We are planning a trip flying into Sacramento and out of Seattle. We have about 6 days to drive from Sacramento to Seattle. Haven't really come up with a road trip itinerary yet, but realize it's about 900 miles if we take the coast.

We will be there end of March early April timeframe, two adults, two kids. Like outdoors stuff, not into amusement parks. Northern California is huge, we'd like to see the Oregon Coast and probably the Redwoods.

Fairly open to ideas, it's a big area and we only have a week. We've been to Napa Valley in the past. Have also visited Lake Tahoe and while we'd like to go back, probably don't have the time on this trip.

Should have also added, we have spent time in Seattle and Sacramento before, so we don't need a lot of time at the start or end of the trip. We have a one way car rental, so no driving back.

Drive north on I-5 to Williams, then west to Calpella (intersection with US-101). Stay on 101 and you will get your fill of redwoods. Turn east on OR-38 at Reedsport and go back to the freeway and up to Seattle. Should fit your time frame if you stop and smell the roses (Columbia River Gorge, Mt. St. Helens if weather permits, Mount Rainier).

At that time of year, head to the coast and stick to it. You're going to have wet weather most of the way, so come prepared.

Here's the route I'd suggest - https://goo.gl/maps/7yntXBdisE32

Head to US 101 via CA 20, then north to the Avenue of the Giants. Continue through the redwoods to the Oregon state line, then follow US 101 up the coast as far as Newport, then cut over to the Willamette Valley and continue up to Portland. Visit the Columbia Gorge and Hood River Valley, go up to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood if you don't need snow chains (rental cars don't allow them) and then continue east to Maryhill WA (cool museum and Stonehenge replica.)

Head north on US 97 through cowboy country and the Yakama reservation to Yakima, then into Seattle on I-82 and I-90 over the Cascades.

This is doable in six days without hurrying; however if you want to stop for a day to catch your breath I'd recommend carving one day off the Oregon coast (turn inland at Reedsport on scenic OR 38) and add that day in the Columbia Gorge, staying at Hood River.

Hood River is far enough inland that it gets less rain than Portland and the coast, and in late March or early April the many waterfalls along the Gorge walls will be awesome. It's a great area for poking around in the off-season.

Gardtloo's map is the route I'd take. One detour you could tack on would be after hwy 20 and north on 101 you could jog west again in 20 to Ft Brag/Mendocino for one night. Then back to 1010 to finish the trip north.

I like Gardyloo's map too. If you had some extra time, you could come through Corvallis (Rt. 34) and get back on US 20 and visit Bend Oregon (or Sisters).

Thank you for all the good information. The map was really helpful.