My husband and I will be driving roundtrip Great Falls-Seattle in a week or two (long family story). The trip out we will probably drive as directly as possible (I-15 - I-90) though I see from AAA that there are several sections of construction that I need to look at more closely.
Once our business is done in Seattle we may be able to make the drive back more fun and do some sightseeing. I need to have options ready for either extra days near Seattle or along the route back to Great Falls. We love the outdoors with beautiful mountains and streams, also enjoy historical sights. Short hikes and other activities would be fun as we are very active, but not backpacking as we can't bring equipment.
We have been to Seattle area once and loved Mt Ranier for scenic and hiking, thought Mt Baker scenic, but less so Olympic. We didn't make it to Victoria and the forests on Vancouver Island or up to the ski resort area east of Seattle. If we stay out there for a couple of days, I am thinking of Vancouver Island or back to Ranier. Suggestions?
If we want to start back, but make a loop to somewhere different, I've looked at Mt Hood, which would add about 3 hours to the trip by picking up I-84. Suggestions?
The northern loop to go through North Cascades looks impractical as it would add so many driving hours on backroads. Correct interpretation?
A loop at the end might be to Glacier. We were there the year of the fires and thought it was great too.
Are there any other loops along the way you would suggest? Are there any sights you would suggest we get off I-90 and go see? Any suggested stops for meals, motels if we get tired?
Side trips/diversions I-90 Seattle to Great Falls, Montana
Recent Activity
View all United States activity »
- 1 Can You Typically See Mt St Helens on the train from Seattle to Portland?
- 2 San Franciso to Vancouver
- 3 Priceline, WARNING
- 4 stay near newark or nyc
- 5 Carmel, California where to stay??
- 6 Less commercial beach?
- 7 2 Brits Travelling USA July-Aug 2013
- 8 Maui. . .where to stay for local feel
- 9 First-Time Hawaii Advice
- 10 Manzanita Or restaurants
- 11 I-5 bridge over Skagit River collapses, cars with people in water |
- 12 Pine Barrens- where to stay ?
- 13 Kauai golf
- 14 Trip Itinerary Advice Needed - 1wk Yellowstone & Tetons
- 15 JFK to Upper West Side by subway
- 16 East coast tour - Part2: Phily, Washington, Niagara Falls
- 17 East coast tour - Part1: NYC
- 18
Boston, my 2 hour food shopping spree to satiate my man's needs
- 19 15 hrs layoff at Miami International- Key West Possible ?
- 20 Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park opens today
- 21 Pick up north of Boston Logan
- 22 Maine - July 5th to July 14
- 23 Traveling the upper west coast into vancouver
- 24 Cape Ann area
- 25 Yosemite Falls Lodge in the park or Cedar Lodge w/ budget constraints
Kay2 - I would not do the Northern Cascade route because you really need to get off the road and into the back country to fully appreciate the region. If you go over to the Olympic Peninsula you should vist Port Townsend, good shopping, interesting museum and a number of historic homes. You could add side trip on the ferry to Whidbey Island, visit the historic fort and explore Coupeville. Vancouver Island is also nice, drive along the Eastern edge to charming towns & don't miss the gardens in Victoria. Alternatively, check out Spokane and the Couer d'Alean area as you head back to Montana.
Actually, some of the best hiking in the North Cascades is right off Highway 20. For example, Maple Pass Loop, a 6.5 mile loop rated as "premier" hike in one of the local guidebooks. The parking for the trailhead is right on the highway at Rainy Pass. There are other very nice hikes within a short drive off Highway 20. Some may still have snow at the higher elevations, however.
You could start from Seattle, drive 2.5 hours to the Maple Pass hike, then spend the night in Winthrop; there are lodges right on the river there, and rafting opportunities a bit downriver. From there, continue on 20 until you meet the Columbia River, and if you wanted a less twisty way, head south and pick up Highway 2 to Spokane (where you would pick up I-90). Highway 2 is a 2-lane highway but by no means a backroad.
You mentioned I 15 and I 90 as the shortest route to Seattle from Great Falls. The shortest route is MT 200 over Rogers Pass which connects to I 90 just east of Missoula. Driving I 15 south of Great Falls to Butte where it connects with I 90 is a lot longer.
If you take and extra side trip I recommend a ferry ride to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. You can walk on and stay overnight in town or take a car. On our last trip Orca whales shadowed the ferry for miles. Then proceed over Highway 20 the North Cascades Pass as enzian suggests. North Cascades is one of the most scenic drives in a state full of scenic drives. Stay at Sun Mountain Lodge if it fits your schedule. You might consider a visit to Grand Coulee Dam as you make your way east.
Another wonderful route is the waterfall studded Columbia River Gorge along the southern border of the state. If you like historic sites, Columbia Hills State Park is loaded with both historic and prehistoric sites. The Native American petroglyphs are the worth the trip alone. Search Google images for "She Who Watches" to wet your appetite. Also check out Maryhill Museum. Continue east via US 12 through the Walla Walla Valley and taste wine all along the way. Also check out the many great historic sites along the Lewis & Clark Trail. Lewis & Clark travesered the Gorge and Snake River Valley on slightly different routes in both directions. Stop for a jet boat tour in Hells Canyon at Lewiston, ID through the deepest river gorge in N. America. Now that I write this, I realize that Columbia Gorge is a gem that should not be missed.
Ternstail,
I thought taking MT 200 would be shorter, but AAA driving times says Great Falls to Missoula via MT 200 is 3hr 40 minutes for 170 miles vs. via I-95 to Helena then US 12 to I-90 to Missoula is 3 hr 30 minutes for 210 miles because of higher speeds on the interstates. Is this not accurate? (I don't trust online mapping.)
US 12 would be ok and would allow you to drive I 15 between Great Falls and Helena which is a beautiful drive. Given the relatively uncongested condition of Montana's two-lane highways I'd say AAA's estimate of the difference between speeds on Interstates and other highways is a little high. Whatever route you take will be fine and I wouldn't worry too much about 10 minutes here or there.
So many choices!
My husband thought some of the loops I was looking at added too many miles, so he has reined me in.
One question I have is about snow out in the Cascades. Looking at the Mt Ranier website I see that some roads are not open. I fear that will concentrate crowds in the park. I was looking at whether it would be possible to go to the park, then over on 410 to Yakima, then back to I-90. If I read the website correctly, the Sunrise area is expected to open July 1, but the road 410/123 pass that we would need may not open because of damage. I'll post a new question on this as well.
Some of the state parks off I-90 also look like they have potential for my mountain fix - Iron Horse, Lake Easton, Olallie. I've never been to any of them. I'll check their websites, but phone calls may be necessary to check conditions.
Another option is to use Hwy 2 to go back over the mountains. I fear it might be busy with Leavenworth tourists? Wallace Falls is the only destination I spotted along that way unless we continue all the way to near Grand Coulee Dam.
As for other stops, I've highlighted Wallace, Idaho. I've been to Couer d'Alene before.
Has anyone done Gates of the Mountain boat trip outside Helena?
Regarding 200 and Rogers Pass vs. Hwy 12 and Helena: It's a little faster to take Rogers Pass between Great Falls and Missoula about (3 hours and 20 minutes drive time).
In the winter, we take Hwy 12 because the roads tend to be plowed more than 200. If you take 200, you can check out the spot that has the record for the coldest recorded temp in the lower 48 states.
I've done the Gates of the Mountain tour a few times (standard field trip for SW MT schoolkids). It's pretty cool.
If you want a scenic drive from WA to Missoula, MT take Hwy 12 from Lewiston, ID to Missoula. You'll follow the Clearwater River and then the Lochsa River. It's beautiful. You can stop and innertube the river near mile post 93 on the Clearwater at the Three Devils pullout or tube the Selway River and camp or stay in cabins at Three Rivers Resort (resort is somewhat of a questionable term) in Lowell. There are lots of places to stop and pick blackberries along the way.
There is also a lot of floating on the Blackfoot river between GF and Missoula on Hwy 200.
Check out the Hiawatha Trail at the top of Lookout Pass on I-90. You could rent bikes and ride the railroad trestles and through the tunnels. It's very fun!
Have a great trip!