The road from Seattle to Vancouver is not a long one. Set against some of the vast distances in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, these two cities are almost neighbors. If you were of the mind to do so, you could do the entire drive in under three hours.
But why on earth would you want to do something as dull as that?!?
Despite the short geographical distance, a Seattle to Vancouver road trip can be an exhilarating adventure. Spread over a few days, this journey can take in some of the finest corners of this wild, rugged, and totally gorgeous part of the world.
So if you plan to depart on a cruise from Vancouver this year, why not add a few days to your itinerary and get your vacation started with an extraordinary drive through the best of the Pacific Northwest?
Day 1
The first thing to do on any road trip starting in Seattle is to enjoy the delights of Seattle itself! Make sure you tick off the main attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market and don’t miss the natural beauty of Bainbridge Island.
Once you’ve enjoyed the city, head west into the wilderness. Take the I-90 up through the Snoqualmie Pass into the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, where you’ll pass countless waterfalls, lakes, and cascades, as well as the picturesque forest itself. Stay the night in Leavenworth or Ellensburg.
Day 2
Your second day of driving will be all about exploring the wonders of the North Cascades National Park. You’ll only have a couple of hours of real driving to do to reach your end-of-the-day destination so take the opportunity to really explore the area. Check out Lake Chelan, Ross Lake, and Mount Baker, or just enjoy the awesome scenery on the North Cascades Highway, the only paved road in the National Park. Stay at Ross Lake Lodge, the only lodge on Highway 20, and take in the gorgeous natural surroundings.
Day 3
The final day’s driving brings you down from the North Cascades to the coast then through Burlington, Bellingham, and across the Canadian border at White Rock. Take a moment to enjoy the Peace Arch Park, a monument to the War of 1812 between the US and Great Britain, then press on along the coast, before crossing the Fraser River and arriving at Vancouver!
