Most Scenic Road Trips in Washington, United States
1. Mountain Loop Highway
A picturesque drive through the Cascade Range offering breathtaking views of glaciers, lakes and wildflowers.
- Glacier Views: Provides close-up views of several glaciers
- Lake Scenery: Offers scenic stops at various pristine lakes
- Wildlife Sightings: Possibility of seeing black bears, elk and deer
2. Hurricane Ridge Road
An alpine drive with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and wildflower meadows.
- Alpine Views: Provides panoramic views of the Olympic mountain range
- Wildflower Meadows: Lush meadows blooming with a variety of wildflowers in summer
- Deer and Elk Spotting: Opportunity to see deer, elk and mountain goats up close
3. Steptoe-Klein Scenic Byway
A historic drive through the Palouse region showcasing rolling hills, farmlands and steep canyons.
- Palouse Hills: Offers a unique landscape of rolling hills and wheat fields
- Historic Sites: Passes through several historic sites like Fort Walla Walla and Wallace
- Steep Canyons: Features dramatic views of deep, steep canyons
4. North Cascades Highway
A scenic drive through the North Cascades National Park with stunning mountain views, waterfalls and wildlife.
- Mountain Scenery: Provides breathtaking views of some of Washington's highest peaks
- Waterfalls: Offers numerous stops to see cascading waterfalls
- Wildlife Opportunities: Chance to spot black bears, cougars and wolves in their natural habitat
5. San Juan Island Loop
A scenic drive around San Juan Island featuring beautiful coastal views, lighthouses and vineyards.
- Coastal Views: Offers stunning ocean vistas and opportunities to see seals and orcas
- Historic Lighthouses: Visit historic lighthouses like the American Memorial Lighthouse
- Wine Tasting: Stops at local wineries for wine tasting and tours
6. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Route
A scenic drive through the Skagit Valley during the annual tulip festival showcasing a rainbow of colors.
- Tulip Fields: Drive through fields of colorful tulips stretching as far as the eye can see
- Annual Festival: Experience local culture and events during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
- Scenic Viewpoints: Stop at picturesque viewpoints along the route for stunning photos
7. Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway
A scenic drive following the Columbia River with dramatic cliffs, waterfalls and historic sites.
- Cliff Views: Features steep cliffs along the Columbia River
- Waterfalls: Passes by famous waterfalls like Multnomah Falls and Bridal Veil Falls
- Historic Sites: Drives past historical sites such as the Bonneville Dam
8. Deception Pass State Park Loop
A scenic drive through Deception Pass State Park featuring stunning views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.
- Puget Sound Views: Offers breathtaking views of Puget Sound
- Cascade Mountain Glimpses: Provides glimpses of the Cascade Mountains across the sound
- Hiking Opportunities: Offers numerous hiking trails for exploring the park
9. Palouse to Coulee Scenic Byway
A scenic drive through rolling hills, wheat fields, and deep canyons in the Palouse region.
- Rolling Hills: Offers a unique landscape of rolling hills and wheat fields
- Deep Canyons: Features dramatic views of deep, steep canyons
- Historic Sites: Passes through several historic sites like the Palouse Falls State Park
10. Cascade Loop Highway
A scenic drive through the Cascade Range showcasing volcanic peaks, alpine lakes and forests.
- Volcanic Peaks: Provides views of several active and dormant volcanic peaks
- Alpine Lakes: Offers scenic stops at numerous alpine lakes
- Forests: Drives through diverse forests, including old-growth forest groves
11. Ocean Shores Loop
A scenic drive along the coast of Washington featuring beaches, dunes and seaside towns.
- Beaches: Offers stunning ocean views and opportunities for beach walks
- Dunes: Passes by dramatic sand dunes along the coast
- Seaside Towns: Drives through quaint seaside towns like Ocean Shores and Long Beach
12. Sun Mountain Loop
A scenic drive through the Methow Valley showcasing snow-capped peaks, forests and vineyards.
- Snow-Capped Peaks: Provides views of snow-capped peaks in the North Cascades
- Vineyards: Stops at local wineries for wine tasting and tours
- Forests: Drives through diverse forests, including old-growth forest groves
13. Sauk-Suiattle River Scenic Byway
A scenic drive through the Skagit and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests showcasing rivers, waterfalls and forests.
- Rivers: Follows the Sauk and Suiattle Rivers through pristine forest landscapes
- Waterfalls: Features several stunning waterfalls, including Ostrander Falls
- Forests: Drives through diverse forests, including old-growth forest groves
14. Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway
A scenic drive along the Columbia River following Lewis and Clark's historic journey showcasing historical sites, forests and waterfalls.
- Historical Sites: Passes by several historical sites significant to Lewis and Clark's expedition
- Forests: Drives through diverse forests, including old-growth forest groves
- Waterfalls: Features several stunning waterfalls along the route
15. Pacific Coast Route
A scenic drive along Washington's coastline featuring ocean views, cliffs, lighthouses and seaside towns.
- Ocean Views: Offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean
- Cliffs: Passes by dramatic cliffs along the coastline
- Lighthouses and Seaside Towns: Drives through quaint seaside towns like Forks, La Push and Aberdeen