Ready to hit the road and see some of the coolest spots Washington has to offer?
This epic drive from Seattle to Spokane is packed with waterfalls, pine-scented forests, small towns with big personalities, and some seriously wow-worthy views.
Whether you’re into hikes, snacks or just jamming to your favorite playlist with the windows down, this road trip will be one for the history books.
Ready? Let’s map out every excellent stop along the way!
1. Seattle
We’re starting the road trip over in Seattle, a city surrounded by water, mountains, and tons of evergreen trees.
It’s known for the iconic 605-foot Space Needle, legendary coffee roots (yes, Starbucks started here), and fish-tossing fun at Pike Place Market.
You can see Mount Rainier when the skies are clear, take a ferry across Puget Sound, or geek out at the Museum of Pop Culture exhibits.
2. Snoqualmie Falls
Just around 30 minutes east of Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls crashes down 268 feet with a thunder so loud you’ll feel it in your chest.
An easy walking trail leads to a lower viewpoint, while a cute gift shop and the historic Salish Lodge sit right at the top of the falls.
Fun fact: This epic waterfall was featured in the cult TV show Twin Peaks, so don’t be surprised if it feels weirdly familiar.
3. Lake Easton State Park
About 45 minutes past Snoqualmie Falls, Lake Easton State Park is the perfect pit stop if you’re craving some forest time and a leg stretch.
It’s got a big lake where you can swim, kayak, or skip rocks, plus shaded picnic areas and forested trails like the 5-mile Lake Easton Loop.
This super chill park is less crowded than the popular ones, and in fall, the trees turn stunning shades of red and orange.
4. Cle Elum
Keep cruising east and you’ll roll into Cle Elum, a small mountain town that’s all about wild west beauty and outdoor fun.
Downtown features old-school brick buildings, cozy coffee shops, and the famous Cle Elum Bakery, where the maple bars alone are worth the detour.
If you’ve got time, hit the Coal Mines Trail—a flat 5.5-mile path that traces the area’s mining past and links Cle Elum to the nearby town of Roslyn.
5. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
As the scenery shifts from forest to desert, Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park feels like entering an entirely different world.
Right off I-90 near Vantage, this spot shows off one of the most diverse fossilized forests in the U.S.
Petrified logs are scattered along dusty trails, with epic views of the Columbia River below.
Swing by the visitor center to see polished petrified wood, ancient petroglyphs, and learn how 15-million-year-old trees turned into cool-looking rocks.
6. Moses Lake
About 45 minutes east of Ginkgo, Moses Lake is a sunny, fun-filled stop known for water adventures and wide-open skies.
The lake itself covers over 6,500 acres, perfect for jet skiing, paddleboarding, or floating at Blue Heron Park, which has a sandy beach and a boat launch.
If you’re hungry, grab a burger at Michael’s on the Lake—it’s got lakeside views and seriously good onion rings.
7. Palouse Falls State Park
Leave the calm pace of Moses Lake behind and head southeast to Palouse Falls State Park, where things get way more dramatic.
Here, the Palouse River drops 200 feet into a rugged canyon, creating a waterfall so stunning it was named Washington’s official state waterfall.
You can follow a short trail to the lookout point, and if you go at sunset, the cliffs glow with orange and gold light.
8. Spokane
The final stop on our epic Washington road trip is Spokane, a city with a buzzing downtown as well as tons of awesome nature opportunities.
Right in the middle of town, you’ll find Riverfront Park with a giant red wagon slide, a gondola over Spokane Falls, and a 1974 World’s Fair clock tower.
Don’t leave without walking through the Garland District for retro movie theaters, vintage shops, and some of the best milkshakes you’ll ever taste.
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