Grand Pacific Northwest Road Trip

551.1 miles: 10 hours, 48 minutes

This trip is grand indeed, taking you on a spectacularly scenic journey through two states. The Columbia River Gorge—carved through volcanic rock by the mighty Columbia River—is an 80-mile stretch of towering basalt cliffs and sweeping panoramic views, while Mount Rainier National Park is dominated by its towering, ice-capped namesake, an iconic Northwest landmark.

Fololia.com/Cheryl Hill

Portland, OR to Umatilla, OR

187.6 miles: 3 hours, 14 minutes

The Historic Columbia River Highway winds in and out of lush green woods, crosses moss-flecked stone bridges and provides direct access to an awesome series of waterfalls. Chanticleer Point, within Portland Women’s Forum State Park (take the signed turnoff) offers an incredible vista of Columbia Gorge. Two-tiered Multnomah Falls, 620 feet tall, is another must-see.

Recommended Stops

Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum

990 S.W. Rock Creek Dr. Stevenson, WA 98648

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum

5000 Discovery Dr. The Dalles, OR 97058

Shutterstock.com/Christopher Boswell

Umatilla, OR to Yakima, WA

111.7 miles: 2 hours, 3 minutes

I-82 passes through the arid, desert-like Columbia and Yakima valleys. Here the combination of hot summer days, cool nights and rich volcanic soils is perfect for growing grapes, and irrigated vineyards flourish. An architectural oddity along the way is the Teapot Dome; just off I-82 in Zillah; this squat little red-and-white building is appropriately named.

Recommended Stops

East Benton County Historical Society Museum

205 Keewaydin Dr. Kennewick, WA 99336

Yakima Valley Trolleys (YVT)

306 W. Pine St. Yakima, WA 98902

AAA Photo

Yakima, WA to Mount Rainier National Park, WA

96.4 miles: 2 hours, 11 minutes

Mount Rainier National Park is a real showstopper. In addition to the 14,412-foot mountain, which can be seen as far away as Seattle, its scenic highlights include majestic glaciers, beautiful old-growth forests and alpine meadows filled with summer wildflowers. Weather plays a big role in getting around the park; the best time to visit is mid-June through August.

Recommended Stops

Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise

Paradise Road Ashford, WA 98304

Nisqually-Longmire-Paradise Road

Mount Rainier National Park Ashford, WA 98304

Stevens Canyon Road

Stevens Canyon Rd. & Nisqually-Longmire-Paradise Rd. Paradise Inn, WA 98398

tvphoto/iStockphoto.com

Mount Rainier National Park, WA to Portland, OR

155.3 miles: 3 hours, 18 minutes

The little hamlet of Mineral, on scenic SR 7, boasts a gem in 277-acre Mineral Lake, graced with the spectacular backdrop of Mount Rainier and known for its world-class trout fishing. Two more highlights await in Portland, where nature lovers will find abundant beauty at the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden, both in Washington Park.

Recommended Stops

Washington Park

S.W. Rose Garden Way & S.W. Kingston Ave. Portland, OR 97201

International Rose Test Garden

400 S.W. Kingston Ave. Portland, OR 97201

Portland Japanese Garden

611 S.W. Kingston Ave. Portland, OR 97205