Best Drives in Washington State

There are plenty of great drives in Washington State! The scenic views can be found all over the state, you just have to know where to find them. No matter where you go in Washington state, you want to be sure that you are taking the right precautions so you can enjoy your trip worry-free. With Wrench’s ASE-certified mobile mechanics, you will have a friendly face to give you the good-to-go before you embark on one of our highly recommended drives in Washington State. Give us a call or fill out the form on our website to get your convenient service today!

1. Chinook Scenic Byway
   This 96 mile drive through the Wenatchee National Forest is best during the summer and fall seasons. In this drive you will be able to catch a glimpse of Mount Rainier, one of Washington's many active volcanoes. Along the way you could pull over and spend some time camping or hiking. If you choose to go hiking, you could experience more of the Washington’s wonders with the spectacular views. If you head in the direction towards Naches, at the end of this drive you could either head back towards Seattle to experience a contrast with city life, or you could head deeper into Washington towards Yakima Valley.
2. Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway
   The Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway is 151 miles of scenic views along the Grand Coulee Dam. Right across from the dam, you can find a nice picnic area to sit back and relax or stretch your legs a little bit with a great view of the whole dam. The Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric facility in all of Washington State! If you continue along the road, you will find Steamboat Rock State Park. Here you can enjoy time at the beach, perfect for a family trip in Washington State. There is also camping areas nearby if you would rather stay and spend more time here rather than driving to a hotel or back home.
3. Lewis and Clark Memorial Highway
   With this drive, you can follow the Columbia River and see the journey that Lewis and Clark took! It is 176 miles long and you can easily cross over the river to Oregon State. Oregon State also has some amazing drives so you can enjoy what both states have to offer. There are plenty of attractions along the way, so make sure this drive is at least a full day experience if you’d like to stop and visit any national parks, dams, or hatcheries.
4. Mount Adams Drive
   Mount Adams is the second tallest volcano after Mount Rainier, therefore it also gives picture perfect views. The Mount Adams drive is 62 miles long and is best in the summer or fall season. Within this drive, you will encounter some gravel roads, so please plan accordingly. You may also need to purchase a Pacific Northwest Forest Pass to enjoy the whole drive’s beauty. Bring good walking shoes or stuff for a picnic because there will be spots to walk along a trail, hike, or just relax with the views.
5. Mount Baker Highway
   For this drive, you may also need to purchase a Pacific Northwest Forest Pass. The Mount Baker Highway is 46 miles long and goes all the way up to a spot where you can park and continue climbing up the mountain on foot. During the drive you might spot a couple waterfalls, or some salmon swimming upstream. Along the way there is a lake where you can spend time at the beach with family or friends, or you can rent a boat and spend some time on the water.
6. North Cascades Highway
   The 127 mile North Cascades Highway drive is best during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. This full drive requires a Pacific Northwest Forest Pass but is well worth it! You will drive through meadows, alongside the Skagit river, and be able to look at all the wildlife native to Washington state. You can make little stops along the way at local farms to snag some delicious produce, perfect for a picnic later in the day! If you are a fan of water, there are plenty of lakes along the way, so bring sunscreen and a swimsuit.
7. Olympic Peninsula Loop
   For this 329 mile drive, you will need two passes, the Pacific Northwest Forest Park Pass and the America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass, in order to access the full beauty of this drive. In this drive, you will experience both the Washington lowlands and the glacier peaks! On the right day, this is perhaps one of the most picturesque drives in the whole state, so bring your camera along!
8. Palouse Country
   Experience Washington's farmlands in this 118 mile drive throughout the eastern portion of the state. You will pass through a bunch of smaller towns, each one is great to stop in. You can stretch your legs, get a bite to eat, or learn some history along the way. You can even follow this road all the way to the Idaho border, giving you the opportunity to visit Washington’s neighboring state as well.
9. The Hood Canal Loop
   The Hood Canal Loop is another extremely scenic drive, you even get to go on one of Washington’s ferries! In this 132 mile drive, you will get amazing views of the mountains and you will find great seafood restaurants along the way. With this drive being right along the Hood Canal, seafood lovers are highly encouraged to try out some of the fresh shellfish from this region. You will also pass the Hood Canal bridge which is the longest floating bridge of its kind!
10. Whidbey Island
    The Whidbey Island drive is another opportunity for you to try out one of Washington’s ferries. This short 47 mile drive is sure to not disappoint with the amazing views once again. Be sure to look at the water, if you are lucky you may see a sea lion or a whale! Whidbey Island has some great wineries, so if you are planning on staying the night on the island, be sure to check them out, responsibly of course!
11. Yakima Valley
    Last, but not least, there is the 58 mile Yakima Valley drive! Again, Yakima Valley produces some very good wines, so if you are interested, plan accordingly! On this drive you will go through the Umtanum Canyon and see the Yakima river. If river rafting is something that you are interested in, this is the drive for you!

Not in Washington State? Check out the best drives along the Oregon Coast or the best drives along the California Coast.

Before you embark on any of these drives, be sure to check out the road conditions because Washington has weather that is known to vary a lot day by day. Always prepare your vehicle before you go on a drive to ensure that you will have the best experience possible! If you have any concerns, get them checked out by one of our mobile mechanics. We will come to you so you can continue mapping out your adventures! But most importantly, have a fun and safe trip!

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