We might be a bit biased, but it’s not an exaggeration to say that Washington has some of the best scenic drives in the country. After all, we have such diverse scenery here, you can road trip in any directions and see a dozen different landscapes.

As a matter of fact, a few of our road trip routes sometimes receive national attention. The North Cascades Highway is definitely one of them. If you’ve never cruised down this stretch of Highway 20, make this the summer you do.

The North Cascades Highway stretches about 250 miles out and back from Sedro-Woolley to Winthrop.
Ed Suominen / Flickr
This is an amazing way to see the majority of the highlights of North Cascades National Park without venturing far from your car (or even leaving it if you don't want to). This adventure is best taken in the summertime, when the weather is beautiful. As you can imagine, this road gets treacherous after the first snowfall.
Your journey begins in the Sedro-Woolley area, from which you'll head east down Highway 20.
Jim Culp / Flickr
You'll parallel the beautiful Skagit River for awhile before heading into the gorgeous mountains.
You'll see everything from mountain peaks to lakes and lush forests on this drive.
ki0ki / TripAdvisor
The route is truly remarkable, especially on a sunny day.

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One of the spots worth stopping for is definitely the Washington Pass Overlook, which is within North Cascades National Park.
Rishu S / TripAdvisor
On a clear day, you'll feel like you can see all over the state.
If you have time to get out and stretch your legs, there are plenty of fantastic hiking trails to enjoy along the way.
Eric A / Google
One short and sweet hike takes you to the Rainy Pass Picnic Area. As the name implies, this is the perfect place to stop and have a picnic lunch.
Whatever you do, don't pass up the chance to stop and take photos at the Diablo Lake Overlook.
Amy the Nurse / Flickr
The iconic Diablo Lake almost always looks turquoise, and it's absolutely breathtaking. The overlook offers the perfect view.
Before you know it, you'll end up in Washington's Old West town, Winthrop.
Jasperdo / Flickr
Do some shopping, enjoy a meal, have an outdoor adventure, or spend the night. Winthrop will steal your heart.

What’s your favorite scenic road trip route in Washington?

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Featured Addresses
North Cascades Highway, N Cascades Hwy, Sedro-Woolley, WA, USA