Welcome to your RV trip of the PNW! From the charming towns to the many hiking trails, this 9 day road trip takes you through the best of the northern west coast. Travel through Seattle, Olympic National Park, Hoh Rainforest, Mount Rainier National Park, and more.
Beside Yellowstone National Park, this road trip route takes you to the most famous American national parks. Skip the rental car and take the scenic route in an RV. You'll get up close and personal to mountain vistas, sandy beaches, and lovely towns.
Day 1: Seattle to Olympic National Park via Bainbridge Ferry
Drive Time: 2.5 Hours (with ferry) | ~82 miles + Ferry Crossing
Fly into Seattle Tacoma International Airport and begin your road trip with a quintessential Seattle experience: boarding the Bainbridge Island Ferry. This scenic car ferry glides across Puget Sound with panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and on clear days Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. Make sure to catch the skyline view as the ferry pulls away from Seattle.
Once you land on Bainbridge, follow Route 305 and Highway 3 before merging onto Highway 101, heading west toward the Olympic Peninsula. This lush region is filled with glacier-carved lakes and misty peaks. Your goal today is Port Angeles, a gateway to Olympic National Park. Before settling in for the night, take a short detour to Hurricane Ridge for golden-hour mountain views or a stroll to the Hurricane Hill overlook.
Stay overnight in Port Angeles to rest up for tomorrow’s adventures into the rainforest and coast.
Day 2: Port Angeles to Forks via Lake Crescent & the Pacific Coast
Drive Time: 2 Hours | ~85 miles (with stops)
Start your morning with a warm drink and head west on Highway 101 toward the jewel-toned waters of Lake Crescent, nestled beneath towering evergreens. Stretch your legs with a short, shaded hike to Marymere Falls, or opt for the challenging Mount Storm King trail if you're craving a panoramic payoff.
From Lake Crescent, continue on to Sol Duc Falls, a powerful cascade tucked into a mossy forest just a short walk from the road. The scent of pine and damp earth fills the air as you cross a wooden footbridge to view the roaring waterfall.
By early afternoon, arrive in Forks. It's famous for its Twilight ties, but better known to adventurers as a jumping-off point for coastal magic. Make your way to Rialto Beach for a sunset walk to the legendary Hole-in-the-Wall, where sea stacks rise dramatically from the ocean and tidepools glisten with life.
Wind down your day in Forks or nearby La Push, and rest up for tomorrow’s journey into the rainforest.
Day 3: Forks to Quinault via the Hoh Rainforest and Ruby Beach
Drive Time: 2.5 Hours | ~90 miles (with stops)
Begin your day early and drive southeast to the iconic Hoh Rainforest, one of the most enchanting ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Arrive before 9 AM to avoid crowds and walk the Hall of Mosses, where twisted trees draped in green seem to glow in the mist. Ferns, banana slugs, and ancient Sitka spruce make this one of the most photographed places in Olympic National Park.
Next, follow Highway 101 south and stop at Ruby Beach, a moody stretch of rugged coastline scattered with driftwood and dramatic sea stacks. It’s an easy walk from the parking lot, and if the tide is low, you’ll spot starfish and sea anemones clinging to the rocks. Snap a few photos and breathe in the salty air. This is quintessential coastal Washington.
In the afternoon, continue driving toward Lake Quinault, the quieter rainforest sibling of the Hoh. This area offers peaceful hikes, lakeside lodges, and giant trees (including the world’s largest Sitka spruce). If time allows, walk the Rain Forest Nature Trail or enjoy a relaxing drive on the Quinault Rainforest Loop.
Spend the night in Quinault or nearby Amanda Park to prepare for tomorrow’s longer drive to the alpine wonderland of Mount Rainier.
Day 4 - 6: Lake Quinault to Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise Area)
Drive Time: 5 Hours | ~248 miles
Fuel up and hit the road early. Today is your longest drive of the trip, but the reward is the towering majesty of Mount Rainier National Park. From Lake Quinault, take Highway 101 south before weaving inland along scenic backroads and Highways 12 and 706, passing quiet logging towns and glimpses of Cascade peaks as you climb in elevation.
By late afternoon, arrive in Paradise, the most popular area of the park. Take a stroll to Myrtle Falls, where a postcard-perfect bridge frames Mount Rainier in the background. If time allows, catch the golden hour light reflecting on Reflection Lakes just down the road. Stay overnight in or near Ashford to rest up for days of alpine hiking.
Start your next days at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center in Paradise to check trail conditions and get an updated weather report. If skies are clear, lace up your boots for the park’s crown jewel: the Skyline Trail.
This 5.5-mile loop climbs steadily through flower-filled meadows, snowfields, and rocky ridgelines with constant views of Rainier’s glacier-clad summit. The wildlife is plentiful, so keep your eyes peeled for marmots, mountain goats, and black-tailed deer. At the high point, you’ll stand nearly face-to-face with Rainier’s icy flanks before descending past cascading streams and panoramic views of the Tatoosh Range.
After your hike, reward yourself with a scenic picnic at Reflection Lakes, where the mountain shimmers across still water, especially striking at sunset. If you have extra energy, stop by Narada Falls or Christine Falls, two easily accessible waterfalls that offer stunning photo ops just off the road.
Day 7-8: Mount Rainier to the Columbia River Gorge
Drive Time: 4 Hours | ~210 miles
Bid farewell to Mount Rainier as you head south toward the legendary Columbia River Gorge, crossing into Oregon near the town of Hood River. The journey takes you from alpine forest into farmland, with glimpses of Mount Adams and rolling hills on either side of the Columbia River as you descend into the Gorge.
Arrive in Hood River, a charming riverside town known for its mix of outdoor adventure and small-town sophistication. Take time to stroll along the waterfront or grab a coffee downtown.
In the afternoon, drive west along the Historic Columbia River Highway, stopping at one or two waterfalls en route. Begin with the iconic Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s tallest at 620 feet, then continue to Horsetail Falls or Wahclella Falls, both easy hikes offering big scenery with little effort.
Cap off the day at one of Hood River’s cozy wineries or breweries. Loop de Loop (just across the bridge in Washington) offers laid-back vibes and local pours with sweeping views of the Gorge. Spend the night in Hood River or nearby White Salmon, your base for exploring this lush, waterfall-drenched region.
The Next Days
Today is your chance to slow down and explore one of the most beautiful stretches of the Pacific Northwest. Start with an early morning visit to Panorama Point, where you’ll catch sunrise lighting up Mount Hood and the fertile Hood River Valley. From here, it’s clear why this area is known for its orchards and vineyards.
Next, hop onto the Hood River Fruit Loop, a scenic 35-mile route that winds past family farms, cider houses, and seasonal produce stands. Stop at Draper Girls Country Farm for fresh apples, cherries (in season), or a bottle of sweet hard cider. Then head to The Gorge White House to enjoy lunch on the lawn with a tasting flight of local wine or cider.
In the afternoon, venture back toward the Gorge for more waterfall hopping. If you missed Wahclella Falls, now’s the time to go. It’s a short trail packed with Pacific Northwest charm: mossy boulders, hanging ferns, and a powerful finale. For sweeping views, consider the Angel’s Rest Trail, a moderately challenging hike to a rocky bluff overlooking the river canyon.
Wind down your day in Hood River with dinner and a drink at Ferment Brewing or Solstice Wood Fire Café, both of which serve locally sourced meals with riverfront views.
Stay a second night in Hood River or White Salmon, recharging for tomorrow’s journey into Oregon’s high desert.
Day 9: Hood River to Bend via the Cascade Lakes Highway
Drive Time: 2 hours 50 minutes | ~143 miles
Say goodbye to the Columbia River Gorge and begin your scenic drive south toward Bend, Oregon’s adventure capital. Take Highway 35 around the eastern flanks of Mount Hood, where you’ll pass thick forests and snowy peaks before descending into Central Oregon’s high desert.
Arrive in Bend around midday and spend your afternoon strolling along the Deschutes River Trail, a paved path that hugs the river and winds through parks and pine groves. Locals float the river in summer, but even a short walk from Drake Park offers peaceful views and picnic spots.
If time permits, drive the start of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, a pine-lined route west of Bend dotted with alpine lakes and mountain views. Stop at Sparks Lake for a late afternoon photo shoot. This is one of the best places near Bend to watch the sun dip behind South Sister.
Back in town, unwind with dinner and a local pint. Bend has more than two dozen breweries, and 10 Barrel Brewing or Deschutes Brewery Public House are popular picks with laid-back patios. Stay overnight in Downtown Bend, and prepare for your trip back to Seattle or drop your RV in Bend and fly home from here. If you have any more time, you can also explore the Oregon coast.
Other Options: Pacific Northwest to Banff Road Trip
This PNW route is an ideal starter RV road trip that keeps you stateside, but if you're ready to go farther afield, heading north through British Columbia into Alberta on the Trans Canada Highway opens up a whole new world of jaw-dropping landscapes.
Stop first at North Cascades National Park and then Glacier National Park. Next, head to The Canadian Rockies, home to Banff (including the famed Banff Upper Hot Springs), Jasper, and Yoho National Parks, are filled with turquoise lakes (like Lake Louise), massive glaciers, and some of the most breathtaking mountain drives in the world, including the Icefields Parkway.
Just keep in mind that a Pacific Northwest to Banff route adds longer driving days, potential border crossing logistics, and a need for more advance planning (especially for camping or RV site reservations in peak summer months). But if you're up for the challenge, a Canadian road trip is a trip you’ll never forget.
Travel With Cruise America
A road trip through the Pacific Northwest is unforgettable and traveling by RV makes it even better. With the freedom to roam, cook your own meals, and sleep steps away from the trailhead, an RV offers flexibility that traditional travel just can’t match.
Cruise America makes hitting the open road easy, especially for first-time RV travelers. Our compact and full-size RVs are well-equipped for scenic routes. With rental pickup locations across the U.S. and Canada it’s simple to get started.
Let Cruise America be your travel companion! Contact Cruise America today.
