Final Up to date on June 6, 2023 by Laura

The most effective issues about Seattle, apart from nice espresso and music, is its proximity to beautiful ecosystems, landscapes, and cities just a few hours from town. Wish to discover one of the best of the Pacific Northwest? Listed here are one of the best street journeys from Seattle.

Fabulous Highway Journeys from Seattle

Mount Rainier Nationwide Park

61 miles / 1.5 hrs.

Head south from Seattle through I-5 S, then take WA-410 E towards Mount Rainier Nationwide Park, which surrounds glacier-capped, 14,410-ft. Mount Rainier—an energetic volcano. Fields of wildflowers unfold all through the park, and wildlife reminiscent of bears, eagles, and elk are considerable. Be sure you go to the Tolmie Peak Hearth Lookout for superb mountain views or the less-trafficked Summit Lake Path, which has smaller crowds than a few of the different areas. Make a cease for lunch with a view on the historic Paradise Inn, a soothing retreat contained in the park. 

Olympic Peninsula

110 miles / 2 hrs.

Simply two hours from Seattle through I-5 S and US-101 N is the Olympic Peninsula, dwelling to Olympic Nationwide Park. It’s one of the crucial numerous Nationwide Parks with a sweeping number of surroundings, landscapes, wildlife, and local weather. You’ll see alpine mountains, pebbly seashores, and a temperate rainforest. The central function of the park is 8,000-foot Mt. Olympus, fairly fashionable with climbers.

Leavenworth

135 miles / 2.5 hrs.

You might fly to Germany…or you might drive 2.5 hours east from Seattle alongside I-90 E and US-97 N to Leavenworth. This Bavarian village is a mountain city with all the normal German touches you’d anticipate: pretzel outlets, beer halls, a Bavarian Lodge, and an Oktoberfest that may compete with the true occasion in Munich. Plus, Leavenworth is close to nice snowboarding and wineries.

Vancouver

143 miles / 2 hrs. 45 minutes.

Drive north from Seattle alongside I-5 towards the Canadian border. (Tip: The Aldergrover crossing is barely out of the way in which however normally has a shorter wait time.) On the opposite facet of the border, you’ll discover putting mountains, cerulean ocean, lush rainforests, and beautiful foliage—that’s what makes Vancouver one of many world’s most lovely cities. Because of all its pure magnificence, Vancouver is a hub for outside adventures like biking and mountain climbing. It’s additionally an ethnically numerous metropolis with a burgeoning arts, theater, and music scene.

San Juan Islands

109 miles / 3 hrs. 15 minutes.

To achieve the San Juan Islands, drive about 90 minutes north from Seattle alongside I-5 N to the Washington State ferry terminal in Anacortes. From there, you may take a passenger ferry to this archipelago that’s beloved for its unimaginable wildlife. The most well-liked islands inside the chain are San Juan Island, Lopez Island, and Orcas Island (aptly named for its orca recognizing). Across the islands, you’ll additionally see humpbacks, minke whales, and grey whales, plus sea lions, porpoises, and harbor seals. At evening, take a kayak tour to see bioluminescent microorganisms gentle up the water with a glowing inexperienced burst of sunshine. 

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