Pacific Northwest — Oregon & Washington
Volcanic peaks, ancient rainforests, wild coastline, and the craft beer capitals of America. The Pacific Northwest is America's green frontier.
The Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is America at its most lush — moss-draped old-growth forests, volcanic peaks with glaciers, and a rugged coastline that makes the Scottish Highlands look tame. Add Portland's eccentric food scene, Seattle's coffee culture, and some of the best craft beer on Earth, and you have a road trip that's as much about flavour as scenery.
Route Overview
Portland → Mount Rainier (via Oregon Coast, Crater Lake & the Cascades)
- Total Distance: ~1,200 miles (1,930 km) as a loop
- Minimum Time: 7 days (10–12 recommended)
- Best Season: June–September (rain is likely other months)
- Key Roads: US-101, OR-138, Crater Lake Rim Drive, US-97, WA-410
Suggested Itinerary
Days 1–2: Portland
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Powell's City of Books | World's largest independent bookshop. An entire city block | Central |
| Alberta Street | Independent shops, galleries, food carts | Northeast |
| Hawthorne District | Vintage stores, Lardo (pork-focused sandwiches) | Southeast |
| Food Cart Pods | Portland has 500+ food carts. Basically outdoor restaurants | Citywide |
| Forest Park | 5,200 acres of urban forest. Wildwood Trail hike | Northwest |
| Craft Beer | Ecliptic, Great Notion, Breakside — Portland has 70+ breweries | Citywide |
Stay: Southeast Portland (Hawthorne/Division) for walkability and food. Budget: HI Portland Hawthorne hostel (~$40/bed). Mid-range: Hotel Eastlund (~$170).
Days 3–4: Oregon Coast
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cannon Beach | Haystack Rock, tide pools, elegant village | 90 min from Portland |
| Tillamook | Cheese factory (free samples), Tillamook Creamery | 45 min |
| Pacific City | Cape Kiwanda, dory boats launching from the beach | 30 min |
| Lincoln City | Kite flying, glass floats hidden on the beach (a city tradition) | 45 min |
| Newport | Oregon Coast Aquarium, Nye Beach district, bay front | 45 min |
| Heceta Head Lighthouse | The most photographed lighthouse in the US | 30 min |
| Florence | Oregon Dunes NRA — massive sand dunes, ATV riding available | 15 min |
Stay: Newport or Cannon Beach. Both have excellent options. Budget: Newport motels (~$80). Mid-range: Hallmark Resort (Cannon Beach, ocean views, ~$180).
Days 5–6: Crater Lake National Park
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Coast to Crater Lake | Cut inland via OR-38 or OR-138 through forests | 3 hrs from coast |
| Crater Lake NP | The deepest lake in the US (594m / 1,949 ft), impossibly blue | Park day |
| Rim Drive | 33-mile loop around the caldera rim. Every viewpoint is extraordinary | Full loop |
| Wizard Island | Volcanic cinder cone rising from the lake. Boat tour or swim (water temp: frigid) | Summer only |
| Watchman Peak | 0.7-mile hike to a fire lookout with the best view of the lake | West rim |
Stay: Crater Lake Lodge (inside the park, on the rim, ~$250 — book 6+ months ahead) or Mazama Village Campground (~$25). Outside the park: Prospect (~$80 motels).
Days 7–8: The Cascades
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | Deschutes River, craft breweries (20+), mountain biking | 2 hrs from Crater Lake |
| Mount Bachelor | Chair lift with Cascades panorama | 25 min from Bend |
| Dee Wright Observatory | Lava flow viewpoint, Cascade peaks | 45 min from Bend |
| Hood River | Windsurfing capital, orchard country, views of Mount Hood | 90 min |
| Timberline Lodge | Historic lodge on Mount Hood (used in The Shining exterior shots) | 60 min from Hood River |
| Multnomah Falls | 620-foot waterfall, icon of the Columbia River Gorge | 30 min |
Stay: Bend is excellent — the outdoor town of the Pacific Northwest. Budget: McMenamins Old St. Francis (~$100). Mid-range: Tetherow Lodge (~$200).
Days 9–10: Washington — Mount Rainier
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Portland to Rainier | Cross into Washington via I-5 or scenic routes | 3 hrs |
| Mount Rainier NP — Paradise | 4,392m (14,411 ft) volcanic peak, wildflower meadows (July–Aug) | Park day |
| Sunrise | Highest point reachable by car (6,400 ft), oldest trees in the park | 2 hrs from Paradise |
| Reflection Lakes | Rainier mirrored in alpine lakes | Near Paradise |
Stay: Near Ashford (southwest entrance). Budget: Whittaker's Bunkhouse (~$40/bed — founded by the first American to summit Everest). Mid-range: National Park Inn (~$180).
Optional Extension: Seattle (2 Days)
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pike Place Market | Fish throwing, produce, doughnut shops, the original Starbucks | Central |
| Capitol Hill | Nightlife, coffee shops (Seattle invented specialty coffee culture) | Central |
| Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) | Frank Gehry building, music and sci-fi exhibits | Seattle Center |
| Ferry to Bainbridge Island | Best views of the Seattle skyline. Walk-on is fine | Waterfront |
| Ballard | Breweries, locks, Scandinavian heritage | Northwest |
Stay: Capitol Hill or Fremont for character. Budget: HI Seattle (~$45/bed). Mid-range: The Ace Hotel (~$180).
Practical Notes
Weather
The Pacific Northwest's reputation for rain is earned — but nuanced:
- West of the Cascades: Drizzly October–May. Summers are genuinely warm and dry (July–Sept: 22–30°C, minimal rain)
- East of the Cascades: Much drier year-round (Bend gets 300 days of sunshine)
- Mountains: Snow at high elevations into June. Crater Lake's Rim Drive usually opens late June–early July
- Pack layers and a waterproof regardless of when you visit
Driving
- Oregon's speed limit is 65 mph on interstates, 55 mph on most highways
- You cannot pump your own petrol in most of Oregon. Attendants fill your tank (no tipping expected)
- Mountain passes may require chains in early/late season (check conditions)
- The Oregon and Washington coasts have cliff edges, narrow bridges, and winding roads. Take your time
- Watch for elk crossings on the Oregon coast and Cascades
Craft Beer
The Pacific Northwest is America's craft beer heartland:
- Portland: 70+ breweries. Try Ecliptic (astronomy-themed), Great Notion (hazy IPAs), Breakside
- Bend: 20+ breweries in a town of 100,000. Deschutes, 10 Barrel, Boneyard
- Seattle: Fremont Brewing, Holy Mountain, Cloudburst Brewing
- Brewery hopping is a legitimate activity here. Most have excellent food programmes
Accommodation Budget (per night, approximate)
| Type | Portland | Oregon Coast | Crater Lake Area | Seattle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campground | N/A | $20–35 | $22–35 | N/A |
| Budget | $70–120 | $70–110 | $70–110 | $80–140 |
| Mid-Range | $150–250 | $140–220 | $150–250 | $170–280 |
Don't Miss
- Crater Lake on a cloudless day — the blue is impossible. There's no word for it in any language
- Multnomah Falls — 620 feet of cascading water, easily accessible from Portland
- The Oregon coast in fog — Haystack Rock emerging from the mist is pure drama
- Mount Rainier wildflower meadows (July) — the mountain looming above carpets of lupine and paintbrush
- Powell's City of Books — bring an hour. You'll stay three. The colour-coded rooms are a bibliophile's paradise
Some links may include affiliate partnerships — see our affiliate disclosure for details.