9 Roads In Washington That Were Made For Summer Sunday Drives
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Jessica Wick
Author
When was the last time you filled your gas tank, packed a few snacks, and hit the road for a relaxing Sunday drive? Rising fuel prices and busy schedules don’t make it easy, but sometimes it’s good to get behind the wheel and enjoy a little nostalgia. Now that summer has arrived in Washington, these scenic roads offer just that.
Chuckanut Drive is located between Bow and Bellingham, and it's absolutely amazing, especially in the summer. Spend the day enjoying the food scene in the Edison-Bow area, then catch the sunset on Chuckanut Drive for a perfect summer day.
No offense to the western half of our state, but there's truly nothing like an Eastern Washington summer. Take it all in with a Sunday drive on the Spokane River Loop, which takes you from the city of Spokane past Riverside State Park and Nine Mile Falls with plenty of rural scenery in between.
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This 44-mile stretch of road between Burbank and Waitsburg in Eastern Washington is absolutely delightful on a summer day.
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There are plenty of recreational opportunities along this 119-mile byway, but even if you stick to the road, you'll see a lot of breathtaking views. The byway connects Yakima County and Lewis County over White Pass.
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For much of the year, this 58-mile scenic byway is mostly covered in snow. But on a warm, sunny summer day, it practically glistens. You'll start in Bellingham and follow the Nooksack River to Mount Baker’s Artist Point.
Canyon Road runs from a junction with I-82 south of Ellensburg to another junction north of Selah. The route follows the Yakima River through a deep canyon surrounded by hills. It's only about 26 miles long, so it's a beautiful drive to take when you're short on time.
Driving along State Route 410 between the towns of Enumclaw and Naches is incredible -- in fact, you'll want to allow plenty of time to stop and take it all in. This scenic byway offers unparalleled views of Mt. Rainier.
This 40-mile stretch takes you from Republic to Kettle Falls, showcasing the point where the Columbia River Plateau meets the Northern Rocky Mountains. It won't be crowded, but you'll want to take its winding curves slowly.
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Highway 14 runs along the Columbia River from Vancouver east through the gorge, and while it's a relaxing drive any time of year, it's magical on a warm summer Sunday.
Summers in Washington fly by pretty quickly. Have you made your bucket list yet?
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