This post is all about pacific northwest road trip.
Before road-tripping throughout the Pacific Northwest, I didn’t know what to expect. One thing I definitely didn’t expect was for Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming to be so cold in August.
We visited places in this area such as Yellowstone National Park, Portland, the Columbia River, Coeur d’Alene, and Seattle. Besides properly checking the weather, prepare to constantly be staring out your car window because the sights will enchant you.
You are going to learn some ideas on how to plan your route for a Pacific Northwest road trip 10 days, a Pacific Northwest road trip map, and the best towns in the Pacific Northwest. You should feel more confident you’ll get to everywhere you want when you go!
This post is all about pacific northwest road trip.
Pacific Northwest Road Trip
Day 1: Portland, Oregon
We flew to Portland and rented a car to drive all over the five states. The receptionist at the hotel we stayed at told us the best way to see Portland was to take the train. We decided to do this for the day and stop anywhere that we wanted to explore further.
Brunch: Cadillac Cafe
We ate at a brunch place called Cadillac Cafe first since we weren’t sure the next time we might eat.
It’s a popular brunch place in Portland, apparently, the locals love it and I’ll trust their judgment. If you don’t eat meat, they have a good amount of options which was refreshing. There was only street parking but it wasn’t a very busy area.
Train Ride Through Portland
The train route led us all the way to the outskirts of Portland and straight through so it’s an especially great view of the city. Just know, the train is extremely run down and you may just want to drive.
We got off at Washington Park which was one of our stops farther along the route. It’s best to get by using the shuttle in the park since it’s free. Although we didn’t stay long, we made sure to visit the rose garden before boarding the train again.
On our way back into the downtown area of Portland, we got off to check out the statue of Portlandia. It’s the second-biggest copper statue after the Statue of Liberty.
Day 2: Mount Hood and Vancouver, Washington
On our second day of staying in Portland, we decided to take a drive after mainly viewing downtown Portland. We took the scenic route which goes along the Columbia River and leads to Mount Hood.
Since Portland is on the border of Washington, we decided to see what Vancouver was like. After Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma, Vancouver is the most populated city in Washington state.
Columbia River/Mount Hood Scenic Drive
Although there were plenty of places to admire, our first stop was in Corbett, Oregon, at Rooster Rock State Park. It was a cool spot that seemed to be used for camping and having barbecues, picnics, and such. The day we drove through, there seemed to be a mini-concert going on.
From route I-84, you’ll be able to see the Bridge of the Gods. If you’re a fan of Twilight, this is the same bridge Bella and her dad drive down at the beginning of the movie.
When you get to Hood River, take Route 35 South towards Mount Hood. Hood River’s got a nice downtown area to stop and walk around, especially if you’re looking to take a break from all the driving.
You’ll be able to see Mount Hood along this way but you can drive up the mountain as well. There’s an entrance on Route 26 to get to Timberline Lodge after you curve past it. The view from the top of the mountain, especially with the misty fog, was unforgettable.
Vancouver, Washington
After a long day of admiring the scenery, we headed north of Portland to the fourth biggest city in Washington.
Vancouver is right across the Columbia River entering Washington. You’re better off visiting it during your stay in Portland rather than Seattle.
Dinner: Wildfin American Grill
Wildfin American Grill was one of many places to dine on the strip overlooking Vancouver’s waterfront. Besides the view, the ambiance and the food/drinks were delicious.
Try the “Cajun Chicken Fettucine” if you ever eat here. My brother loved this dish so much that he kept comparing it to everything else he ate for the rest of the trip!
Vancouver Waterfront
We decided to take a walk after dinner, especially since we were already on the waterfront. It was getting closer to sunset, but that didn’t deter anyone. The strip was very lively filled with performers, people making conversation, and boats sailing by.
{RELATED POST: Trip to Portland Oregon: A Two Day Travel Guide}
Day 3: Driving to Boise, Idaho
We left Portland early this morning because we wanted to get to Boise by the end of the day. We stopped in Bend, Oregon on our way and other scenic sites.
However, this day was mainly driving. Hundreds of miles of driving.
Bend, Oregon
I was reading Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo and if you know, you know this book is so addicting. Despite that, my attention was pulled outside my window often.
On our way to Bend, it was like nonstop mountains and rivers and parks. No complaints though except for the steady loss of phone storage.
Lunch: Pastini
Bend is 160 miles from Portland, so we were excited to get out of the car and change our pace. We stopped at a mall complex and walked around.
It was an outdoor mall with a small park area nearby. We stayed there until our table was ready.
Bend to Boise
After lunch, we had a 300-mile drive ahead of us on a one-lane highway. I think this was the longest stretch of driving we did on this road trip without passing really any towns.
Seriously, make sure you have gas and snacks. There’s nothing for at least the first 50 miles.
And of course, I was driving this time.
Day 4: Boise, Idaho
By the time we reached Boise, it must’ve been close to midnight. In the morning, we planned on driving around Idaho’s capital and visiting the capital building.
Table Rock and the Capitol Building
First, we drove up to Table Rock which is a popular trail for hiking. However, we mainly wanted to see the view of Boise from up there.
On our way to the capitol building is when I fully realized that Boise wasn’t as scenic as the places we visited the first three days. It felt completely different from Portland, Bend, and Vancouver. Not in a bad way, just different.
The best way I can describe the city is it was very commercial. It had lots of restaurants and stores, new community developments, and other structures being built.
The drive to the capitol building was pretty short from Table Rock since it’s near downtown Boise. And that’s capital number 2 we got to visit so far!
Dinner: Old Chicago
The most exciting part of visiting Boise for us was visiting family we hadn’t seen in a while. Family, I literally haven’t seen since before I started remembering life.
After driving around the capital we met up at Old Chicago. This was my first day trying this restaurant out. It’s basic cuisine like Applebee’s with pizza, wings, and other foods like that.
We had a good time despite my little cousins’ mischiefs and rowdiness. After dinner and saying goodbye to family, we drove from Boise to Idaho Falls.
Day 5: Yellowstone National Park
On this day we drove from Idaho Falls to Island Park/West Yellowstone. There we ate and filled up our gas before entering Yellowstone National Park.
Island Park Idaho to Yellowstone
The city of Idaho Falls is 90 minutes from Yellowstone. Before leaving for the park, we walked by Snake River, which runs through it.
When we got to West Yellowstone, we filled up on gas and tried to find something to eat before going into the park.
There was a little cafe in one of the souvenir shops so we got some coffee. It was really good actually, but I don’t think that came as a surprise to me. One thing about this trip is I saw so many coffee shops. If you’re a coffee-lover, the Pacific Northwest is where you need to be.
Yellowstone National Park
Entering Yellowstone National Park
Grand Loop Road Yellowstone
Fountain Paint Pots
Yellowstone Park Volcanoes
Old Faithful
We couldn’t leave the park without seeing Yellowstone’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful eruption. I hope you enjoy the commentary during the video too, which I fully don’t remember hearing when filming this.
Leaving Yellowstone
Day 6: Exploring Montana and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
We drove to Bozeman after the sunset at Yellowstone. Our plan was to get to Spokane, Washington by the end of the day.
We were in three states during this drive. We started in Montana, visited Coeur d’Alene in Idaho, and stopped when we got to Washington.
Bozeman to Helena
Meals on this trip weren’t always glamorous, especially since we had hours of driving ahead of us.
We checked out of our hotel in Bozeman, Montana around 10 am to go in the direction of Spokane, Washington.
Driving through Montana State University on our way out of Bozeman.
Bozeman Downtown: it felt like one of those quaint downtown areas you can’t help but walk around and check out all of the local shops.
Helena, Montana
Helena was the third state capital we visited on this road trip!
We were thinking of driving to Salt Lake City and maybe even Cheyenne, but we decided we’d rather spend more time in Seattle.
Montana State Capitol
Driving from Helena to Missoula
Missoula
Driving from Helena to Missoula is about a two-hour drive so by the time we got to Missoula, I was eager to see something new. But after my no doubt amazing breakfast, I was feeling a little hungry.
Once we reached Missoula I started looking for an acai place because I’m obsessed with fruit bowls. And I did!
I was so happy but it’s the little things in life we forget. I missed the acai shop I would go to all the time at home.
From what I remember in the midst of my hunger and fatigue cloud, Missoula was a nice town. The downtown area reminded me of Bozeman, filled with its shops and cute decor. It was one of many gracious places I was lucky enough to visit on this road trip.
Coeur d’Alene
The highway we took to travel through Montana to Spokane, I-90, passed through Coeur d’Alene as well. Since it was on our way, and seeing on a map it’s one of the only sizable towns that appear in northern Idaho, we decided to visit it.
Plus, we thought the name was cool. It’s in french if you were wondering, meaning “Heart of the Awl”. It was used to refer to the Indigenous American tribe the French traded with due to their sharpness, similar to the tool.
Coeur d’Alene is one of the bigger towns in Idaho, but it really did feel like a hidden gem to me.
Day 7: Spokane to Seattle
The drive from Coeur d’Alene to Spokane the day before was short. And today we weren’t planning to stay very long in Spokane as we wanted to reach Seattle by dusk.
Spokane
I was irrationally excited to finally be in Spokane considering I didn’t know anything about the city. I didn’t know anything except one thing: it’s mentioned in one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite songwriters, Ray LaMontagne.
If you know it, comment which song I’m talking about!
After driving around Spokane seeing Gonzaga University, an interesting-looking building that we later found out was Spokane’s Superior Court, and other sites, we headed toward Seattle.
Columbia River
On our way traveling down I-90, we drove by the Columbia River. It was one of the most unbelievable things to stand at the edge of and take in. The river was the only thing I could see for miles in front of me.
Day 8: Downtown Seattle
We bought Seattle Center city passes which allowed us to visit Seattle’s icon, The Space Needle, and see the city from its observation deck.
It’s a lot cheaper to see attractions and the museums in Downtown Seattle by getting the city pass. And driving was the best bet to get around the city, unlike in Portland (sort of).
{RELATED POST: Seattle Travel Guide: 3 Days in Washington}
The Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit
I really wanted to go to a museum this whole trip and when I searched for the best museums in the Pacific Northwest, this one came up.
I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest appreciator of the visual arts. However, I was trying to be open-minded, not wanting to judge art before I even see it / experience it.
My inner nerd and curious nature were not disappointed. The glass art, the colors, the lighting… it was like being under a wonderful spell.
Space Needle
After visiting the glass exhibit, we waited to get our tickets to go up to the observation deck. The line went by pretty quickly despite the time of year.
You can essentially see the entire city just by circling the observation deck. It was a breathtaking view from the top, one I couldn’t stop looking at.
The weather was perfect the day I went up to the observation deck of the Space Needle, which made the sights even more inspiring.
Dinner: Taste of the Caribbean
This restaurant was one of the few in the area that stayed open late and had vegetarian options for me. You can’t really go wrong with authentic Jamaican food, as the restaurant advertises.
It was delicious, it was filling, and the service was very quick.
Day 9: Mount Rainier
After sightseeing in downtown Seattle, we decided to change the scenery up and visit Mount Rainier. Our goal was to get as close to Mount Rainier as possible. You can see the mountain from afar in Seattle but it’s definitely worth it to visit Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Rainier
The road, similar to some areas of Yellowstone, was somewhat scary to drive on. They lacked railings and some drivers were really aggressive. When we drove up to Mount Hood it didn’t feel as risky, maybe because there were better railings and it was less crowded.
We were several miles up the mountain when I realized we were almost out of gas. It was frustrating to turn around, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Lunch: Wapiti Outdoors
We drove back to the town of Enumclaw, where we entered Mount Rainier Park. After we filled up on gas, we were all wanting something to eat.
By the restrooms, there was this souvenir shop/cafe called Wapiti Outdoors. I saw a bunch of people eating ice cream, which made us want to check out what they had. I got the huckleberry and sour apple flavors and pizza.
I’d been seeing huckleberry-flavored things during this trip since the berries are native to this region and the flavor did not disappoint!
Back to Mount Rainier
After filling up on food, we re-entered the park and took a different route because it was making us all nervous.
Originally, we were headed to an area of the park called Paradise. When we changed routes, we unknowingly ended up at the highest elevation you could see Mount Rainier at.
Day 10: Driving all Over Washington State
On this day we simply drove from place to place, all over Washington state. We drove from Seattle to Tacoma to Olympia to Forks, then back to Seattle. When we got to Forks we drove by Lake Crescent and visited the city of Port Angeles.
We just drove from early morning to late at night. This whole trip to the Pacific Northwest was a road trip, but this day, in particular, was a mini road trip itself.
Seattle to Tacoma and Olympia
I drove us to Tacoma first, but we didn’t really feel moved to walk around the city. Instead, we viewed it from inside our car. My best impressions of Tacoma are colorful; it was colorful aesthetically, but also from the perspectives of those who resided there.
We made our way to Olympia, the capital of Washington. We drove around the downtown area but got out to walk by the capitol buildings.
Twilight Forks, Washington
I couldn’t be in Seattle, four hours away from the Twilight Forks, Washington, and not go there. It’s partially because I expressed this multiple times that we ended up also visiting parts of Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, and the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
From Olympia, we drove straight to Forks. Exhausted from driving all day, I took a nap only to wake up to this iconic sign. If you’ve seen the movies, you should know what I’m talking about.
I’m not sure why we entered the information center, but I’m glad we did. The lady here was the biggest Twilight fan and kindly gave us maps so we could go on our own guided tour.
Olympia National Park
Lake Crescent
On our way from Forks to Port Angeles, we drove into Olympic National Park to be greeted by this lovely deep water, crystal lake surrounded by rolling forested hills.
Port Angeles
We visited the waterfront area where the boardwalk is, Port Angeles’ historic downtown area.
The air was cool and solemn despite the strength of the sun. In the distance, we could see Canada, lying behind a thick sheet of dark clouds that moved from here to there.
Pacific Northwest Road Trip 10 Days
We went from Oregon to Idaho, Idaho to Yellowstone, Yellowstone to Montana, Montana to Idaho then finally Washington.
You need to add the Pacific Northwest to your travel bucket list, the scenery is honestly unforgettable, magical, and serene.
There were certain destinations we could have visited such as Vancouver, Canada, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, if we’d had a few more days. So of course, this trip could be longer or shorter depending on what you most want to see.
My top recommendations if nothing else would be Seattle and the surrounding area, Yellowstone National Park, the Mount Hood scenic drive, and Vancouver WA.
This post was all about pacific northwest road trip.
