Los Angeles to Seattle Road Trip Guide

Introduction

Distance: ~1,140 miles | Drive Time: 18-20 hours

This epic 1,140-mile Pacific Coast adventure from Los Angeles to Seattle offers stunning coastal views, towering redwood forests, and vibrant cities across three states. The route showcases America's most scenic highways, including portions of Highway 1 and I-5, with highlights ranging from Big Sur's dramatic cliffs to Oregon's Crater Lake National Park. Plan 7-10 days for the ultimate West Coast experience, with perfect weather conditions from May through September, making this journey ideal for RV enthusiasts seeking California's beaches, Oregon's wilderness, and Washington's mountain majesty.

Ready to find what moves you? Start your adventure with Los Angeles RV rentals and discover why this route tops every road tripper's bucket list.

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Details

60'
Max RV length
60'
Max trailer Length
Road trip length: 7+ days
Recommend rig: trailer
audience: friends

RV Rentals in Los Angeles, CA

Point of Interest

Hearst Castle & San Simeon

About 240 miles north of LA, this opulent mansion showcases California's Gilded Age excess. The castle tour requires reservations, but the grounds and visitor center provide plenty to see. RV parking is available in the nearby San Simeon State Park, though spaces fill quickly during summer months.


DANCIN Vineyards

Located in Medford, Oregon, Dancin Vineyard is a fun place to stop if you’re traveling with people who are of legal drinking age. You will be able to explore the vast vineyard full of different grapes to make tasty wines. There is also the option to explore the building as well to see exactly how wine is made. They offer wine tastings and there is a restaurant on the premises as well.

Surprisingly, there are picnic tables throughout the vineyard located in grassy, fairytale-like valleys. They offer flights of wine as well if you’re not completely sure what you like and you want to share a sampling with your road trip buddies. It is important that if you’ve had a couple of glasses of wine, it’s best to park the trailer for the night and sleep off the buzz. There is the Holiday RV Park or the Medford KOA RV Park to choose from


Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

Located in Eugene, Oregon, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is a great place for people to visit. It is actually on the campus of the University of Oregon. There is a long and clear outdoor pond that gives a botanical aesthetic to the garden area of the art museum. There are traveling exhibitions that rotate. You can always find which one is currently showing by visiting the website. If you’re traveling with a friend who loves art or someone who loves learning, this place is a must-see.

It doesn’t hurt that there are plenty of local coffee shops and restaurants to enjoy while you’re in the area. Orgeon has some of the best coffee in the country, and stopping at Stumptown Coffee is never a bad idea. Eugene is a gorgeous and frankly underrated place to stay. Armitage Park Campground is a unique place to rest your head. There are also plenty of RV parks in the area for you to choose from.


Voodoo Doughnut

With two locations in Portland, Voodoo Doughnut is a must-see. Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat or just another Instagram opportunity, this unique doughnut shop is unlike any other you’ve ever seen. While there are constantly new flavors coming in and rotating seasonal options, you might want to try one of their most popular flavors.

You could opt for the ODB, which is a chocolate-glazed donut with oreos and peanut butter drizzle. Or maybe the Oh, Captain, My Captain, is more up your alley. Topped with vanilla frosting and Captain Crunch cereal, it’s sure to curb your sugar craving. Not only are Voodoo Doughnuts available in the store, they cater weddings, and have a food truck as well. There are fun trinkets and merchandise that you can buy to commemorate your trip. Don’t forget to get a few doughnuts for the rest of the journey!


Powell’s City of Books

You’ve reached the second to last stop before your final destination. Portland, Oregon is one of the coolest cities in the country. It is known for the culture, beer, coffee, and unique individuals that call it home. One of the most famous places in this rainy city is Powell’s City of Books. Even the locals love visiting this book store. Just the one book store takes up an entire city block. You could easily spend an entire day getting lost in all of the literature.

There are three floors, nine rooms, and over 68,000 square feet to explore. Whether you’re wanting to read the latest celebrity biography or check out a few classic comic books, this place is an iconic part of Portland. Because Oregon is known for the beautiful nature surrounding it, you won’t have a short list of parks to choose from. The Government Island State Recreation Area is a great place to camp.


Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Washington's most famous volcano provides a powerful reminder of nature's force. The Johnston Ridge Observatory offers excellent views of the blast zone and crater, with RV parking available at the visitor center. The monument showcases remarkable ecosystem recovery since the 1980 eruption.


Crocker Art Museum

Located north of Los Angeles, the Crocker Art Museum is another fantastic place to stop. When you’re on a road trip with your friends, it’s important to make as many memories as possible. Sacramento may not be too far from where your trip started, but this art museum is worth the stop. It used to be called the E. B. Crocker Art Gallery and has been open for nearly 140 years.

This is the oldest art museum that you’ll find west of the Mississippi River. While a lot of the art is from artists born in California, there is a variety of art forms within the museum's walls. There are large sculptures, minimalist paintings, and more.

After a long day of walking around the spacious Crocker Art Museum, you’ll be pretty tired out. SacWest RV Park and Campground is the most popular campground in the area. You could also stay at Sherwood Harbor and Marina if you want to stay near the water!


Big Sur's McWay Falls

This 80-foot waterfall dropping directly onto the beach creates one of California's most photographed scenes. While RV access to some Big Sur viewpoints is limited due to narrow roads, Highway 1 accommodates most rigs up to 40 feet. Plan extra time for the winding coastal highway—it's absolutely worth it.


Redwood National and State Parks

Drive through a 315-foot-tall tree tunnel at the famous Trees of Mystery or explore the world's tallest trees in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway provides RV-friendly access to ancient groves, though some park roads restrict vehicles over 21 feet in length.


Crater Lake National Park

Oregon's crown jewel features the deepest lake in America, formed by a collapsed volcano. The Rim Drive provides stunning viewpoints, though the full loop may be challenging for larger RVs. Mazama Campground offers RV sites with easy access to the park's highlights. Consider this essential stop part of the Crater Lake National Park experience.


Columbia River Gorge

This dramatic canyon between Oregon and Washington showcases over 90 waterfalls, including the famous Multnomah Falls. The Historic Columbia River Highway provides scenic access, though modern I-84 better accommodates larger RVs. Crown Point offers spectacular gorge views with adequate RV parking.


Turtle Bay Exploration Park

As you keep heading north to get to your final destination, you’ll find yourself driving through the gorgeous city of Redding, California. A must-see before moving onto the next stop in Oregon is the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. For starters, this park is a non-profit and consists of over 300 acres that are open to the public to explore. The most iconic place at this park is the Sundial Bridge. You will also have the opportunity to visit the museum and the wildlife center.

There is also a gorgeous arboretum and botanical garden that is the perfect spot for the plant lover in the friend group. Redding has a variety of places to park the trailer before heading off to Oregon. To get the best night of sleep, consider camping at Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area. If you want something more modern, the Redding RV Park is also available for those pulling trailers.


Summary

After a 1,300 mile road trip, you’ve made it to the Emerald City. Los Angeles from Seattle is a 19 hour journey, without stopping at all of the amazing locations above. There are plenty of things to see when you’re in the city. One of the most well-known tourist sights is the Space Needle. This is an observation deck that allows you to see all of Seattle after a short elevator ride.

Whether you want fresh-picked flowers, fresh-caught salmon, or you want to see the first-ever Starbucks, Pike Place Market is a staple of Seattle. There is the iconic gum wall, plenty of amazing restaurants, and a massive coffee roastery on Capitol Hill. Behind the market, you can enjoy a relaxing ride on a Ferris wheel that overlooks the Puget Sound. Don't forget to park the trailer for a few nights at one of the local campgrounds.

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