Hi there,

I'm in the process of planning a trip for next year to the Pacific coast. I'm wondering if I'll be able to leave from Seattle, hit up Mount St. Helens, and then make it to Cannon Beach, OR in one day. Any help would be appreciated!

Sure, anything's possible, but that would be one very long day!

Definitely doable, just don't plan on arriving in CB before early evening though. From Seattle to CB it used to take us anywhere from 4 1/2 to 5 hours. So if you leave early, then do Mt. St. Helens, you can arrive in CB by the evening.

Thanks for the help, everyone. So how long does it take to get from I5 to Mount St. Helens? I realize that I would have to multiply this by 2 to get back to I5.

Thanks again!

From I-5 up to Johnston Ridge it takes about an hour. It is about 45 miles, but it is a slow going road, and there are places you will want to stop along the way. Johnston Ridge Observatory is a must see! Definitely do the short film there!

Plan about 3 1/2 hours from Seattle to Mount Saint Helens and another 3 1/2-4 hours from MSH to Cannon Beach.

Most of the places we stay in Cannon Beach are rather strict about the 4:00 p.m. check-in, so there is no big rush.

The most scenic drive between MSH and Cannon Beach is WA-4 and the Astoria Bridge across the mouth of the Columbia River.

Thanks for all the help! Sounds manageable, let's hope the weather holds out for the best driving!

When you say "weather holds" which month are you coming in?

Well, since Kal's MIA...

...tick...tick...tick

Carry on...

R5

I'm thinking It will be in mid to late July, so that should tip the odds in favor of better weather, right?

Sure July should be OK. Could be hot and sunny, or coolish and rainy, but nothing that would interfer with this drive.

July and August are our summer months. They are usually warm and quite dry.

It usually rains less than an inch in July.

In July 2007 the low was 53 and the high was 95. The average low was 58 and the average high was 78.

I like the sound of those average temps, thanks again!

still ***ticking***...

I hope you don't shortchange the visitors centers at Mt. St. Helens in your rush. The National Park center at the bottom is worth visiting as well. It has some good displays and movies on what happened leading up the explosion. It sets the stage.

We used to take an entire day from Portland when we'd visit the mountain, stopping at the three visitor's centers (one is closed due to budget cuts - so sad), and picnicking at the new lake.

And, as mms stated, do not miss the movie at Johnston Ridge and you will want to go for a walk there.

Plan on getting to Canon Beach late.