Los Angeles to Seattle Road Trip Guide

You’re so close! After a fun day or two exploring what Portland has to offer, it’s time to make your way to Seattle. But first, take a detour to the infamous Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. This place is absolutely breathtaking. While you’ve likely been able to spot the peak of the mountain during your drive, it’s an entirely different experience to get up close and personal.

With a peak at over 8,000 feet, this volcano last erupted less than 15 years ago. It is still active and there are small tremors from the volcano all the time. Not only is it a beautiful place to see with your friends, but it’s just asking to be photographed. You are able to camp near the base or stay parked in the parking lot to rest up before you reach Seattle. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is around 50 miles from Portland and less than 100 from Seattle.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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!

The Santa Monica Pier is a popular tourist attraction for a reason. For starters, it won’t cost you anything, with the exception of a small parking fee. You’ll have access to the entire beach to go swimming, surfing, play volleyball, or just sunbathe in the lovely California heat. Along the pier there are several things you can enjoy with your friends. You’ll find restaurants, bars, and even roller coasters.

The Santa Monica Pier has fun arcade games, live performances, and plenty of trinkets to take home. The pier is 1,600 feet long and the water is over 500 feet deep at the end of the pier. You can rest your head by parking the trailer at one of the several RV parks in the area. Dockweiler RV Park and Hollywood RV Park are two of the closest options that won’t take you too far off your route to Seattle.