We're delivering our daughter to SEA late Monday morning, and have reservations in Seaview that night. It looks like 8 & 12 from Olympia to 101 would be the quickest route, but is there any good reason to stay on I-5 down to Chehalis, then take SR 6 across? Thanks.

ttt

I don't think we have ever taken SR6, so can't comment on that. The other is good though. Went on 12 out to Ocean Shores a couple years ago, but its been ages since we headed down 101.

Hmmm... we always drive south on I-5 and hang a right at Olympia, then head towards Aberdeen to go to the ocean.

beachbum, I haven't made the drive in about 5 years (although I'm going to in August), but from what mms and suze say, it doesn't sound like much has changed. My family has been going to our house in Seaview since the 60s, and we usually took suze's route - it's the fastest and the section from South Bend on is really pretty.

I have driven 6 but not in years - there was a whole lot of nothing from Chehalis over to Raymond. The road was not as good as the other route.

Suze, does McLeary still have the bear festival?

Hey, thanks for the responses, and especially to dsquared for topping. Looks unanimous!

Not quite unanimous. Let me suggest taking the freeway to Longview-Kelso and picking up state route 4 over to Long Beach? You'll be on city streets for a short distance in Longview.

The route you outline is the most direct.

We sometimes shake things up by taking Route 6 or 4. Route 6 is a liesurely drive through pleasant rural country, and Route 4 is scenic (though not eye-poppingly so).

If you go Route 6, stop off at the little town of Cathlamet. Beware that the drive through Longview to get onto Route 4 is confusing and industrial.

Everthing considered you are best off on 8, 12, and 101. The stretch of 101 along Willapa Bay is nice. There is a Dairy Queen and a MacDonald's in Raymond, and a conveniently located public restroom in South Bend.

I meant, if you go Route 4 stop off at Cathlamet.