drive from Seattle to Hood River
 

I will be driving from Seattle, WA to Hood River, OR. Does anyone have any route recommendations for seeing nice scenery along the way?

Also: After visiting Hood River, I will be driving to Portland. Would it be better to take I-84, or should I cross into Washington and take Rt. 14?

Unless you want to detour up to St. Helens, there's not really that much to see between Seattle and Portland. So just get on I-5, then I-205 north of Vancouver. Rather than I-84, take the Old Columbia River Highway east to Hood River. For a different perspective of the Gorge, take SR 14 back to Portland.

Agree with taking the Old Columbia highway.
FYI, as you head into Portland, I-84 is known as the Banfield and traffic reports will describe it as such ("the Banfield is clear" or "there's a half-mile backup on the Banfield near 205").

We didn't know that when we first moved to the Portland area and used to go nuts wondering why no traffic reporters would say anything about the congestion on I-84 around Portland.

Route 14 is ok, but nothing of great interest. It can be stinky around Camas (because of the mill). I mean REALLY stinky.

But if Joyce takes I-205 from north of Vancouver, BTilke, then SR 14 back to Portland, she misses the Banfield altogether.

On that route, yes, of course--
But you can't take route 14 from Washougal/Camas and other points east to 205 and then to the Banfield anymore? There's no access to 205 from Route 14?

Thank you for the responses.

From I-205, how do I get on the Old Columbia Highway? I-205 seems to lead into I-84, which the map calls the Columbia River Highway. Isn't the "Old" Columbia Highway a different road? Or is it the same as I-84?

I would go TO Hood River on Rt 14 (north shore) then go to Portland via the old scenic highway on the south shore of the Columbia, which starts off of I-84 near the Bonneville Dam.

It is a little shorter to go to Hood River via SR 14, but I think the Old Columbia River Highway is best driven from west to east. And yes, I-205 does intersect with I-84, Joyce. To get to the Old Highway take exit 18 (as you're headed east) and follow the signs. Maybe this will help: http://www.oregon.com/byways/columbia.cfm#map

Thanks. I have some more questions:

1. Does the Old Columbia River Highway require driving up any mountains? From a Google map, this road seems to have a lot of twisting turns in the Crown Point State Park area.

2. The Old Columbia River road is inland. Would I be missing any nice views by taking this road instead of I-84?

If you take it east from Troutdale, the Old Highway climbs a hill - guessing 1000 ft - to the first of several viewpoints, the Portland Women's Forum. From there, it winds its way along the side of the Gorge, back down to the Columbia River. The road is two lanes, and sometimes narrow, but you'd be on the uphill side, which is another good reason to drive it west to east. Contrary to your question, if you take I-84 instead, you'll miss some of the best views.

For a but much more scenic route, go east on I-90 from Seattle, over the Cascades, south on I-82 to Yakima, and then down US 97 to WA SR 14 near Goldendale. Stop at the reproduction of Stonehenge overlooking the river near the US 97/ SR 14 junction, then continue west a couple of miles to the wonderful Maryhill Museum (Rodin in the sagebrush - marvelous.) Then it's an easy shot to Hood River on either side of the river, the WA side being more scenic since you can see Mt. Hood part of the time.

Then take the Old Gorge road from Hood River

Hit post inadvertently. I meant to say longer but more scenic (probably 2 hrs longer all in.)

This route features mountain (freeway) driving, some great "old west" scenery through the Yakama Indian reservation and over Satus Pass (US 97) and a real glimpse of the "other" side of OR and WA. Great views of Mt. Adams too.

Thank you again for answering my questions, and for the suggestions.