add a unique experience to your trip. Let’s go!
- Southwest Washington Coast
- The Columbia Gorge
- The Mountain Loop
- North Olympic Peninsula
- Wenatchee Valley to Lake Chelan
- Mount Rainier
- Grand Coulee
- The Sunshine Coast, B.C.
More family getaways around Washington:
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2015, but family road trips never go out of style. It was updated most recently on June 20, 2025, by ParentMap’s managing editor, Allison Sutcliffe, who verified all the travel details so families can plan a great vacation! Mile markers mentioned are from Seattle and are approximate.
The Southwest Washington Coast
Distance from Seattle: 224 miles one way, 4 hours of driving time
Washington’s northern, rugged Olympic coast gets most of the attention, but the southern coast has its own charms for kite-flyers, kayakers, beachcombers and clam diggers. Sandy beaches, large estuaries and lots of funky beach towns line the stretch of coastline from Westport to Ilwaco, with chowder and ice cream pit stops to fuel your journey.
Stops along the way
Mile 123: Bottle Beach State Park (Ocosta): A nice boardwalk trail through wet riparian woods takes you to Gray’s Harbor’s south bay. At low tide, expansive mudflats host thousands of migrating shorebirds in spring and fall (sandpipers, plovers, godwits and more).
Mile 131: Bennett’s Fish Shack (Westport): Detour off the highway for some fried clam strips and chowder on Westport’s maritime working waterfront.
Mile 134: Grays Harbor Lighthouse (Westport): The state’s tallest lighthouse was first lit in 1898, helping to curb the number of shipwrecks while guiding mariners to safe harbor, as it still does today.
Mile 136: Twin Harbors State Park (Westport): Hit the beach! It’s easy to get a kite in the air here — just hold it up in one hand with the spool in the other, break into a run on the sand then let it go! During designated dig days, razor clammers dot the beach with their buckets and shovels.
Mile 167: Northwest Carriage Museum (Raymond): You’ll know you’re in Raymond when you start to notice steel sculptures of birds, trees and people scattered everywhere. But you won’t fully understand the uniqueness of this town until you visit its museum dedicated to old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages, sleighs, buggies and wagons. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and those younger than 5 years old enter for free.
Mile 202: Ellsworth Creek Preserve (Naselle): Part nature preserve and part outdoor art exhibit, this mile-long loop on a boardwalk in the Willapa Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect leg-stretcher with a side of whimsy. Kids, keep an eye out for cool amphibians!
Mile 214: Scoopers ice cream (Long Beach): Are you in the mood for a huge banana split, or a towering hot fudge sundae? Keep it simple and get a double scoop, but you’ll still have to choose from more than 40 flavors.
Mile 214: Marsh’s Free Museum (Long Beach): This curiosity shop is just the sort of place you’d expect in a quintessential beach town — browse their seashells, sunglasses and several dozen varieties of saltwater taffy. Don’t miss the quirky arcade.
Mile 215: World Kite Museum (Long Beach): Buy a kite here or bring your own for the beach just steps away. The museum features exhibits about kites from around the world, from China to California. It also has a kids’ table where your little ones can assemble their very own kite that will really fly!
Mile 216: Discovery Trail (Ilwaco): Pack the bikes, scooters and helmets! At 8.5 miles long, this mostly paved path takes you past a massive gray whale skeleton, over windswept sand dunes and through a lush wetland.
Mile 221: Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center (Ilwaco) Set in Cape Disappointment State Park, this museum tells the story of the expedition’s historic journey. Its interactive exhibits were designed for kids: Follow a treasure hunt, pack a canoe without tipping it and learn how members of the expedition survived the stormy winter.
Mile 224: Salt Pub (Ilwaco): This is the family-friendly spot to unwind and nosh on fish and chips and burgers with a water view, set right on Ilwaco’s bustling marina.
Where to stay
Adrift Hotel (Long Beach): Popular with families, this refurbished modern inn right on the beach has no-frills décor, a heated pool and colorful cruiser bikes to rent.
Cape Disappointment State Park (Ilwaco): The campsites don’t have water views, but the spectacular beach and two vintage lighthouses are just short hikes away. Keep it toasty by skipping the tent and renting one of their cozy yurts or cabins. Note: Camping at Cape Disappointment will temporarily close on Sept. 16, 2025, and is not expected to reopen until April 2026.
Next up: The Columbia Gorge
The Columbia Gorge
Distance from Seattle: 250 miles round trip, 4 hours of driving time
Carved by the mighty Missoula Floods after the last ice age, the Columbia River Gorge beckons with basalt cliffs, wildflower meadows and lots of sunshine. This scenic road trip follows the route of explorers Lewis and Clark on their Corps of Discovery.
The route: From Seattle, head south on I-5 to Exit 7, merging onto I-205 South. From here, Exit 27 puts you onto WA-14 East, the two-lane “Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway” that hugs the quieter Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge and the start of your scenic road trip all the way to Lyle. Return the way you came, or make a loop back to Seattle via US 97 North then I-90 West.
Stops along the way
Mile 180: Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Washougal): Bring binoculars because these 1,000 acres of wetlands are teeming with ducks, herons and eagles. Spot all these birds from the new and flat 3-mile loop trail.
Mile 196: Skamania General Store and Beacon Rock Cafe (Skamania): Nothing fancy, just the place to grab a mocha and peruse their vast offerings of fishing lures.
Mile 199: Beacon Rock State Park (Stevenson): If your kids can do a steep mile-long climb up expertly engineered steps and switchbacks to an impressive panorama of the Columbia River Gorge, they’ll get to brag to their friends that they stood atop the plug of an ancient volcano. This 848-foot basalt monolith was a “beacon” to Lewis and Clark on their journey to reach the Pacific, and so it was aptly named by the explorers.
Mile 207: Bridge of the Gods (Stevenson): Crossing over the river to Oregon and back again will cost you $6 in tolls, but the view from this century-old bridge is unrivaled and you’ll get to say you drove on the Pacific Crest Trail (go slow and watch out for thru-hiking pedestrians!).
Mile 209: Columbia Gorge Museum (Stevenson): Swing by to learn about the geology and industrial history of the gorge with hands-on and interactive exhibits. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for kids.
Mile 211: Granny’s Gedunk Ice Cream Parlor (Stevenson): Grab some kid-approved waffle cones and milkshakes, with a bag of fresh kettle corn for car snacking.
Mile 211: Tacos Pepe (Stevenson): The most famous food truck this side of the Gorge, hungry hikers have been loading up on tamales and fish tacos here for more than a decade.
Mile 228: Spring Creek Hatchery State Park (Underwood): There she blows! The west wind, that is. The mighty Columbia is utopia for west coast windsurfers, and this is a prime viewing spot to watch their colorful sails whip them around on the river.
Mile 232: Everybody’s Brewing (White Salmon): This casual Gorge brewpub is a favorite family stop for craft beer and homemade noshes like sweet potato fries and mac and cheese. Snag a patio table for the view of Mount Hood.
Mile 236: Catherine Creek Natural Arch (White Salmon): Take this short 2-mile ramble through scrub oak and flower meadows to a natural rock arch. Like all trails in the Gorge, you may encounter wood ticks, so tuck pants into socks and check the kids and dogs back at the car.
Mile 250: Dallas Mountain Ranch Trail, Columbia Hills State Park (Lyle): One of the most Instagrammable spots in the state, the carpets of golden-hued balsam root attract throngs of people here in late spring. Just ramble along the easy trails until you’ve had your fill of lupine and birdsong.
Mile 250: Native American Petroglyphs (Lyle): Tour the historic Native American petroglyphs and pictographs found at Columbia Hills State Park on the shore of Horsethief Lake.
Where to stay
Inn of the White Salmon (White Salmon): Book a family suite or squeeze into a standard room at this cozy, charming boutique inn. After you settle in, relax on the pergola-covered patio in the back garden.
The Lyle Hotel (Lyle): Old and charming, you’ll love the fluffy robes and down comforters, but they keep the room rates reasonable because bathrooms are shared. Train-loving kids will adore sleeping so close to railroad tracks, but bring earplugs just in case.
Columbia Hills Historical State Park: Pitch a tent or hook up an RV at one of the windy but scenic campsites at Horsethief Lake.
Next up: The Mountain Loop
The Mountain Loop
Distance from Seattle: 175 miles round trip, 4.5 hours of driving time
There’s gold in them thar hills! Known for bluegrass music, a rich mining history and occasional Sasquatch sightings, the Mountain Loop Highway is the wilderness gateway to Glacier Peak, one of our region’s most active volcanoes. This state scenic byway is peppered with tight-knit communities that depend on tourism for their economies — a fact that’s even more poignant since the massive mudslide that ripped through Oso in 2014. Much of the route follows the old Everett & Monte Cristo Railway, where many relics of the mining era remain. Be sure to check out the Darrington Bluegrass Festival, which will be held July 18–20, 2025.
The route: From Seattle, head north on SR-522 East through Snohomish, then on SR-92 East to Granite Falls and the Mountain Loop Highway. The road twists and turns through the emerald canyons of the central Cascades until you reach Darrington. SR-530 West takes you from Darrington back home via I-5.
Stops along the way
Mile 29: Proper Joe Coffeehouse (Snohomish): Here’s your morning pit stop for lattes (they roast their own beans) and gluten-free muffins.
Mile 46: Granite Falls Historical Museum (Granite Falls): Wondering how much gold was really up there, or why the railway to Monte Cristo was scrapped? You will find answers here (open Sundays, noon–5 p.m.; or by appointment, 360-691-2603).
Mile 47: Lime Kiln Trail/Robe Canyon Historic Park (Granite Falls): This easy trail follows the Stillaguamish River along with the long-gone Everett & Monte Cristo Railway, built in the 1890s. Look for artifacts of the limestone mining era all along the trail, from moss-cloaked saw blades to a 20-foot-tall lime kiln. Turn around at the kiln, and you’ll have traversed 7 miles round trip.
Mile 47: Playa Bonita Mexican Restaurant (Granite Falls): Fill your bellies with family-friendly favorites at this popular local spot.
Mile 100: Old Sauk River Trail (Darrington): This easy trail meanders alongside the beautiful Sauk River through a mossy wonderland. The first portion of the trail is gravel and can be hiked with a stroller.
Mile 117: Boulder River Trail (Oso): If towering, moss-draped trees and pounding waterfalls are your thing, you’ll love this trail that has plenty of both. The second waterfall, just over a mile in, is a good turnaround point.
Where to stay
Paca Pride Guest Ranch (Granite Falls): If your kids are into camping in yurts and petting alpacas, stay here.
Darrington Motor Inn (Darrington): It’s one of the few hotels in the area and nothing fancy, but the rooms are clean and some have kitchenettes. Make reservations by calling 360-436-1776.
Next up: North Olympic Peninsula
North Olympic Peninsula
Distance from Seattle: 108 miles each way, about 3 hours of driving time, plus ferry wait time
Small-town charms, breathtaking scenery and maritime history converge on this road trip that follows the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula and ends with a close-up look at the now-dam-free Elwha River. Consider making this drive in the fall for a chance to see spawning Chinook salmon.
The route: From Seattle, drive north on I-5 to Edmonds and board a ferry that crosses Puget Sound to Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula. You’ll take SR-104 West across Hood Canal, then join U.S. Route 101 North through Sequim and Port Angeles to the Elwha River.
Stops along the way
Mile 32: Port Gamble General Store (Port Gamble): Stroll around the small national historic district downtown, where you’ll find an old-fashioned general store and café — below the general store is a history museum that unveils the story of a town built on the timber industry.
Mile 65: Purple Haze Lavender Farm (Sequim): Stop here for a family photo op among the 15,000 aromatic lavender plants. Lavender fields are open to visitors (along with a gift shop and an ice cream and beverage stand) in the summer, from mid-June through August.
Mile 69: Pane d’Amore Artisan Bakery (Sequim): Stop here for rosemary bread, cheese sticks, kid-favorite cinnamon twists and morning glory muffins.
Mile 74: Dungeness Spit (Sequim): This hike along a 5.5-mile-long sandspit that is designated a national wildlife refuge is as flat, scenic and driftwood-tossed as they come. Bundle up the kids — it can be windy — and be wary of doing the full 11-mile round-trip hike. It’s a seriously hefty undertaking. Consider hiking partway, playing on the beach and enjoying an incredible view of the Olympics. A Refuge Entrance Pass is required.
Mile 91: Sculpture Park (Port Angeles): This short hike is a free outdoor art museum with more than 100 installations. Kids will be enthralled with the whimsical sculptures, from sinewy tree trunks wrapped in glittery fabric to a giant chair made of logs.
Mile 93: Bena Luz Bakery (Port Angeles): Find this bakery off the beaten path, tucked into a neighborhood. Scrumptious baked goods are served Tuesday–Saturday, starting bright and early.
Mile 108: Elwha River (Port Angeles): When two dams were built on this scenic river a century ago, the bountiful salmon runs ceased. Those dams are now removed, and a visit to this beautiful watershed reveals the fascinating story of how a vision of ecosystem restoration has become a reality. Stop at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles for information on the best observation stops along the Elwha.
Where to stay
Sunset Marine Resort (Sequim): Each cozy waterfront cabin has its own outdoor firepit and deck.
Olympic Lodge Hotel (Port Angeles): This spot is a good home base for exploring the area.
Salt Creek Recreation Area Campground (Port Angeles): This kid-friendly campground has stunning views, a playground and tide pools; half of the 92 campsites are first come, first served.
Next up: Wenatchee Valley to Lake Chelan
Wenatchee Valley to Lake Chelan
Distance from Seattle: 180 miles each way, 3.5 hours of driving time
Get an early start for this one, grabbing a hearty breakfast before spending the rest of the day sampling fresh fruit at roadside stands as you drive through the orchard-lined Wenatchee Valley. Get your apples and pears in fall; and cherries, peaches and plums in summer. During the summer you’ll want to hit the popular Slidewaters Waterpark, one of the many attractions of Lake Chelan!
The route: From Seattle, head north on SR-522 East through Snohomish, then take U.S. 2 East through the heart of the Cascade Mountains, passing through Leavenworth, and all the way to Wenatchee. From there, choose U.S. 97 Alt North to Lake Chelan.
Mile 24: The Maltby Cafe (Snohomish): Find favorites such as country eggs Benedict, old-fashioned oatmeal with marionberries and mammoth cinnamon rolls.
Mile 75: Deception Falls (Stevens Pass): Stop and stretch your legs by taking a walk on the short interpretive trail to feel the cool mist from this tumbling, tiered waterfall.
Mile 118: München Haus (Leavenworth): Enjoy German bratwurst with spicy mustard and apple-cider kraut in the courtyard at Leavenworth’s most essential nosh stop.
Mile 121: Smallwood’s Harvest (Peshastin): Moo! This kid-oriented farm stand has a cow train, a petting zoo and fresh-picked fruit for sale.
Mile 130: Liberty Orchards (formerly Aplets & Cotlets) (Cashmere): It almost closed a few years ago, but this sweet candy company is still open under a new name! It’s a real candy factory where the workers make and sort pretty confections on conveyor belts and stir piping-hot vats of candy ingredients.
Mile 150: Pybus Public Market (Wenatchee): Shop the best local produce and artisan goods at this unique market.
Where to stay
Comfort Suites (Wenatchee): Family-friendly suites make this a top pick in Wenatchee.
Campbell’s Resort (Chelan): This family-run resort offers an old-school vacation vibe right on the shore of Lake Chelan.
Next up: Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
Distance from Seattle: 107 miles round trip, 2.5 hours of driving time
This route pairs a sampling of the beauty of Mount Rainier National Park with some of the park’s most charming gateway towns. Try a family stay at Paradise Inn for a wonderful treat (the lodge opened for the season on May 17, 2025, and booking is open now).
The route: Take the back way to Mount Rainier through Puyallup on WA-161 South to Eatonville, then onward until the road ends, where you’ll turn left onto WA-7. In Elbe, take SR-706 through Ashford to the Nisqually Entrance.
Stops along the way
Mile 41: Volcano Coffee (South Hill): Fuel up at this aptly named coffee shop that serves up a variety of coffee drinks, plus creative and colorful concoctions, breakfast sandwiches and treats.
Mile 55: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (Eatonville): Explore hundreds of acres of meadow and pond habitat where you’ll spot bison, moose, elk, mountain lions, grizzly bears and more; plus walk through the rest of the park to meet carnivores and other critters, and don’t miss the phenomenal Kids’ Trek playground!
Mile 63: Pioneer Farm Museum & Ohop Indian Village (Eatonville): Kids get a hands-on experience (complete with real chores!) of what daily pioneer life was like. In summer, try the Native American Seasons Tour to experience the aspects of life in a Native village throughout the year.
Mile 81: Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park (Ashford): Artist Dan Klennert transforms scraps of metal into imaginative animal sculptures — a must-stop for a photo op. Donation suggested.
Mile 96: Longmire Museum and Trail of the Shadows (Longmire): Once you’ve paid admission and entered the park through the Nisqually entrance, stop for a brief visit at the small museum — a former park headquarters — to learn about the history, geology and wildlife of the park, then set out on the stroller-friendly Trail of the Shadows loop across the street.
Mile 104: Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center and Paradise trails (Paradise): There’s no shortage of stunning scenery to be viewed from the paved loop trails just above Paradise Inn, with whistling marmots and bubbling streams providing the soundtrack. The visitor center here is packed with interactive exhibits and features a café with refreshments. (Editor’s note: The visitor center is currently open weekends only, but will likely open for daily hours later this spring; check the website for updates.)
Mile 107: Reflection Lakes (Paradise): Drive 3 miles east of Paradise for the park’s best photo op — Mount Rainier’s reflection in still, mirror-like subalpine lakes (paid park entry required).
Where to stay
Whittaker’s Bunkhouse (Ashford): Originally built for loggers and later used to house mountain climbers and hikers, the bunkhouse is a charming and budget-friendly option; families should book one of the private rooms with an en suite bath.
Paradise Inn (Mount Rainier National Park): Paradise Inn and the National Park Inn at Longmire are both lovely historic lodges for families and have on-site restaurants, gift shops and trails right outside the doors.
Next up: Grand Coulee
Grand Coulee
Distance from Seattle: 263 miles one way, 4.5 hours of driving time
Eastern Washington provides a stark landscape for a family road trip, but the craggy, sage-dotted hills are punctuated by oases, from flood-carved lakes to the mighty Columbia River running through Vantage, and a smattering of interesting rural towns. This trip also showcases the chance to learn about the region’s renewable energy sources.
The route: From Seattle, head east on I-90 over the Columbia River as far as the tiny town of George, where you’ll turn north toward Quincy. From Quincy, take SR-28 East to Soap Lake, where you’ll change to SR-17, and then follow SR-155 North to the Grand Coulee Dam.
Stops along the way
Mile 83: Cle Elum Bakery (Cle Elum): Refuel with a maple-frosted cinnamon roll at this family-run favorite.
Mile 101: Thorp Fruit & Antique Mall (Thorp): From the highway, look for the giant barn that screams “Cherries! Peaches!” Stock up on locally grown fruit and other goodies for your afternoon hike.
Mile 115: Olmstead Place State Park (Ellensburg): Take a step back in time to Central Washington’s pioneer history on this 217-acre farm homestead, first settled in 1875 (Discover Pass required).
Mile 135: Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center (Ellensburg): You’ve seen the giant wind turbines, now you can tour this modern visitor center to find out how wind and sun are sustainably turned into electricity. The visitor center is open April–October, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. You can pick up a self-guided tour packet near the front entrance, or join a free guided tour daily, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Mile 155: Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park (Vantage): This ancient fossil forest fronts the western shore of the Columbia River. A short trail leads to petroglyphs, and inside the interpretive center kids can see and handle real petrified wood (Discover Pass required).
Mile 163: Wild Horses Monument (Vantage): On a bluff above the Columbia River sit these huge wild horses, a sculpture installation made with welded steel plates by Chewelah sculptor David Govedare.
Mile 185: Ancient Lakes Trail (Quincy): This network of trails features scalloped hills of sage and coulee walls surrounding azure lakes that connect via stream waterfalls. Read the Washington Trails Association description to determine a route of appropriate length for your crew (Discover Pass required).
Mile 264: Steamboat Rock State Park (Electric City): Visit this popular state park and take a short hike through desert wildflowers with fragrant sagebrush whipping in the warm wind (Discover Pass required).
Mile 274: Grand Coulee Dam (Grand Coulee): Kids will love learning about the ins and outs of hydropower and the massive dam’s unique history at the interactive visitor center. Stay until sundown to see the phenomenal laser light show. Tours and laser shows resumed in May 2024.
Where to stay
Sunbanks Lake Resort (Electric City): This vintage resort is known for family fun in the sun, from sandy beach strolls to golf. Choose from lakeside cabins or villas.
Sagecliffe Resort & Spa (Quincy): Book a desert yurt at this pretty spot, formerly called Cave B Resort.
Steamboat Rock State Park Campground (Electric City): Pitch a tent on the shores of Banks Lake in the shadow of a columnar basalt bluff; a few of the sites are first come, first served.
Bonus: B.C.’s Sunshine Coast
Bonus: The Sunshine Coast, B.C.
Distance from Seattle: 243 miles one way, 6.5 hours of travel time, including one ferry crossing
Northwest of Vancouver, B.C., stretches the Sunshine Coast Highway, a scenic drive along sheltered bays fringed with fir-scented forests and winding through offbeat, artsy towns. The entire stretch of rocky outcrops and sandy beaches lies in a rain shadow, and in late summer the water is warm enough for swimming. Pack your passports for this cross-border adventure.
The route: From Seattle, stay on I-5 until you cross the border into Canada and get on BC-1 West. Continue on BC-1 to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal and sail to Langdale (reserve passage online). From here, the rest of the road trip is primarily on the Sunshine Coast Highway.
Stops along the way
Mile 61: COA Mexican Eatery (Mount Vernon): This place serves authentic Mexican food, starting with crispy chips and fresh salsa the minute you sit down.
Mile 174: Molly’s Reach by Black Bean (Gibsons): A short distance from the ferry is Gibsons, a quaint seaside town; stop at this café with its sunny patio for great coffee and breakfast sandwiches.
Mile 175: Sunshine Coast Museum (Gibsons): Enjoy a quick history lesson on the way of life for First Peoples on the Salish Sea and the fishing and logging industries that still dominate today. Also of note: An exhibit on “The Beachcombers,” a popular Canadian TV show that was filmed in Gibsons (admission by donation).
Mile 191: Porpoise Bay Provincial Park (Sechelt): Set on Sechelt Inlet, this park has a sandy swimming beach for a summer dip. Keep an eye out for the pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins that frequent the fjord.
Mile 194: Lucky’s Smokehouse (Sechelt): This tasty, casual lunch spot features some of the best barbecue on Canada’s west coast: Expect tangy, tender ribs slow-cooked to perfection, plus pulled pork and homemade mac and cheese.
Mile 215: Francis Point Provincial Park (Madeira Park): You’ll pass an old-growth stand of madrona trees (called arbutus trees in Canada) on your hour-long beach walk to a lighthouse and back.
Mile 246: Rapids at Skookumchuck Narrows (Egmont): As the tide goes in and out, water pours through these “narrows” with a strong current, creating the Sechelt Rapids. Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park has trails and viewing areas.
Where to stay
Bonniebrook Lodge (Gibsons): Set on two wooded acres overlooking the ocean, this century-old inn has child-friendly suites with views.
Sechelt Inn (Sechelt): Get a seaside room and you’ll see this place is literally a stone’s throw from the water. Rooms are basic but nicely furnished and pet-friendly.
