A road trip from Seattle to Portland along Interstate 5 is a classic Pacific Northwest journey, spanning about 180 miles and taking around 3 hours of driving time without stops. Traveling during the peak summer months of June through August gives your family the best chance to experience sunny skies and make the most of long summer days on this route. The varied landscapes and range of family-friendly attractions make this an ideal road trip for parents and kids alike.
Whether you tackle the route over one long day or spread out the adventure over several days with an overnight stay, advance preparation is key. Ensuring your vehicle is serviced and road-trip ready, packing entertainment and supplies to keep young passengers happy, and planning for essential stops along the way will make for smooth sailing. Follow this suggested itinerary for a memorable Seattle-to-Portland road trip with your family.
Pre-Trip Preparations
Spending some time on a few key tasks before departing will ensure your family is set up for success on this road trip. First, bring your vehicle into a trusted mechanic to check components like tires, brakes, and fluid levels. Tires should have adequate pressure and tread depth for safety, while checking other systems such as electrical components will help avoid breakdowns far from home.
Next, load up on kid-friendly entertainment to prevent the dreaded “Are we there yet?”refrain! New audiobooks, favorite playlists, interactive road trip games like I Spy, and tablets loaded with movies or apps all work wonders. Pack a bag for each child with engaging non-tech toys as well, like coloring books, magnetic puzzles, and sticker pads.
Suggested Itinerary with Key Stops
Opting to leave Seattle bright and early before 7:30am allows you to avoid the worst commuter traffic snarls as you head south out of the city. After the initial rush, settle in for the first relaxed leg down to Tacoma, about an hour south.
Stretch your legs with some fresh air at Point Defiance Park, an oasis of forests and beaches in the heart of the city just off I-5’s Exit 132. Let kids expend some pent-up energy at Owen Beach while you snap a photo of classic Puget Sound views at Five Mile Drive, then head over to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
This renowned zoo that’s been a favorite for over a century, with polar bears, sharks, penguins living in meticulously designed habitats. Grab lunch or a snack before taking the short ferry ride across Puget Sound to explore even more animals at the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
Alternative Scenic Routes
While the direct Interstate 5 is the most efficient route to Portland, families seeking more scenic detours with coastal views or mountain vistas have some excellent alternatives. Heading west from Olympia to US-101 instead adds beautiful stops along Washington’s rugged Pacific coast before turning inland to rejoin I-5 near Longview.
An hour west lands you in Aberdeen, the hometown of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain. Get your first seaside fix at Westport’s marina and beach before continuing to Oysterville’s historic 1870s homes in Leadbetter Point State Park. Further south, kayak pristine Willapa Bay’s water trails or gorge on Long Beach’s famous razor clams.
Overnight Accommodations
Spreading your family road trip over two days allows for a more relaxed pace while breaking up the mileage. Conveniently located right between Seattle and Portland off I-5, Olympia and Centralia offer abundant family-friendly hotels for overnights.
Top accommodations for families in downtown Olympia such as the DoubleTree Suites or Hotel RL boast nice pools and central locations near top attractions. Centralia delivers budget values like Great Wolf Lodge’swolf-themed indoor waterpark suites or Hawthorn Suites’ apartment-style rooms and free breakfast.
Those hoping to inject more nature into their lodging have options to camp within an hour of Interstate 5. Setup tents or RVs at Lake Sylvia State Park’s wooded sites just west of Olympia, or stay in oTENTik canvas cabins at Lewis & Clark State Park along the Columbia River east of Centralia. Secure sites ahead of time online, especially for weekends or summer trips.
Kid-Friendly Dining
One great perk of traveling the I-5 corridor is the plentiful family-friendly restaurant options awaiting hungry adventurers. In Tacoma, fuel up on biscuits & gravy at Southern Kitchen or massive pizza pies pairing nicely with locally brewed beers at The Red Hot.
Further south in Olympia, grab classic burgers, thick shakes and hand-cut fries on the outdoor deck at Salty’s Burgers & Fries. Or try family-style Mexican fare and tangy margaritas on the patio at colorful Agave Cocina & Cantina downtown.
Once over the border in Portland, kick things off with legendary voodoo doughnuts, over-the-top milkshakes, or chicken & waffles at Slappy Cakes.
Enjoy patio seating for wood-fired pizzas at classic Escape From New York Pizza or McMenamins pubs dotting the city, along with local ciders and craft beers for parents. And don’t miss food cart pods like Alder Street or Mississippi Marketplaces, clustering dozens of vendors for the ultimate family-friendly flexible dining.
Scenic Spots for Picnics
Packing picnic provisions allows stopping to dine amidst nature’s splendor anywhere along your route when hunger hits or kids get restless. Roadside recreational areas like Millersylvania State Park south of Olympia or Battle Ground State Park near Portland offer picnic shelters, playgrounds, and short hiking trails.
For cloudless Mount Rainier views over lunch, set up at Federation Forest State Park’s picnic areas just east of Centralia or roadside near the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. Or watch shorebirds and river wildlife while you dine along the boardwalks of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge north of Olympia.
Safety Tips for the Journey
Road tripping with energetic kids demands extra precautions and planning during your Seattle to Portland travels. Schedule regular stops every 1.5-2 hours so drivers can focus safely on the road instead of child meltdowns in the backseat! Rotate drivers if possible, identify rest areas and food stops in advance, and bring towels to promptly handle surprise car sickness.
Keep an eye on variable Northwest weather by checking forecasts pre-trip, being prepared with layers, rain gear, or sunscreen as needed. Know your route’s emergency services locations like hospitals and 24/7 veterinary clinics in case, along with keeping a roadside assistance membership active and numbers handy. Print a copy of emergency contacts as backup for phones.
Conclusion
With thoughtful preparation and this family-tested road trip itinerary in hand, an unforgettable journey awaits your crew traveling Interstate 5 from Seattle to Portland. Enjoy stunning landscapes from Puget Sound beaches to the Columbia River Gorge, balance educational attractions with family play, and discover both cities’ vibrant cultures and eateries.
The route brims with possibilities whether you blast straight down I-5 or meander along scenic detours to the Pacific Coast. Just don’t forget the kids’ coloring books and add in ample breaks to let imaginations wander while preventing backseat boredom. Most importantly, soak up precious time bonding and embracing those classic road trip moments you’ll laugh about for years to come!