The perfect 2-week Pacific Northwest road trip itinerary
Dreaming of green rainforests, dramatic coastlines, towering volcanoes, and cities all in one epic adventure? Then a road trip through the Pacific Northwest might just be the perfect escape. This region of the United States, stretching across Washington and Oregon, is packed with natural beauty, scenic drives, and unforgettable stops that make it ideal for a 2-week road trip.
In this blog post, I’ll share our 14-day itinerary through the Pacific Northwest, including iconic national parks like Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades, as well as city breaks in Seattle and Portland, coastal gems like Cannon Beach, and fascinating volcanic landscapes like Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood. Whether you’re a hiker, nature lover, or just love exploring diverse landscapes, this road trip hits all the highlights.
So, let’s explore the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer!
Before you go: planning your Pacific Northwest road trip
When is the best time to visit the PNW?
The best time to visit the Pacific Northwest is between May and October, with the summer months being peak season in terms of weather and crowds. Late September/early October has beautiful fall foliage and fewer crowds. All seasons have their pros and cons:
Spring (March-May):
- Pros: beautiful wildflowers and mild weather that is perfect for hiking
- Cons: it can still rain, especially in March and early April
Summer (June-August):
- Pros: warm and sunny weather, perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and enjoying the beaches and lakes
- Cons: it can get very busy, and prices are higher
Fall (September-November):
- Pros: fewer crowds with beautiful fall foliage and pleasant temperatures
- Cons: there is more rain compared to summer
Winter (December-February):
- Pros: winter sports in the mountains
- Cons: It can get cold, and a lot of roads are closed in the National Parks
We did our road trip at the end of September and had some very nice weather. Some parts were crowded (like Olympic NP and Mount Rainier), but nothing too bad. The weather was also perfect for hiking, but unfortunately, we also had some rain.
Where to stay during your road trip
We did a mix of hotels/motels via booking.com and Expedia, and Airbnb/VRBO because a lot of the hotels near the national parks were already booked. So, book far in advance if you want to stay in or near the parks. If you are staying in little towns or more remote areas, plan grocery shopping, food, and getting gas. There are not always possibilities in the parks.
How to get around: car rental and driving tips
To explore the Pacific Northwest, a car or camper is needed. You can pick up your vehicle either in Seattle or Portland, depending on where you fly to. We booked our car through Sunnycars, but you could also use Rentalcars for some good deals. You could also rent a camper or go camping. There are numerous campgrounds in the National Parks. You might want to check if a reservation is needed. We booked our accommodation well in advance because the area can be very popular, with a limited number of budget options.
If you drive in mountain areas like Mount Rainier, remember that it can be misty and rainy, and the weather can change quickly. So always drive carefully and adjust your speed to the conditions, especially on the mountain passes. Always be aware of your surroundings and potential wildlife encounters.
Always take a reliable navigation system: we always download Google Maps so we can use offline maps. Maps.me is also an option, and when possible, we used Waze as our main navigation. Or you can rent a GPS with your rental car.
What to pack for a 2-week road trip
It will all depend on the season you are going to and what you will be doing. If you are like us and love hiking, you will need some hiking shoes. Hiking poles can be handy, especially if you have weaker knees. A rain jacket is also a must-have when going to the Pacific Northwest, and if possible, a rain shell. We always dress in layers so we can always take some layers off when the sun starts to shine (or if we get warm from hiking). A fleece is nice, together with comfortable hiking pants or leggings.
Always make sure you bring enough water and snacks, and also use sunscreen when hiking in the mountains.
The ultimate 2-week PNW road trip itinerary
Day 1: Seattle
We flew into Seattle and did a day of exploring. If you want to know what we did, check out this post. For us, 1 day in Seattle was enough to see all the highlights.
Day 2-4: North Cascades NP
On our second day, we picked up our rental car and did some grocery shopping. We drove to our first destination: North Cascades National Park. We visited the main viewpoints and did the short Thunder Knob hike. We stayed at Concrete, a very small town with some hotels and restaurants.
The next 2 days, we did 1 hike each day: Maple Pass and Cutthroat Pass. When we were there, part of the National Park was closed due to wildfires. So, we couldn’t do an entire area of the park. More information about North Cascades National Park can be found in this blog post.
Day 5: drive to Mt Rainier
It was a driving day again, this time towards Mount Rainier NP. On our way, we made a stop at the Microsoft Campus. There is a little museum there that is free to visit, with the history of Microsoft and its products. There is also a shop where you can buy some Microsoft and Xbox merchandise.
We also stopped at Snoqualmie Falls. This is an 82m waterfall that is most famous for its appearance in Twin Peaks. There is a small park, an observation deck, and a gift shop. At the Snoqualmie Falls, there is a hydroelectric plant, the world’s first completely underground power plant. In the gift shop, there is some information about the area and its importance to the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.
We still had some time left when we arrived at Mount Rainier National Park, so we decided to do the Trail of Shadows. It’s also the perfect time to ask the rangers for the weather forecast for the next days (if you are planning on staying a couple of days). That way, you can plan the best day to do, for example, the Skyline Loop trail with excellent views of Mount Rainier.
Plan your trip to the Pacific Northwest like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Seattle or Portland on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in the US at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
Day 6-7: Mt Rainier
If you love hiking, you can do one long hike each day (depending on the weather). Or you can do 1 long hike on day 1 and multiple shorter hikes on day 2. And don’t forget to also do some viewpoints along the way, and maybe listen to a ranger talk. You can read all about our exploration of Mount Rainier here.
Day 8: Portland
On this day, we drove towards Portland pretty early so we could still do some exploring. The exploring we did was mainly visiting some beer bars. The first one we visited was Backwoods Brewing Company, where we shared a flight of beers. The beers were ok, but it was a very cozy place to just relax. Next, we went to Deschutes Brewery again for some beers, but also dinner. Their burgers are amazing, as well as their beers. Definitely a must when in Portland. For dinner, I would also recommend Raising Cane’s and Butterfly Belly.
There wasn’t much to do in Portland, but it was the perfect place to do some day trips to Mt St Helens and Mt Hood over the next days. Our hotel in Portland was the worst hotel we had on our trip, so you could probably find better options on Booking (check the reviews 😉 )
Day 9: day trip to Mt Hood
We drove bright and early towards Mt Hood. After a stop at the visitor center, we hiked towards Tamanawas Falls. We had a quick lunch before visiting the famous Timberline lodge, before ending with the short hike to Mirror Lake. All the details can be found in this blog post.
Day 10: day trip to Mt Saint Helens
When you go to Mt Saint Helens for just 1 day, you have to decide which side you will do. We opted for the side of the crater, but weren’t lucky enough to see it due to the clouds. All information about visiting Mt Saint Helens for a day can be found here.
Day 11: drive to the coast + Astoria + Olympic
Today we are driving towards the coast. If you want, you can make a stop at the airplane in the woods, but because we were planning on driving towards Olympic NP this day, we decided not to. Our first stop was Cannon Beach for a short beach walk and some pictures. Next up was Ecola State Park, where you see a sign about the Goonies. A part of the movie was filmed here.
If you are a Goonies film fan, a stop in Astoria is a must. You can visit the small film museum that will definitely look familiar. More things to do in Astoria can be found here.
After Astoria, we drove towards Olympic National Park. We made some small stops: we hiked the Rain Forest Nature Trail (where we were the only ones) and also saw the world’s record sitka spruce. Then it was time to drive towards Forks, where we will be staying for 2 nights.
Day 12-15: Olympic NP
The next days we used to explore more of Olympic National Park. The first day, we visited Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach as well as hiked the Spruce Nature Trail.
For the next 2 days, we stayed in Sequim to explore other parts of the parks without having to drive too far. All information about things to do in Olympic National Park can be found in this blog post. I would recommend dividing the park into different parts and visiting one part at a time. This way, you don’t lose a lot of time driving.
For our last night, we stayed in Shelton because we needed to drive back to Seattle, and we wanted to already drive a part of it.
Day 16: Seattle
After dropping off your car, you can explore more of the city if you want. You could decide to stay another night to see more.
Road Trip Tips & Customization Options
Shorter Version (7–10 Days)
If you only have a limited time to visit the Pacific Northwest, I would focus on the bigger National Parks. You could start in Seattle and first visit Mount Rainier before going to Portland. You could use Cannon Beach as a stop on your way to Olympic National Park before going back to Seattle.
What to skip will all depend on your interests. If you like hiking, I would recommend going to the North Cascades and Mount Rainier. If you prefer easier strolls and just stunning nature, I would skip the North Cascades and only focus on Mount Rainier and/or Olympic National Park.
Longer Version (3 Weeks+)
If you have more time, I would add the Columbia River Gorge to your itinerary and maybe spend more time along the Oregon Coast. If you want, you could even go to Vancouver, Canada, for a few days.
If you like hiking, you could do some multi-day hikes or hike part of the PCT.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I do this trip in reverse order?
You could definitely do this trip in reverse order because you start and end in Seattle. You could even start and end in Portland if you have better prices flying into that airport.
Do I need any park passes or permits?
For some parks, you need a national park pass, like Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier. For North Cascades National Park, no pass is needed to enter the park, but some trailheads require a National Forest Recreation Pass that can be bought at a gas station or ranger station.
How much does a 2-week road trip through the Pacific Northwest cost?
In total, we spend about €6500 for 2 people for 2,5 weeks in September 2024. The plane ticket will, of course, depend on where you are flying from, but it was €1800 for us from Brussels. Tips to find the cheapest flights can be found here.
Our car rental, gasoline, and parking cost around €1000, while hotels were €2200 (6 hotels/motels and 2 Airbnb). We bought some groceries for lunch and breakfast, and spent €170 on that. For dinner and in the cities, we went out to restaurants, which cost us €1100. Entrance fees and activities were another €200.
Compared to other areas in the US, the Pacific Northwest was more expensive than we would have thought. Especially hotels were expensive compared to the level of comfort you get.
Conclusion
A two-week Pacific Northwest road trip is the perfect blend of dramatic landscapes, outdoor adventure, charming towns, and cinematic nostalgia. Starting and ending in Seattle, this itinerary guides you through some of the region’s most unforgettable destinations: the rugged peaks of North Cascades National Park, the glaciers of Mount Rainier, the volcanic power of Mount St. Helens, and the alpine beauty of Mount Hood. Add in the real-life filming locations of The Goonies along the Oregon Coast, and the stunning rainforests and beaches of Olympic National Park, and you’ve got a road trip filled with diverse experiences around every turn.
Whether you’re hiking mountain ridges, exploring cities, or simply taking in the views while driving, this route captures everything that makes the Pacific Northwest so special.
If you’re dreaming of a road trip that feels both epic and accessible, one with jaw-dropping nature, adventure at your own pace, and endless opportunities to explore, the Pacific Northwest absolutely delivers.
Plan your trip to the Pacific Northwest like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Seattle or Portland on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in the US at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
Maybe these articles are also interesting?
Exploring North Cascades National Park
1 day in Seattle
Visiting Mount Rainier National Park
Ultimate Guide to Ruby Beach
Visit The Goonies Film Locations
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