
You start in Sedro-Wooley on the west side of the Cascades and take State Route 20 until you arrive in Twisp on the east side. The one thing to keep in mind is that the highway is closed during the winter – from November into May, so this is best as a summer road trip or fall scenic drive. You won’t be missing much, because even though it’s shorter, it still packs in a ton of fun and amazing scenery. If you don’t have the time or patience for the whole Cascade Loop, try shortening your tour of the Cascades by hitting the North Cascades Highway! Plan for at least 5 days to take everything in. The highlight of the trip is the North Cascades and there are plenty of excellent hikes to check out, but one we recommend is the Cascade Pass Trail, which is an easy trail with a gorgeous view at the end. Heading back west, make sure you go through the Skagit Valley – if it’s the right time of year, you can see the famous Tulip Festival – and then drive along Whidbey Island. The loop starts in Seattle and from there you head east over to Leavenworth on Highway 2, which is a great place to stop for a beer and some food in a unique setting.Ĭontinue from there past Wenatchee and get on Highway 97 to pass Lake Chelan, the deepest lake in the state.įrom Chelan, things get especially scenic going through the Methow Valley and over the Cascades on the North Cascade Highway. It’s about 11 hours total of driving, and while you could do it in 2 days, we really recommend at least 5 to take it all in properly. The pinnacle of Washington State road tripping is The Cascade Loop! Here are our favorite drives in Washington State and where to stop along the way for each. The Best Washington Road TripsĪnd now, time for some Washington road trip itineraries! That’s true, and if you’re planning your road trip over a weekend in the summer, you’ll probably be safe and dry.īut, if you’re going to be doing your trip at any other time of the year, you should have water-resistant clothing on hand. If you’ve heard one thing about Washington State, it’s probably that it gets lots of rain.

If you feel yourself nodding off, you can have a pack of gum handy to keep your body up for the drive, or you could use something with a peppermint scent to keep you alert and attentive. The repetitive process of chewing gum, of any kind, increases circulation along with alertness. Another thing to consider is planning a break between 1 and 3 pm because that’s when people become naturally drowsy - not a good time to be driving! Chew some gum. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep the two nights leading up to your trip and it’s best to start in the morning unless you’re planning to take a break early in the trip.Īlso make sure that you’re taking regular breaks throughout, roughly every 100 miles. You should feel a satisfied exhaustion after your road trip, not an anxious exhaustion before the road trip! There are a few things to consider before heading on the road, especially if you’ll be going on a long road trip and we’ll cover them here. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.


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