Driving From Portland to Seattle
The Pacific Coast and wild mountains provided Oregon and Washington with a wealth of natural elegance. The journey from Portland to Seattle can be ideal for exploring these amazing states if you’re looking for a short vacation.
It will take five hours to go the 300 miles from Portland to Seattle by driving. Notable places along the way are Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Seaside, and Lewis and Clark Historic State Park, which are located between the Pacific Coast route and the scenic mountain route.
Choosing a more scenic route rather than rushing will make this road trip a perfect weekend escape. For more details on the best route, locations to stay, and activities to do along the way, keep reading.
How long will the road trip take to travel from Portland to Seattle
| Route | Distance | Travel Time |
| Coastal Route | 270 miles | 5 hours |
| Mountain Route | 330 miles | 7 hours |
Whichever time of year where you wish to go, different routes are ideal for a road trip from Portland to Seattle. Take the coastline route if you are traveling in the winter; it will take you about five hours to cover 270 miles.
Try the 330-mile, seven-hour mountain route past Mount Rainier if you’re looking to experience some mountain beauty in the summer.
As the quickest route drives straight up Interstate 5 and isn’t very interesting, neither of these routes is the most direct. On the other hand, the coastal road will lead you through the rocky mountains and beaches between Washington and Oregon.
Until you reach Seattle, both routes keep away from larger towns. This means that there shouldn’t be any traffic congestion along the whole route.
Route offers the ideal road trip from Portland to Seattle
The best route depends on the time of year and the type of scenery you’re seeking. The coastal route is a better option in the winter. Take the mountain route if you like hiking and the scenery in the summer.
Our choices for the best driving routes from Portland to Seattle can be seen on the map above. For complete details of both routes, places to stay, and essential stops along the way, keep reading.
The Coastal Route
Leave Oregon by driving west on Highway 26. You will finally reach the coast via this route through Nehalem County Park. After joining with Highway 101, take a short turn to the south and reach Cannon Beach.
Drive Highway 101 north from Cannon Beach toward Seaside. Pass through the Columbia River to Washington. As Highway 101 travels around Willapa Bay, stay on it.
The town of Raymond and the Bone River Natural Area Preserve will be crossed. Following this, you’ll arrive at the Chehalis River. After crossing the river, continue on Route 8 until you pass Capitol State Forest on Highway 12 and then Route 8.
You can go right into Olympia on Route 8, but you’ll have to merge on Interstate 5. Continue along Interstate 5 to reach Seattle’s downtown after passing through the suburbs.
The Mountain Route
From Portland, drive north on Interstate 5 along the Columbia River. Proceed toward the famous Mount St. Helens using Route 504 after the town of Longview
Continue to Route 504 and then take Route 505 in the direction of Interstate 5. You’re about to be off Interstate 5 and onto Highway 12 for a short time.
Drive through Riffe Lake on Highway 12 in the direction of Mount Rainier National Park. Driving off Highway 12 to Route 123 will lead you to the Southeast Gate of Mount Rainier National Park.
Following there, you can enter the park through Stevens Canyon Road, which is closed in the winter. After visiting the park, continue back to Route 123 and drive north on it. Travel on Route 410 after joining with it to Enumclaw.
Travel Route 164 at Enumclaw before taking Route 18 northwest. You will head onto Interstate 5 in the Seattle suburbs to reach the city center.
The best places to stop while driving from Portland to Seattle
Due to this, the drive from Portland to Seattle is an excellent weekend trip. These are some suggestions or places for overnight stays along the route. If you want to spend a weekend traveling this way, you should stop in Seattle for a night and then another on the way home.
Enjoy Seaside’s richness of Oregon beauty
Located in the center of Seaside, the lovely Kathryn Riverfront Inn offers a stunning décor and a beachfront location. The well-known Cannon Beach is not too far away. This is the greatest choice if you want to relax to the sound of rising waves.
The lodgings are spacious and luxurious, with some having private balconies facing the village In addition, the Kathryn Riverfront Inn offers unique king rooms with hot tubs and fireplaces.
The Inn offers an excellent selection of facilities, including a gym, a hot tub, an indoor pool, and a sauna. In addition, they provide free coffee and cookies in the lobby and offer a free breakfast.
You’ll find a good number of shops and restaurants on the seaside, and surfers enjoy the beach. Stay the night at the Kathryn Riverfront Inn to discover the attractions of Oregon.
This hotel is in the middle of the road when it comes to Seaside Resorts. It provides the best facilities and service in the city for the cheapest rates, it is by far your best choice.
Enjoy the sights of Seattle’s downtown
You need to spend at least one night in downtown Seattle considering there is so much to see and do there. The Lotte Hotel provides a perfect combination of quality, affordability, and location to ensure that your trip to Seattle is one to remember.
The bedrooms of this five-star hotel have large windows that provide fantastic views of the bay and city. The hotel is significantly modern. Each room has all the facilities you might want and is nicely decorated.
With its private parking, the hotel is ideal for road trips. They have a sauna, a business center, and a fitness facility. To relax after an exhausting day, you can have a drink.
You can access everything this great city has to offer from a perfect location, which allows you to experience the sights of downtown Seattle. Though there are many cheaper options in Seattle, the place is certainly expensive; no nearby hotel comes close to matching it.
Things to see while traveling from Portland to Seattle by road
Portland to Seattle is a short but spectacular road trip. Try to give you at least a weekend to enjoy the trip, since there is plenty to see and do along the way. Here are a few of the top attractions to help you make the most of your road trip.
The Coastal Route
1-Seaside and Cannon Beach– are lovely seaside areas that make excellent overnight visits. Take in the local art culture, which draws inspiration from the wild Oregon Coast.
2- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park– to honor the brave explorers to visit Fort Clatsop and explore more about the Native American heritage.
3-Sunset Beach– is an ideal spot to take a walk along the shore and take in the stunning natural beauty of Oregon.
4-Fort Stevens– is a wonderful site to see. It was built to guard the Columbia River near the time of the American Civil War.
5-Wreck of Peter Iredale– Take a tour of this strange 1906 steel sailboat wreck.
6-Kurt Cobain Memorial Park– Located in Aberdeen, just over the Chehalis River, this memorial to Kurt Cobain is an essential stop for fans of Nirvana.
7-Capitol State Forest– When your road trip to Seattle concludes, plan a hike or picnic in Capitol State Forest.
The Mountain Route
1-Johnston Ridge Observatory -Discover more about the eruption by visiting Mt. St. Helens and, which is located right in the center of the exploding zone.
2-Reflection Lake: Photographers are aware of this lake as an ideal spot for capturing shots of the mountain. Mt. Rainier is perfectly reflected in the river on calm days.
3-Skyline Loop Trail– This 5.5-mile climb offers breathtaking sights of mountain meadows, glaciers, and gushing waterfalls, enabling you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Mount Rainier.
4-Myrtle Falls-Less than half a mile of easy hike leads to a stunning waterfall, offering another renowned view of Mount Rainier.
5-Crystal Peak trailhead– is a great spot to begin a more difficult climb up to Crystal Peak.
6-Sun Top Lookout– Situated at 5,270 feet above, this fire lookout offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys. Several trails lead to lookout from easy to challenging, making them an appealing choice for hikers with different levels of experience.
The ideal time to drive from Portland to Seattle?
You may take a road trip from Portland to Seattle at any time of year because there are several routes available. The layout of the coastline route makes it ideal for a year-round road trip. The mountain route, however, is not feasible in the winter.
A trip to this well-known mountain is made more difficult in winter. Mount St. Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory is open from May to October only.
The Nisqually and Carbon River openings to Mount Rainier National Park are the only ones that remain open during the winter. It is not possible to reach Mount Rainier by the mountain path during the winter.
Although there might be significant monthly variations, winter weather along the shore is generally fairly humid. Since it’s a slower time of year to visit along the shore, accommodations may be cheaper in the winter.
Seattle’s winter weather can be cold and rainy. December is the coldest month of the year, however, January and February are also quite chilly.
The shoulder seasons, when it’s usually cooler and calmer, can be excellent for visiting Mount Rainier. On the other hand, keep a look out for early snowfall that may affect roads.
Shoulder seasons are certainly an excellent time for a road trip from Portland to Seattle, even though the weather is a little bit uneven. sometimes There’s still a lot to see and do, and the vacation could be more economical with lower hotel rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a train ride from Portland to Seattle?
Amtrak train tickets from Portland to Seattle range from $40 to $51. The trip takes between 3 to 4 hours.
What’s the best way to travel from Portland to Seattle?
The most comfortable way to go from Portland to Seattle is by Amtrak train, which takes between three and four hours and is quite scenic. Alternatively, it takes roughly three hours to go through I-5.
Is the drive from Portland to Seattle nice?
Yes, there are magnificent landscapes of mountains, forests, and the Puget Sound along the I-5 route that leads from Portland to Seattle. It’s a nice drive, especially on clear days with little traffic.
How far is Portland to Seattle by plane?
It takes approximately 45 minutes to fly from Portland to Seattle, which is about 130 miles away. By plane, traveling between the two cities is short and easy.
How much is the bus from Seattle to Portland?
The average cost of a bus ticket from Seattle to Portland ranges from $20 to $50, depending on the service and time of booking. Charges may differ for services like BoltBus, FlixBus, and Greyhound.
Is Seattle expensive to travel?
Indeed, traveling to Seattle may be costly. Compared to other American cities, the cost of food and lodging is even more. However, there are inexpensive choices available, such as free attractions and subways.
What is the best time to travel from Seattle to Portland?
When the weather is nice and there is less traffic, spring or fall are the best times to travel from Seattle to Portland. Stay away of the peak summer weekends to avoid traffic jams and higher prices.
For more information kindly visit https://www.nps.gov
