You’ll find a combination of nature, entertainment and relaxation on this Portland to Seattle road trip where you can explore marine life, go hiking or get on the dance floor.
This Portland to Seattle road trip is scenic and will take you past several beach towns, national parks and botanical gardens. And if you’re into arts and culture you will find many places to stop along the way. You’ll go past major cities where there are an array of art galleries, museums, antique shops and theaters that you can visit. Foodies will want to dine at local eateries or sample a few trendy cocktails at a local bar. After dining, you can stop by a club for a little dancing or listening to live music.
Stops
1. Portland, OR
2. Vancouver, WA
3. Chehalis, WA
4. Olympia, WA
5. Tacoma, WA
6. Seattle
Info at a glance
- A 4-day trip
- Type of route: City
- 6 stops along the route
- 182 miles of driving
Highlights
- Enjoy views of the Columbia River Gorge.
- Go on a shopping spree in Vancouver and indulge in its nightlife.
- Relax and shop for antiques in Chehalis.
- See a famous part of Back to the Future in Tacoma.
- Catch a glimpse of a whale at Redondo Beach.
Getting to the start
This road trip will take you from the city of Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington, covering just over 170 miles. If you fly into Portland, you’ll land at the Portland International Airport (PDX). You can rent a car from here to explore the city of Portland and other parts of Oregon and the state of Washington. If you live in the region, you can get to Portland on one of many roads including Interstate 84 West and I-5 from the north or south. Going from Portland to Seattle by car, you’ll travel north on I-5.
When to Visit
The Pacific Northwest is picturesque in any season. However, to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or camping, you won’t want to do this road trip from November through March because it will be cold and there can be snow. Therefore, April to October is the best time to visit. Be sure to pack a jacket and clothes for layering for cooler nights. Because it rains a lot in the state of Washington, you’ll want to take some rain gear with you.
Driving tips
There aren’t any specific driving tips to be aware of on this road trip. Because you are driving between two major metro areas, you should avoid leaving Portland or approaching Seattle during rush hour because of traffic jams. Also note that there are some tolls on I-5 in both Oregon and Washington. The speed limit along I-5 is 70 miles per hour for the entire drive. However, in parts of Portland, the speed on highways drops down to 50 mph.
What to know about the route
This 174-mile road trip will take you through both small towns and large cities. The first stop you’ll make is just across the Columbia River from Portland. In Vancouver, you can go shopping before you leave for the next stop. Chehalis, also known as the Maple Leaf City, is rich in history. After visiting this quaint town, you’ll be on your way to the capital city of Washington, Olympia, where you’ll learn a lot about the state. On this leg of the journey, you might be able to do some whale watching before you head further north to Tacoma and end your drive in Seattle. This scenic route uses I-5 North the entire way. Because there could be different elevations on the journey, if you’re renting a car an SUV might be a good option for your trip.
Portland, OR
Portland is the largest city in the state of Oregon. It is a good place for foodies to visit and is rich with history, big city charm and natural beauty. Portland is also home to professional sports teams like the Portland Trailblazers (NBA) and the Portland Timbers (soccer). And if you’re into live music, this is a great city to see a live performance.
Points of interest
If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, you’ll find lots of it in Portland. At Portland’s Tryon Creek State Park you can go horseback riding, hiking or biking. When you want to relax or experience some peace and tranquility, you can visit one of Portland’s beautiful gardens such as the Portland Japanese Garden and the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Dance clubs and karaoke are also popular in Portland.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Portland is known for its many coffee shops. Stop by a coffee house to try a cup from a local coffee roaster. Instead of going to a restaurant, you can dine on some delicious food from a food cart or truck in the Pioneer Courthouse Square in Downtown Portland.
Sixt Insider Tip
Portland has several dine-in movie theaters. These theaters serve a full menu of food, beer and cocktails. Many show specialty movies such as second-run, cult classics and foreign films.
From Portland to Vancouver (10 miles)
It is a short drive from Portland to Vancouver, Washington. However, along the way, you’ll go past Hayden Island. On this island sitting in the Columbia River, you can go shopping at the Jantzen Beach Shopping Center.
Vancouver, WA
On your drive from Portland to Seattle, you’ll quickly cross into the state of Washington. The first stop will be in Vancouver, which is one of the largest cities in Washington. It offers great local events including a Farmer’s Market and several outdoor spaces including public parks like Salmon Creek Park. You might even catch a live concert at Vancouver’s Waterfront or the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater.
Points of interest
Many visitors to Vancouver enjoy outdoor activities like fishing at Hicks Lake or hiking on the Waterfront Renaissance Trail. History buffs can expand their knowledge of the past with a tour of the Ulysses S. Grant House, Officers Row or the Pearson Air Museum. Tourists can also do some dancing or taste local cocktails at the Coffin Club or the Decadent 80s Dance Club.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
In Vancouver, you might want to stay downtown. When you choose to lodge in this area, you’ll be close to restaurants, the pier and parks where you can go walking. From a downtown hotel, you’ll also be close to the Vancouver Waterfront with views of the Columbia River.
Sixt Insider Tip
Visit the Brautigan Library to see a variety of unpublished novels and manuscripts. There are also a variety of other items in the collection including digital documents, artists’ books and business papers. The library is on Main Street just a 7-minute walk from downtown.
From Vancouver to Chehalis (79 miles)
Leaving Vancouver, you’ll head north on I-5 toward Seattle. You’ll go by many small cities on your way to your next stop, Chehalis. You’ll have just over a 1-hour drive before you make it to your next destination.
Chehalis, WA
Chehalis was once known as the Maple Leaf City because that’s what the confluence of the Chehalis River, its tributaries and area railroads resembled. It has many charming eateries, inns and outdoor spaces that tourists can enjoy.
Points of interest
You’ll be able to visit a few museums on your visit to Chehalis. This includes the Veteran’s Memorial Museum, the Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum and the Lewis County Historical Museum.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
There are a few national hotel chains in the Chehalis-Centralia community. Tourists might also want to stay at a bed and breakfast where you can enjoy local cuisine and learn more about the history of Chehalis and Centralia. Many of the hotels are conveniently located just off I-5.
Sixt Insider Tip
Chehalis and the surrounding area are home to several buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places. There is also the historic Claquato Cemetery and an old church across the street.
From Chehalis to Olympia (28 miles)
If you want to go a little off the beaten path, you can take an alternate route to Olympia and make a stop at Offutt Lake. At this lake, you can do some swimming, fishing and boating. There is also a campground and cottage and cabin rentals at the Offutt Lake Resort.
Olympia, WA
Olympia is the capital city of Washington and you’ll find many educational, cultural and historical attractions here. The city is also located on the southern end of Puget Sound, where you’ll find a diverse marine ecosystem.
Points of interest
In Olympia, you can learn more about wildlife with a visit to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Olympia has several walking and hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. If you want the challenge of different terrains, Millersylvania State Park is ideal. You can learn more about the Washington State Legislature with a tour of the Washington State Capitol and the Washington State Capitol Museum.
Sixt Insider Tip
Take in the fragrance of the lavender fields at the Evergreen Lavender Farm where you can walk the grounds and relax. There are also a variety of products that you can buy at the farm including bath products, shampoos, lavender soap and essential oils.
From Olympia to Tacoma (31 miles)
You’ll go through Lakewood on your way to the next stop, Tacoma. In Lakewood, you can enjoy water sports like canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding on one of the many inlets of Puget Sound.
Tacoma, WA
Whether you’re into arts and culture or want to enjoy the great outdoors, there is something in Tacoma for you to see and do. Tacoma offers access to Point Defiance State Park and the Ruston Way Waterfront.
Points of interest
At Point Defiance State Park you can enjoy learning about and seeing the animals at the zoo and the aquarium. While in Tacoma, you can take a tour of the Museum of Glass or the Foss Waterway Seaport. At the Ruston Way Waterfront, there is a walking trail and park where you can rent a stand-up paddleboard or get a little closer to the seals. From here you can also enjoy amazing views of Mount Rainier.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Get beautiful views of the water at a waterfront hotel in either downtown Tacoma or Point Ruston. You can also grab a meal or cocktail at a waterfront restaurant or bar and enjoy the views.
Sixt Insider Tip
See the Flintstones car and the DeLorean from the movie “Back to the Future” at Le May-America’s Car Museum in Tacoma. The museum also has a variety of other activities that you can enjoy such as car simulators, a photo booth and a movie theater.
From Tacoma to Seattle (34 miles)
Along the way to the end of the road trip, Seattle, stop at Dash Point State Park or Redondo Beach, just a few minutes outside of Federal Way. Located on Puget Sound, you just might catch a glimpse of a whale in the water. You’ll also drive past the small town of Tukwila where there is a family fun center where you can grab a bite to eat and do some indoor car racing.
Seattle
While Seattle is home to corporations including Starbucks and Amazon, it is also surrounded by natural beauty. You can visit world-class museums and tourist attractions one day and explore Puget Sound and the many islands accessible by ferry.
Points of interest
Seattle has several landmarks and attractions for you to see. Rent a car from the Seattle Airport and check out everything the city of Seattle has to offer. One of these landmarks is the Space Needle and another is the Smith Tower, a skyscraper with a 35th-floor observatory. There are also numerous museums to explore like the Museum of Pop Culture, the Seattle Art Museum and the Pacific Science Center.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Seattle is known for its coffee, and you’ll find both Starbucks and many local roasters with their own cafes. Fresh seafood is also easy to find, and you will find top-notch oysters, salmon and more. Visit Pike Place Market if you want to buy fresh fish and seafood, or just eat some. For lodging, many visitors stay in downtown Seattle close to the waterfront and you’ll find both upscale hotels and affordable hostels throughout the city. Queen Anne is another neighborhood that you might want to stay in. If you want to spend some time in Seattle, check out our guide on small towns in Seattle.
Sixt Insider Tip
While in Seattle, you should check out the Fremont Troll. This scary statue is located under the Aurora Bridge close to the Fremont Cut.
