Best driving roads near Seattle

Seattle sits at the foot of the Cascades, where mountain passes, hairpin overlooks, and rainforest-lined highways open up to views of Rainier, Baker, and glacier-fed lakes.

1. North Cascades Highway (SR-20)

North Cascades Highway (SR-20) winding over Washington Pass beneath the spires of Liberty Bell Mountain
Photo: Anthony Maw, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A remote-feeling traverse through North Cascades National Park past Diablo Lake and the hairpins of Washington Pass, framed by jagged alpine peaks.

Length
140 mi
Drive time
about 2 h 50 min
High point
5,475 ft at Washington Pass

Best time to go: Late spring to fall; closed between mileposts 134 and 171 from about late November to late April or early May.

Map of North Cascades Highway (SR-20) from Sedro-Woolley to Winthrop
Route: Sedro-Woolley to Winthrop, about 128.7 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

2. Stevens Pass Greenway (US-2)

US-2 climbing toward Stevens Pass through autumn color in the Cascades
Photo: SounderBruce, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A scenic Highway 2 run following the Skykomish River up to 4,061-foot Stevens Pass through dense forest and roaring rivers.

Length
90 mi
Drive time
about 1 h 55 min
High point
4,061 ft at Stevens Pass

Best time to go: Open year-round; Stevens Pass can close temporarily in heavy winter snow.

Map of Stevens Pass Greenway (US-2) from Monroe to Peshastin
Route: Monroe to Peshastin, about 89.6 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

3. Chinook Pass Scenic Byway (SR-410)

Chinook Scenic Byway (SR-410) near Tipsoo Lake with Mount Rainier rising behind
Photo: Chris Light, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A byway, usually open mid-May to November, delivering some of the best up-close views of Mount Rainier's peaks along its climb over the pass.

Length
about 92 mi
Drive time
about 1 h 55 min
High point
5,430 ft at Chinook Pass

Best time to go: Mid-May to early November; Chinook Pass usually closes in November and reopens in mid-May.

Map of Chinook Pass Scenic Byway (SR-410) from Enumclaw to US-12 near Naches
Route: Enumclaw to US-12 near Naches, about 92 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

4. Cascade Loop

Deception Pass Bridge carrying SR-20 over the channel between Whidbey and Fidalgo islands on the Cascade Loop
Photo: Redolta, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A 440-mile signature road trip stitching together passes, river valleys, and the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way into Washington's ultimate drive.

Length
440 mi
Drive time
about 9 h 30 min
High point
5,475 ft at Washington Pass

Best time to go: Late spring to fall; the SR-20 North Cascades section closes in winter, roughly late November to late April or early May.

Map of the Cascade Loop loop from Everett
Loop from Everett, about 426.2 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

5. Mountain Loop Highway

A scenic road from Granite Falls to Darrington along the Stillaguamish River into the Cascade foothills, mixing forest tunnels with riverside curves.

Length
54 mi (part unpaved)
Drive time
about 50 min
High point
2,349 ft at Barlow Pass

Best time to go: Late spring to fall; a 14-mile section between the Deer Creek and Bedal gates closes for winter and reopens in spring.

Map of Mountain Loop Highway from Granite Falls to Barlow Pass
Route: Granite Falls to Barlow Pass, about 30.5 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

Track your next drive near Seattle

Open Road keeps every drive: the route on a map, the time and the distance. On iPhone and Android.

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Questions, answered

What are the best driving roads near Seattle?
Top picks near Seattle: North Cascades Highway, Stevens Pass Greenway, Chinook Pass Scenic Byway, Cascade Loop, Mountain Loop Highway. Each one is here for the drive and the scenery.
How long are the best driving roads near Seattle?
North Cascades Highway: 140 mi. Stevens Pass Greenway: 90 mi. Chinook Pass Scenic Byway: about 92 mi. Cascade Loop: 440 mi. Mountain Loop Highway: 54 mi (part unpaved).
Which driving road near Seattle climbs the highest?
North Cascades Highway, with a high point of 5,475 ft at Washington Pass.
When is the best time to drive these roads?
North Cascades Highway: Late spring to fall; closed between mileposts 134 and 171 from about late November to late April or early May. Stevens Pass Greenway: Open year-round; Stevens Pass can close temporarily in heavy winter snow. Chinook Pass Scenic Byway: Mid-May to early November; Chinook Pass usually closes in November and reopens in mid-May. Cascade Loop: Late spring to fall; the SR-20 North Cascades section closes in winter, roughly late November to late April or early May. Mountain Loop Highway: Late spring to fall; a 14-mile section between the Deer Creek and Bedal gates closes for winter and reopens in spring.
What's the best app to track a drive near Seattle?
Open Road records your drive and saves it to your drive log with the route on a map, the distance and the time. It is on iPhone and Android.

Famous driving roads