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)
A remote-feeling traverse through North Cascades National Park past Diablo Lake and the hairpins of Washington Pass, framed by jagged alpine peaks.
2. Stevens Pass Greenway (US-2)
A scenic Highway 2 run following the Skykomish River up to 4,061-foot Stevens Pass through dense forest and roaring rivers.
3. Chinook Pass Scenic Byway (SR-410)
A summer-only byway delivering some of the best up-close views of Mount Rainier's peaks along its climb over the pass.
4. Cascade Loop
A 440-mile signature road trip stitching together passes, river valleys, and the Whidbey Scenic Isle Way into Washington's ultimate drive.
5. Mountain Loop Highway
A scenic loop out of Granite Falls along the Stillaguamish River into the Cascade foothills, mixing forest tunnels with riverside curves.
Track your next run near Seattle
Open Road is free on iPhone and Android.
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 is a favorite among drivers for its curves, scenery, or pace.
- What's the best app to track a drive near Seattle?
- Open Road records your run automatically — route replay, distance, top speed, g-force — and saves it to a stat card. Free on iPhone and Android.