10 Fantastic Stops on a Vancouver to Seattle Road Trip

I’ve done the drive from Vancouver to Seattle more times than I can count, probably close to 20 at this point. Sometimes it’s a full Vancouver weekend trip, sometimes a long day in the city for food and wandering, sometimes a concert at Rogers Arena, and a few times on the way up to Whistler. I know this stretch of highway well enough to know exactly where to stop, when to take the side roads, and which exits are worth the detour.

What most people don’t realize is that this route offers some of the Pacific Northwest’s best scenery and most interesting stops. Most drivers just put it on autopilot and blast through on I-5, which means they miss Steveston’s waterfront, the tulip fields of Skagit Valley, Chuckanut Drive hugging the coast, and a string of towns worth slowing down for.

Whether you’re making the trip for a weekend in Vancouver, a day visit, or you’re a Seattle local heading north, here are the 10 stops I’d tell any friend to make along the way.

Tips for a Vancouver to Seattle Road Trip

Apart from being a fantastic road trip idea for couples, this journey is family-friendly and great for solo adventurers.

How Far Is the Drive From Vancouver to Seattle?

The direct drive from Vancouver to Seattle on I-5 is 142 miles and takes about two and a half hours without traffic. With stops along the way, budget a full day if you want to explore properly, or two days if you want to overnight in Bellingham and take your time.

How Long Does the Vancouver to Seattle Drive Take With Stops?

It depends on how many stops you make. A quick version with two or three stops takes about four to five hours total. A full day hitting most of the stops on this list takes eight to ten hours. The two day version with an overnight in Bellingham is the most relaxed way to do it.

Do I Need a Passport to Cross From Canada to the US?

Yes. You will need a valid passport to cross the border from Canada into the United States. US citizens can also use a passport card or an Enhanced Driver’s License if their state issues one. Washington State issues Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, which are accepted at land border crossings. Make sure your documents are easily accessible before you reach the crossing.

What Documentation Do I Need?

In addition to your passport, bring your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance papers. If you are driving a rental car, have your rental agreement with you. Border agents may ask to see any of these.

How Many Border Crossings Are There?

There are four main border crossings on a Vancouver to Seattle road trip. From west to east, they are Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Lynden/Aldergrove, and Sumas/Abbotsford. Peace Arch is the most popular and connects directly to I-5, making it the most convenient for this route. The Pacific Highway crossing tends to have shorter wait times and is worth considering if Peace Arch looks backed up.

What Should I Know About the Border Crossing?

With no congestion, crossing the border takes anywhere from ten to thirty minutes. Factor at least 45 minutes into your schedule to be safe. Peak hours during the week are typically between 3 pm and 6 pm. Weekends are the busiest overall, so if you have flexibility, crossing on a weekday morning is the smoothest option. You can check live border wait times at the WSDOT website before you leave.

When Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Seattle?

June through September is the sweet spot. The weather is warm and dry, the days are long, and the city is at its most lively. July and August are peak season, so expect more crowds and higher hotel rates. September is my favorite month – still warm, noticeably fewer tourists, and the fall light on Puget Sound is something else. If you’re coming for the Skagit Valley tulips, plan for April.

I’ve been using Roadtrippers for years to help me plan out my trips and find fun stops along the way. Use my code “BTR5QTP” for $5 off when you sign up!

Another fun trip is the Seattle to Banff road trip.

Vancouver to Seattle Road Trip Map

Here’s a visual representation of everywhere you’ll stop:

10 Stops on a Vancouver to Seattle Road Trip

Even though these two fun cities are only a short distance apart, there are plenty of attractions along the way. Depending on your vacation aspirations, you’ll find plenty of exciting things to do, plus some beautiful sights.

Here are 10 stops worth visiting on your Vancouver to Seattle road trip. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on these.

1. Richmond, BC

I drove through Richmond countless times on trips up to Vancouver before I finally stopped. It wasn’t until a media trip around 2016 that I actually explored it properly, and it completely changed how I think about this stretch of the drive.

Richmond has one of the highest concentrations of Chinese restaurants outside of Asia, and the food is world class. The Seattle Times once called it the dim sum capital of North America, and after eating my way through it on that media trip, I’m inclined to agree. For dim sum specifically, Fisherman’s Terrace Seafood Restaurant inside Aberdeen Centre and Chef Tony Seafood Restaurant on No. 3 Road are two of my favorite spots in the city. Both are busy on weekends, so it’s worth making a reservation in advance.

Aberdeen Centre itself is worth a stop even if you’re not eating. I was completely blown away when I walked in for the first time, as it’s enormous. It was North America’s first Asian mall when it opened in 1989 and holds a Guinness World Record. Three levels of shops, including the massive Daiso Japanese dollar store, an 800-seat food court, and a musical fountain show that runs every hour in the main atrium. It’s unlike any mall I’ve been to before.

Looking for another Canadian adventure? You’ll love the drive from Vancouver to Banff.

2. Steveston, BC

I’d driven past Steveston so many times without stopping, and the first time I finally did, I couldn’t believe I’d been missing it. I’ve been back five times since. It’s a historic fishing village right on the Fraser River, one of the cutest waterfront towns I’ve ever been to, with a relaxed energy that makes it really easy to stay longer than you planned.

One thing I was so excited to learn is that Steveston was the filming location for the ABC show Once Upon a Time, which ran from 2011 to 2018. The whole town doubled as the fictional town of Storybrooke, and you can walk Moncton Street and recognize buildings from the show. Granny’s Diner is actually the Cannery Cafe, and Mr. Gold’s Pawn Shop is still right there on the main street. Even if you’ve never seen the show, it’s a fun piece of trivia for a town this charming.

For food, Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant is my go-to for the seafood linguine, especially on a warm day when you can sit outside with views of the river. For a drink, Britannia Brewing is a short walk away and worth stopping in for a sampler flight. And if you’re a fan of anything British, don’t miss the Best of British shop on the main street. I’ve stocked up on UK snacks and candy every single time I’ve been here.

3. Bellingham, WA

Bellingham holds a special place for me because I went to college at Western Washington University, so I lived here for years and know it well. I always look for an excuse to stop along the way.

The brewery scene here is genuinely exceptional for a city this size. Aslan Brewing is my personal favorite, an organic brewery with a full food menu and a great atmosphere downtown. Otherlands is worth knowing about, too, a small brewery with a European menu and a perfect outdoor patio for sunny days (I’ve stopped here after many hikes). Kulshan Brewery is the quintessential neighborhood spot with rotating food trucks and over 20 beers on tap.

Whatcom Falls Park is a must-stop, especially if you have time for a short hike. The falls are beautiful, and the forest trail to get there is one of those spots that reminds you how good the Pacific Northwest is. It’s free, it’s easy to access, and it never gets old, no matter how many times I’ve been.

After, walk down to the Bellingham waterfront along the Boulevard Park trail and watch the ferries crossing the bay. The waterfront redevelopment has made this one of the state’s nicest stretches of waterfront.

4. Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway, WA

Chuckanut Drive is one of my favorite drives. It makes you forget you’re on a road trip and feel like you’re just driving for the pleasure of it. The 22-mile scenic byway runs between Bellingham and Burlington along some of the most beautiful coastline in Washington, with long winding curves, Puget Sound views, and forest on both sides. I compare it to Big Sur every time I drive it.

Stop at Taylor Shellfish Farms along the way for fresh oysters right at the water. It’s a working farm, and the setup is rustic, picnic tables and all, which makes it even better. Get there early on weekends because it fills up fast. Chuckanut Bay Gallery and Sculpture Garden is worth a stop if you’re in the mood for handcrafted art and garden sculptures from over 400 local artists. Pull over at Dogfish Point for the best views of the whole stretch.

Note: Chuckanut Drive occasionally has closures due to rockslides, so it’s worth checking road conditions before you go.

5. Anacortes, WA

Anacortes is a town that most people only pass through on the way to catch the ferry to the San Juan Islands. I did the same thing for years before I actually stopped. I’ve been twice for full weekend trips, stopping regularly for lunch on my way to the islands, and it keeps pulling me back.

Washington Park has a loop trail with views of the San Juan Islands that I think about long after I leave. Cap Sante Park is a quick stop with a panoramic view over the marina and the town below, and it’s especially good at sunset. If you want to get on the water, there are whale watching tours departing from the marina that rank among the best I’ve done in Washington.

Downtown on Commercial Avenue has good local shopping and a really relaxed pace. Adrift is my top restaurant pick for locally sourced seafood, and the rooftop happy hour at Majestic Bistro and Bar is worth timing your stop around.

Want to extend your trip? Head down to Oregon to go on a Seattle to Portland road trip or a road trip from Seattle to Cannon Beach.

6. La Conner, WA 

La Conner has been on my radar since 2008, when my now-husband and I took a spontaneous afternoon trip there from Western Washington University. I still remember walking along the Swinomish Channel and getting beers at La Conner Brewing. It stuck with me for years, so I went back recently for a full day, and it absolutely delivered.

First Street along the waterfront is the heart of town, lined with art galleries, antique shops, and good food. The Museum of Northwest Art is worth a stop if you have an hour. La Conner Waterfront Cafe is my pick for lunch with local seafood and channel views. La Conner Brewing is still a great spot for a pint, and the Rainbow Bridge makes for a great photo stop on your way in or out.

If you’re here in April, the tulip fields in the surrounding Skagit Valley are spectacular and easy to combine with a stop in town.

7. Skagit Valley, WA 

If tulips, daffodils, and farmers’ markets are your thing, Skagit Valley is worth a short detour off the highway.

In April, the valley transforms into something that stops you in your tracks. Millions of tulips in bloom across hundreds of acres of farmland, every color you can imagine laid out flat against the Cascade foothills. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs the entire month of April and is the largest tulip festival in the country. I go almost every year, and it never gets old, but it gets very crowded. Go on a weekday, either first thing in the morning or late afternoon, to avoid the worst of it.

In March, La Conner hosts the Daffodil Festival with a similar scene, just in yellow. It’s less well known than the tulip festival, which means smaller crowds and a more relaxed experience. Grab a bouquet on your way out.

For food, Calico Cupboard Cafe in Mount Vernon is a place I keep coming back to. Everything is made from scratch, and the baked goods alone are worth the stop. For coffee and a beer, Skagit River Brewery downtown is my go-to in the area and a great place to decompress after a morning in the fields.

Driving from Seattle to Crater Lake is another beautiful road trip to go on, or you can drive to San Diego from Seattle.

8. Everett, WA

Everett gets overlooked as a road-trip stop, but I go all the time, and it has a lot going for it, especially if you have kids. The Imagine Children’s Museum is one of the best children’s museums in Washington state. My kids have been countless times, and it never gets old.

In summer, Jetty Island is a short free ferry ride from the waterfront and one of the best low-key family adventures in the area, a long sandy island with calm, warm water that feels nothing like the rest of Puget Sound.

For baseball fans, catching an AquaSox game at Everett Memorial Stadium is one of the best deals in the PNW. Minor league baseball, affordable tickets, and a fun crowd right downtown.

For breweries, Middleton Brewing is a quirky one-barrel pub that uses interesting ingredients like coconut and peanut butter in its beers. Scuttlebutt is the Everett institution, a family-owned brewery with a full food menu right on the waterfront. For dinner, Lombardi’s Italian on the waterfront has a patio overlooking the Port of Everett marina that is hard to beat on a sunny day.

9. Edmonds, WA

Edmonds is easily one of my favorite towns in Washington. I’m downtown multiple times a week, working at my coworking space, meeting friends for lunch, or just walking to the beach.

The beach is the first stop. There are actual sandy beaches here, which aren’t common on Puget Sound, and you can sit and watch the ferry go back and forth to Kingston while the mountains frame the whole scene. It’s one of the best free views in the state. Sunset here is something I never get tired of.

For lunch, Market is my go-to. The lobster rolls are the best around, either the cold Maine version or the hot Connecticut style. Order ahead online on weekends because the line gets long.

For coffee, Waterfront Coffee right by the ferry is my regular spot for a latte before a beach walk. Downtown has great local shops, a Saturday farmers market most of the year, and a walkable marina area. The Edmonds underwater park is also right off the beach and one of the most popular scuba diving spots in Washington, if that’s your thing.

10. Ballard, WA

Ballard is a neighborhood in Seattle with deep Scandinavian roots, a thriving brewery scene, and some of the most interesting free things to do in the city before you officially arrive downtown.

Start at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, known locally as the Ballard Locks, built in 1917, where Puget Sound’s saltwater meets the Ship Canal’s freshwater. Walking along and watching boats of all sizes navigate through it is genuinely fascinating, and in summer, there’s a constant stream of yachts, fishing boats, and kayaks. If you visit in September, walk to the fish ladder to watch salmon making their way upstream, including an underwater viewing area that my kids love every time we go. Free to visit and easy to spend an hour at.

The National Nordic Museum on NW Market Street is worth a stop to understand the Scandinavian history that shaped this neighborhood. It’s the only museum in the US dedicated to all five Nordic nationalities, and the building is beautifully designed. I have some of my favorite photos from outside the museum, including one next to the famous Fremont Troll sculpture nearby.

For beer, Maritime Pacific Brewing has been part of the Ballard scene since 1990 and is a reliable stop with a full food menu. For a nightcap, Percy’s and Co. on Ballard Ave does apothecary-inspired cocktails in an intimate setting. And if there’s live music at Tractor Tavern while you’re in town, go. I’ve seen many bands play there over the years, and it holds only a few hundred people, so every show feels personal.

Want to continue your journey? You can east on a Seattle to Glacier National Park drive or south from Seattle to San Francisco.

Vancouver to Seattle Road Trip Itinerary: Full Day (8 to 10 hours)

Start early in Richmond for dim sum at Fisherman’s Terrace before heading to Steveston for a walk along the waterfront. Cross the border and stop in Bellingham for Whatcom Falls Park and a beer at Aslan.

Take Chuckanut Drive south instead of getting back on I-5, stopping at Taylor Shellfish Farms for oysters along the way. Continue to Anacortes for Cap Sante Park and lunch at Adrift, then wind through La Conner for a walk along the Swinomish Channel.

Cut back to I-5 through the Skagit Valley tulip fields, stop in Everett for a drink at Scuttlebutt on the waterfront, then finish in Edmonds for a walk on the beach before arriving in Ballard for dinner and a nightcap at Percy’s and Co.

Vancouver to Seattle Itinerary: Two Days

Day 1: Vancouver to Bellingham

Start in Richmond for dim sum, then head to Steveston for a waterfront walk. Cross the border and take your time in Bellingham, starting with Whatcom Falls Park, then Aslan Brewing for lunch, and a walk along the Boulevard Park waterfront trail. Spend the evening exploring the brewery scene and have dinner downtown before turning in for the night.

Day 2: Bellingham to Seattle

Take Chuckanut Drive south first thing, stopping at Taylor Shellfish Farms for fresh oysters. Continue to Anacortes for Cap Sante Park and a walk at Washington Park, then wind through La Conner for lunch along the Swinomish Channel. Drive through the Skagit Valley tulip fields, stop in Everett for the waterfront, then Edmonds for the beach and sunset. Finish the drive in Ballard for dinner and live music at Tractor Tavern before settling into Seattle.

You’ll love all these stops on the Vancouver to Seattle road trip!