Oregon and Washington offer some of America’s most spectacular scenic drives, where every turn reveals breathtaking landscapes that seem almost too beautiful to be real. From rugged coastlines and towering waterfalls to volcanic peaks and pristine alpine lakes, these routes showcase the incredible diversity of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re seeking dramatic ocean vistas or peaceful mountain meadows, these carefully selected drives will take you through landscapes that capture the true essence of this magnificent region.
1. Pacific Coast Scenic Byway
Stretching 362 miles along Oregon’s entire coastline, this legendary route transforms Highway 101 into a window to the Pacific’s raw power and beauty. Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach rises like an ancient monument from the surf, while charming fishing villages like Bandon and Newport dot the shoreline.
Dramatic headlands offer perfect spots for whale watching, especially during migration seasons. The byway passes through temperate rainforests, expansive sand dunes, and rocky tide pools teeming with marine life.
Plan extra time for lighthouse visits and fresh seafood stops in coastal towns that have welcomed travelers for generations.
2. Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway
Carved by ancient floods, the Columbia River Gorge creates a spectacular corridor where waterfalls cascade down basalt cliffs in ribbons of silver. Multnomah Falls, plunging 620 feet in two tiers, serves as the crown jewel of this 83-mile journey through geological wonder.
Wind-carved landscapes reveal layers of volcanic history while providing world-class windsurfing conditions. Historic Vista House at Crown Point offers panoramic views that stretch for miles across the mighty Columbia River.
Spring brings wildflower carpets to hiking trails, while autumn paints the gorge in brilliant gold and crimson hues.
3. Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
High in the Cascade Mountains near Bend, this 66-mile loop winds through a landscape shaped by ancient volcanic activity and glacial carving. Crystal-clear lakes mirror snow-capped peaks, creating postcard-perfect reflections that photographers dream about capturing.
Bachelor Butte and the Three Sisters peaks dominate the skyline while pristine lakes like Sparks and Elk offer excellent fishing opportunities. Dense ponderosa pine forests provide cool shade and release their signature vanilla scent on warm summer days.
Open seasonally from late spring through early fall, this high-elevation route rewards visitors with alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers.
4. Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
North America’s deepest river gorge creates a landscape so dramatic it seems carved by giants wielding massive tools. This 218-mile loop through northeastern Oregon reveals canyon walls that plunge over 7,900 feet from rim to river, creating an awe-inspiring testament to geological forces.
Ancient petroglyphs tell stories of indigenous peoples who called this rugged land home for thousands of years. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with bighorn sheep, elk, and eagles thriving in this remote wilderness.
Spring wildflower displays paint the canyon slopes in vibrant colors, while clear night skies offer spectacular stargazing far from city lights.
5. Historic Columbia River Highway
America’s first planned scenic highway, completed in 1922, remains an engineering marvel that gracefully curves through landscapes of extraordinary beauty. Vintage stone bridges and carefully designed viewpoints demonstrate how early highway builders respected and enhanced natural beauty rather than overwhelming it.
Each turn reveals another waterfall, with Latourell, Bridal Veil, and Wahkeena Falls creating a cascade corridor through moss-covered cliffs. The original highway’s narrow lanes and gentle curves encourage slow, contemplative travel.
Historic lodges and roadhouses along the route offer glimpses into early automobile tourism when this highway opened the gorge to adventurous motorists.
6. Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway
Known as the “Highway of Waterfalls,” this 172-mile route connects the southern Oregon Cascades to the coast through some of the most diverse landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Watson Falls thunders 272 feet down a basalt cliff, while dozens of smaller cascades create a symphony of flowing water.
Ancient forests of Douglas fir and cedar give way to unique geological formations including natural bridges and lava tubes. The Umpqua River provides excellent steelhead and salmon fishing opportunities.
Crater Lake’s southern approach offers dramatic volcanic vistas, while coastal redwood groves near the route’s end provide a fitting finale to this diverse journey.
7. Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
Stretching 500 miles from Crater Lake to Lassen Peak, this route tells the story of volcanic forces that shaped the Cascade Range over millions of years. Crater Lake’s impossibly blue waters fill a caldera created by Mount Mazama’s collapse 7,700 years ago.
Lava flows, cinder cones, and hot springs demonstrate ongoing geological activity along the Cascade volcanic arc. Alpine lakes nestled between volcanic peaks offer pristine wilderness experiences and excellent trout fishing.
The byway crosses multiple climate zones, from high desert sage brush to alpine meadows, creating incredible biodiversity and constantly changing scenery throughout the journey.
8. McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway
This 82-mile figure-eight loop through the heart of Oregon’s Cascades offers front-row seats to volcanic drama frozen in time. Recent lava flows create an otherworldly landscape of black rock fields where twisted metal sculptures seem to grow from the earth itself.
Clear Lake’s submerged forest preserves 3,000-year-old trees in crystal-clear waters, while hot springs provide natural relaxation spots. The historic Dee Wright Observatory at McKenzie Pass offers panoramic views of volcanic peaks.
Summer wildflower displays in high meadows create spectacular color shows, while winter transforms the route into a cross-country skiing paradise for the adventurous.
9. Oregon Outback Scenic Byway
Far from Oregon’s green reputation, this 180-mile journey through the state’s high desert reveals a landscape of surprising beauty and stark grandeur. Ancient lake beds create vast alkali flats that shimmer like mirrors under the desert sun.
Petroglyphs carved into cliff faces tell stories of indigenous peoples who thrived in this seemingly harsh environment. Steens Mountain rises dramatically from the desert floor, offering cool respite and panoramic views.
Wildlife adapted to desert conditions includes pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, and wild horses that roam freely across this remote landscape where solitude becomes a treasured companion.
10. North Cascades Highway
Washington’s State Route 20 earns its reputation as the most spectacular drive in the state by threading through jagged peaks that seem to scrape the sky. Glaciers cling to mountain faces while turquoise lakes reflect alpine splendor in colors so vivid they seem artificial.
Diablo Lake’s distinctive blue-green color comes from glacial flour suspended in the water, creating a natural phenomenon that amazes photographers. The highway closes in winter due to heavy snowfall, making summer access feel like discovering a secret world.
Wildlife viewing opportunities include black bears, mountain goats, and over 200 bird species that call this pristine wilderness home throughout the changing seasons.
11. Olympic Peninsula Loop
Encircling one of America’s most diverse national parks, this 330-mile loop showcases ecosystems ranging from temperate rainforest to rugged Pacific coastline. Ancient trees in the Hoh Rainforest create cathedral-like spaces draped in emerald moss and filtered sunlight.
Hurricane Ridge offers alpine views of glaciated peaks, while Ruby Beach displays sea stacks and tide pools teeming with marine life. Hot springs at Sol Duc provide natural relaxation after days of exploration.
The loop passes through charming towns like Port Townsend and Sequim, where Victorian architecture and local seafood create perfect stopping points along this incredibly diverse journey.
12. Chuckanut Drive
State Route 11’s 21 miles between Burlington and Bellingham prove that great things come in small packages. Carved into cliffsides above Puget Sound, this intimate drive offers sweeping views of the San Juan Islands scattered like emeralds across blue waters.
Oyster farms below the highway provide fresh shellfish for restaurants perched on the cliffs, creating a perfect combination of scenic beauty and culinary excellence. Larrabee State Park offers hiking trails and secluded beaches.
Each curve reveals new vistas of island-dotted waters, while pullouts provide perfect spots for photography and quiet contemplation of this coastal masterpiece that feels both grand and intimate.
13. Cascade Loop
This 440-mile grand circle tour combines Washington’s most spectacular mountain passes, fertile valleys, and pristine lakes into one unforgettable journey. The route connects North Cascades Highway with Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass, creating a comprehensive tour of Washington’s diverse landscapes.
Bavarian-themed Leavenworth provides alpine charm and excellent German cuisine, while Winthrop offers Wild West atmosphere complete with wooden sidewalks. Lake Chelan stretches 50 miles through glacier-carved valleys.
Apple orchards in Wenatchee Valley bloom spectacularly in spring, while autumn transforms the landscape into a tapestry of gold and red that rivals any postcard.
14. Palouse Scenic Byway
Rolling wheat fields create a landscape that looks like a giant green and gold quilt spread across eastern Washington’s gentle hills. This 208-mile route through the Palouse region reveals agricultural beauty that changes dramatically with the seasons and lighting conditions.
Historic barns and grain elevators dot the countryside like monuments to agricultural heritage, while the famous Palouse Falls plunges 198 feet into a dramatic basalt canyon. Small farming communities preserve rural traditions and hospitality.
Photographers flock here for sunrise and sunset shots when the rolling hills glow like waves of grain, creating some of the most iconic agricultural landscapes in America.
15. Mount Rainier Paradise Road
Climbing 5,400 feet from Longmire to Paradise, this spectacular mountain road offers increasingly dramatic views of Mount Rainier’s glaciated peak. Each switchback reveals new perspectives of Washington’s iconic mountain, from dense old-growth forests to alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers.
Paradise area lives up to its name with stunning wildflower displays that peak in late July and early August. The historic Paradise Inn provides rustic luxury with unparalleled mountain views from its great room.
Winter brings incredible snowfall that can reach 30 feet deep, transforming Paradise into a winter wonderland perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing adventures.
16. San Juan Islands Scenic Byway
Combining ferry rides with island driving, this unique byway hops between Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands, each offering distinct personalities and stunning water views. Ferry rides become part of the scenic experience, with opportunities to spot orcas, seals, and bald eagles.
Orcas Island’s Mount Constitution provides panoramic views of the entire archipelago, while San Juan Island offers charming Friday Harbor with its maritime museums and whale-watching tours. Lopez Island maintains a rural, agricultural character.
Island time moves slower here, encouraging visitors to embrace a relaxed pace while exploring art galleries, lavender farms, and secluded beaches accessible only by this maritime scenic route.
17. Stevens Pass Greenway
US Route 2 climbs through the heart of the Cascades, following the historic Great Northern Railway route that opened the Pacific Northwest to transcontinental travel. The Wenatchee River provides constant companionship as the highway winds through increasingly dramatic mountain scenery.
Tumwater Canyon offers spectacular views of granite cliffs and rushing water, while the summit provides access to world-class skiing and hiking trails. Historic railroad tunnels and snowsheds tell stories of early transportation challenges.
Autumn transforms the route into a corridor of gold as cottonwoods and aspens line the river, while spring brings wildflowers and rushing waterfalls fed by snowmelt from surrounding peaks.
18. Spirit Lake Memorial Highway
Built after Mount St. Helens’ 1980 eruption, State Route 504 provides unparalleled access to one of America’s most dramatic volcanic landscapes. The highway passes through the blast zone where the mountain’s lateral explosion flattened 230 square miles of forest in minutes.
Johnston Ridge Observatory offers front-row views of the crater and lava dome, while interpretive centers explain the eruption’s impact on local communities and ecosystems. Spirit Lake, once pristine, remains clogged with thousands of floating logs.
Recovery efforts demonstrate nature’s resilience as plants and animals slowly reclaim the devastated landscape, creating a living laboratory for studying ecological succession and volcanic impacts.
19. Whidbey Island Scenic Isle Way
State Route 525 transforms Whidbey Island into a peaceful retreat where rural landscapes meet Puget Sound shorelines. Historic Coupeville preserves 19th-century maritime heritage with wooden buildings and a working wharf that continues welcoming boats after more than a century.
Deception Pass Bridge provides dramatic views of swirling tidal currents below, while Ebey’s Landing offers prairie walks with Olympic Mountain views. Lighthouses at different points guide both ships and sightseers.
The island’s agricultural heritage shines through in farmers markets, berry farms, and pastoral landscapes that feel worlds away from nearby Seattle’s urban energy and constant motion.
20. Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway
State Route 821 follows the Yakima River through a dramatic basalt canyon where towering cliffs create a natural corridor perfect for wildlife viewing. Bighorn sheep, elk, and over 100 bird species thrive in this riparian oasis surrounded by high desert landscapes.
The river provides excellent fishing for rainbow trout and steelhead, while canyon walls reveal geological layers spanning millions of years. Roza Dam creates pools that attract waterfowl and provide irrigation for surrounding agricultural lands.
Spring brings wildflower displays to canyon slopes, while autumn colors reflect in quiet river pools, creating perfect conditions for photography and peaceful contemplation in this hidden gem of central Washington.
