Although winter in Washington is far from the worst in the nation, it isn’t entirely mild or predictable, either. The North Cascades Highway, Chinook Pass, and plenty of other roads close down for the season, and Snoqualmie Pass can single-handedly ruin your holiday plans with its volatile weather. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stay home until spring! Absolutely not – depending on what part of the state you live in, you can still hit the road safely this season. Here are a few weekend trips you can take at any time, no matter what time of year it might be. Feel free to adjust your starting points as you see fit! Which winter drives in Washington would you say are your favorites? Let us know.

1. The Pacific Coast Highway
Ken Lund / Flickr
Hayden / Flickr
If you ask anyone what the most amazing drive in the United States is, a lot of them might just mention this one. While parts of Olympic National Park are covered in snow all winter, the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 101) tends to stay drivable. And winter is the perfect time to go storm-watching on the coast. Learn more about this absolutely amazing winter drive in Washington (and beyond) and decide if it's for you. Spoiler: yes.
2. Spokane to Cle Elum
verifex / Flickr
Suncadia Resort/Facebook
I-90 can be treacherous at times, but if you take this road trip on a mild winter day, it's perfectly fine - plus, Suncadia Resort is a beautiful winter destination in Washington. You can go ice skating or snowshoeing before warming up by the fireplace in the massive lobby! If you're hoping for your winter drive with a side of rest and relaxation, go with this one. It is impossible to regret.
3. Olympia to Seattle
Experience Olympia and Beyond/Facebook
Dave Morrow / Flickr
Our state's capital usually just gets a light coating of snow each winter. The drive to Seattle is short and easy, and the worst you'll deal with is some rain. Plus, Seattle looks magical during the holiday season! There are reasons why it's one of our favorite winter towns in Washington.
4. The Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Hood River County, OR 97031, USA
City of Stevenson/ Facbook
Take Highway 14 from Vancouver to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and you'll have a whole new appreciation for this part of Washington. The fishing crowd and the windsurfers have gone home for the year, so you'll enjoy plenty of peace and quiet.

Washington is gorgeous in any season, but there’s something special about seeing its landscapes dusted with snow. What are your favorite things about Washington in the winter? Do you know of any amazing winter drives in Washington that we left out? Let us know in the comments (and we love photos, too).

For more amazing things to do in Washington during the winter, you might want to check out some of the most amazing places to explore in WA when it’s cold.

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More to Explore

Winter Drives

Tori Jane | November 22, 2022
  1. What are some truly amazing scenic seasonal drives in Washington?  

There are many amazing scenic winter drives in Washington – they're amazing all year long, but they become something of a wonderland when covered in snow. Among our favorites are:  

2. Which winter drives in Washington should I add to my bucket list?  

Some awesome winter drives in Washington you ought to add to your bucket list ASAP include gems like:  

 

3. What are some of the best scenic drives in WA?  

Winter is obviously not the only time for a good scenic drive in WA – there are plenty of other amazing drives in Washington worth doing, like:  

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