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10 Day Washington State Road Trip



Pike Place Market Watercolor

Here's a detailed 10-day Washington State Road trip itinerary focusing on cultural experiences, food tours, and historical sites, designed to fit within a $300-$400 daily budget. This assumes the budget covers accommodation, food, activities, and gas. Adjustments may be needed based on your specific accommodation choices (camping vs. hotels, etc.).

Road Trip Overview:

  • Starting Point: Seattle

  • Loop: Seattle - Tacoma - Olympia - Astoria (Oregon, but close and historically relevant) - Longview/Kelso - Mount St. Helens - Yakima - Leavenworth - Seattle

  • Vehicle: A standard car is suitable for this trip.

  • Accommodation: A mix of budget-friendly hotels (e.g., Best Western, Comfort Inn), motels, and potentially some Airbnb options to save on costs. Consider booking in advance, especially during peak season.

  • Food: Mix of affordable restaurants, local eateries, farmers' markets, and some splurge meals.

  • Flexibility: This is a suggested itinerary. Feel free to adjust based on your interests and time.

Day 1: Seattle - Pike Place Market & Pioneer Square (Budget: $350)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Arrive in Seattle (SeaTac Airport). Pick up your rental car.

  • Morning (10:00 AM): Check into your hotel near downtown Seattle (consider areas like Belltown or South Lake Union for a balance of cost and convenience). Leave your luggage.

  • Late Morning (11:00 AM): Pike Place Market. Explore the market, sample local produce, watch the fish throwing, and grab a coffee at the original Starbucks. Budget $30 for snacks and souvenirs.

  • Lunch (1:00 PM): Pike Place Chowder (expect a line, but it's worth it). Budget $25.

  • Afternoon (2:30 PM): Pioneer Square. Take a guided Underground Tour to learn about Seattle's history and the Great Fire. Budget $30 per person.

  • Late Afternoon (4:30 PM): Explore the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Free admission.

  • Evening (6:30 PM): Dinner at Ivar's Acres of Clams on the waterfront for classic seafood with a view. Budget $50.

  • Evening (8:00 PM): Optional: Seattle Great Wheel for a nighttime view of the city. Budget $17 per person.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Seattle ($150 - $200).

Day 2: Seattle - Museums & Culture (Budget: $320)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Explore exhibits on music, science fiction, and popular culture. Budget $35 per person.

  • Late Morning (11:30 AM): Walk around Seattle Center, see the Space Needle (optional visit, extra cost), and enjoy the atmosphere.

  • Lunch (1:00 PM): Dick's Drive-In for a classic Seattle burger experience. Budget $15.

  • Afternoon (2:00 PM): Explore the International District/Chinatown. Visit the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. Budget $20 per person for the museum.

  • Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Stroll through the Kubota Garden, a serene Japanese garden. Free admission.

  • Evening (6:30 PM): Dinner in the International District. Try Dim Sum or Pho. Budget $30.

  • Evening (8:00 PM): Optional: Catch a show at the Paramount Theatre (check listings and book in advance).

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Seattle ($150 - $200).

Day 3: Tacoma - History & Art (Budget: $300)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Drive from Seattle to Tacoma (approx. 1 hour).

  • Morning (10:00 AM): Museum of Glass. Watch glassblowing demonstrations and explore contemporary glass art. Budget $20 per person.

  • Late Morning (12:00 PM): Walk across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass to downtown Tacoma.

  • Lunch (1:00 PM): The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Tacoma. Budget $25.

  • Afternoon (2:30 PM): Washington State History Museum. Learn about the history of Washington State. Budget $15 per person.

  • Late Afternoon (4:30 PM): Explore Point Defiance Park. Walk along the waterfront, visit the gardens, or see the animals at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (optional, extra cost).

  • Evening (6:30 PM): Dinner at a local Tacoma restaurant. Consider a seafood option. Budget $40.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Tacoma ($100 - $150).

Day 4: Olympia & Astoria - State Capital & Coastal History (Budget: $330)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Drive from Tacoma to Olympia (approx. 1 hour).

  • Morning (10:00 AM): Visit the Washington State Capitol Building. Take a free tour.

  • Late Morning (11:30 AM): Explore the Olympia Farmers Market (seasonal).

  • Lunch (1:00 PM): Grab lunch at the Olympia Farmers Market or a nearby cafe. Budget $20.

  • Afternoon (2:00 PM): Drive from Olympia to Astoria, Oregon (approx. 2 hours).

  • Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Explore Astoria's historic downtown. Visit the Astoria Column for panoramic views (small fee).

  • Evening (6:30 PM): Dinner at a seafood restaurant in Astoria. Try Bowpicker Fish & Chips (a local favorite, but be prepared for a line). Budget $45.

  • Evening (8:00 PM): Walk along the Astoria Riverfront and enjoy the views of the Columbia River.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Astoria ($120 - $170).

Day 5: Astoria & Longview/Kelso - Maritime History & Logging (Budget: $310)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Columbia River Maritime Museum. Learn about the history of the Columbia River and maritime activities. Budget $18 per person.

  • Late Morning (11:00 AM): Explore Fort Clatsop, part of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Budget $10 per person.

  • Lunch (1:00 PM): Grab a quick lunch in Astoria before heading out. Budget $20.

  • Afternoon (2:00 PM): Drive from Astoria to Longview/Kelso (approx. 1.5 hours).

  • Late Afternoon (3:30 PM): Visit the Cowlitz County Historical Museum in Kelso to learn about the local logging history. Budget $5 per person.

  • Evening (6:30 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant in Longview/Kelso. Budget $40.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Longview/Kelso ($100 - $150).

Day 6: Mount St. Helens - Volcanic History (Budget: $340)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Drive from Longview/Kelso to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (approx. 1 hour).

  • Morning (10:00 AM): Visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory for stunning views of the volcano and learn about the 1980 eruption. Budget $8 per person.

  • Late Morning (12:00 PM): Hike one of the many trails in the monument. Choose a trail based on your fitness level and time.

  • Lunch (1:30 PM): Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the viewpoints. Budget $20.

  • Afternoon (3:00 PM): Visit the Coldwater Lake Recreation Area.

  • Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Drive from Mount St. Helens to Yakima (approx. 3 hours).

  • Evening (8:00 PM): Dinner in Yakima. Explore the local restaurant scene. Budget $45.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Yakima ($120 - $170).

Day 7: Yakima - Wine Country & Agriculture (Budget: $320)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Visit the Yakima Area Arboretum. Free admission.

  • Late Morning (10:30 AM): Wine tasting at a local Yakima Valley winery. Many wineries offer affordable tasting flights. Budget $25.

  • Lunch (1:00 PM): Enjoy lunch at a winery restaurant or a local cafe in Yakima. Budget $35.

  • Afternoon (2:30 PM): Explore the Yakima Valley Museum to learn about the region's history and agriculture. Budget $10 per person.

  • Late Afternoon (4:30 PM): Visit a local fruit stand or farm to purchase fresh produce.

  • Evening (6:30 PM): Dinner at a restaurant in Yakima. Budget $45.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Yakima ($120 - $170).

Day 8: Leavenworth - Bavarian Village (Budget: $350)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Drive from Yakima to Leavenworth (approx. 2 hours).

  • Morning (11:00 AM): Explore the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth. Wander through the shops, admire the architecture, and enjoy the atmosphere.

  • Lunch (1:00 PM): Enjoy a German lunch at a restaurant in Leavenworth. Try bratwurst or schnitzel. Budget $40.

  • Afternoon (2:30 PM): Visit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. Budget $5 per person.

  • Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Hike to a viewpoint overlooking Leavenworth (e.g., Blackbird Island).

  • Evening (6:30 PM): Dinner at a German restaurant in Leavenworth. Budget $50.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Leavenworth ($150 - $200).

Day 9: Leavenworth & Return to Seattle (Budget: $330)

  • Morning (9:00 AM): Enjoy breakfast in Leavenworth.

  • Morning (10:00 AM): Visit the Waterfront Park in Leavenworth.

  • Late Morning (11:30 AM): Last-minute souvenir shopping in Leavenworth.

  • Lunch (1:00 PM): Grab a quick lunch in Leavenworth before heading out. Budget $25.

  • Afternoon (2:00 PM): Drive from Leavenworth back to Seattle (approx. 2.5 hours).

  • Late Afternoon (4:30 PM): Check back into your hotel in Seattle or near the airport.

  • Evening (6:30 PM): Farewell dinner in Seattle. Choose a restaurant based on your preferences. Budget $60.

  • Accommodation: Hotel in Seattle or near SeaTac Airport ($150 - $200).

Day 10: Departure (Budget: $50)

  • Morning: Enjoy a final breakfast in Seattle.

  • Morning: Drop off your rental car at SeaTac Airport.

  • Depart from Seattle (SeaTac Airport).

  • Budget: $50 for breakfast and airport expenses.

Budget Breakdown (Approximate):

  • Accommodation: $1300 - $1800 (average $130 - $180 per night)

  • Food: $1000 - $1200 (average $100 - $120 per day)

  • Activities/Entrance Fees: $300 - $400

  • Gas: $200 - $300 (depending on driving habits)

  • Souvenirs/Miscellaneous: $200 - $300

Total Estimated Budget: $3000 - $4000

Tips for Staying Within Budget:

  • Accommodation: Consider staying in motels or budget-friendly hotels outside of city centers. Look for deals on Airbnb.

  • Food: Pack snacks and drinks to avoid buying them on the road. Eat at local eateries and farmers' markets. Cook some of your own meals if your accommodation has a kitchen.

  • Activities: Look for free activities like hiking, visiting parks, and exploring historic districts. Take advantage of free museum days or discounts.

  • Transportation: Drive efficiently to save on gas.

Important Considerations:

  • Book Accommodation in Advance: Especially during peak season.

  • Check Opening Hours: Confirm the opening hours of museums and attractions before you go.

  • Pack for All Types of Weather: Washington State weather can be unpredictable.

  • Purchase a Discover Pass: If you plan to visit state parks, consider purchasing a Discover Pass.

  • Be Flexible: This is a suggested itinerary. Adjust it based on your interests and time.

Have a fantastic road trip through Washington State! Remember to adjust this itinerary based on your personal preferences and budget. Always check for any changes in schedules and cost. All are subject to change. Enjoy the scenery, the history, and the delicious food!


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