Driving from Seattle to Glacier NP
 

Planning a road trip that will include Yellowstone and Glacier as well as Mt Ranier/Crater Lake/Seattle and Portland areas. Realizing that these two areas are far apart, we're debating whether we should allow time to drive from Seattle to Glacier or we should turn in the rental car, fly from Seattle to Kalispell, and pick up another rental car. One thing that may help us make that decision is whether the drive is worthwhile in terms of scenery and whether there are things not to be missed, i.e, worth an afternoon stopover, on the way. Appreciate any thoughts or information.

The distance is about 550 miles, and it takes about 10 hours behind the wheel.

I think it is very much worth driving. The highway from Seattle to Vantage (135 miles) is scenic, and then you hit the high desert. Things pick up again at Coeur d'Alene, which is 175 miles east of Vantage. Stay on I-90 to St. Regis and then head north on 135, 28, and 93 as it follows beautiful Flathead Lake.

You make me want to hit the road.

HTTY

With a stop for lunch and dinner, shouldn't take you much over 8 hours using I90 and the routes mentioned above.

Check out Amtrak. They currently have a deal with Glacier. Google Glacier Park Inc.

The drive through the Cascades is beautiful, gets boring, then beautiful again in Idaho. I would check into a flight into Sea or PDX and out of Jackson Hole, W yellowstone or Idaho Falls. Also check on the rental car drop off fees. Sounds like a great trip - we are doing GTNP, Yellowstone, Portland and south Oregon coast in May. We are flying IDA to PDX and renting another car. Can't wait!! Then Glacier in Sept for a long weekend.

Or take US 2 over the Cascades (Stevens Pass) and follow it all the way. Detour at Grand Coulee Dam if time permits. The Pend Oreille country in NE WA/N. Idaho is very lovely. Not a lot slower than the freeway as it follows a more northerly route.

Don't miss a stopover in Helena if time allows - great historic state capital. And I have to give a plug to the Land of Magic steak house in Logan (west of Bozeman on I-90.) Best. Steak. Anywhere. Bring yer dawg... http://gardyloo.us/xcountry%20160sm.JPG

Thanks everyone for your comments. Very helpful!
Christabir - would love to hear how your trip goes since sounds like you'll be hitting alot of the same areas we are hoping to include.

Here's another question, slightly diff topic. Having trouble deciding betwen a late June vs. early Sept timeframe. Other than the obvious issue of crowds, which we hope to minimize in either case, was concered about minimizing liklihood of more rainy days and was wondering about need to avoid fire season (which I believe is potentially worse later in the summer?)

As far as weather is concerned, there is a slightly less chance of rain in early September.

ot713

Well, we won't have any crowds in YS or GTNP in mid May!

June is great in GTNP and YS - lots of baby animals and still snow on the mountains for beautiful scenery. A bit crowded, but that's to be expected and a get of rain. Sept is crisp and beautiful. Big concern this year for fires - there is NO SNOW in YS right now - actually why we are going so early. Check the webcams! I would try for June, but reservations inside the park (the only way to go IMHO) will be difficult. Call daily for cancellations - they happen all the time.

NW is definitely better in Sept - we were there in 2001 and it didn't rain a drop for 7 days. But there is never a bad time for the NW - it's beautiful. When does Crater Lake open? That's on my list for next time.

Really consider the train - the best of both worlds - no driving, but still get to see some of this beautiful country instead of flying.

When does Glacier open? Could we do this in May (Yellowstone) thru early June?
We LOVE Yellowstone but haven't made our reservations yet and are concerned that it might be too late for this May (right around the corner).

GNP is open 24/7 365 days a year. The Sun road, though , is due to open this year around the middle of June depending on weather and construction. The road is now open up to Avalanche Lake and bikers and hikers are allowed as far as the loop as snow plowing continues into the alpine section of the road.
For more info, try
www.nps.gov/glacier/index

I'm planning a similar trip starting in Spokane, driving to Many Glacier, Waterton, then back to Spokane. Any restaurant recommendations along the way?