Key stops: Big Sur · Redwood NP · Cannon Beach
Open this route in the plannerLos Angeles to Seattle Road Trip: An 8-Day Coast Route
A Los Angeles to Seattle road trip takes about 18 hours on Interstate 5, but the coast route on Highway 1 and US-101 is the one worth driving. Plan 8 days and roughly 2,200 km (1,370 miles): Santa Barbara, Big Sur, San Francisco, Mendocino, the redwoods, the Oregon coast and Cannon Beach, with most days between 3 and 4 hours behind the wheel.
You can open this exact 8-day route in the Tripvora planner and change any stop, day or night.
Photo: Euthman, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Coast road or I-5: which should you drive?
| Interstate 5 | Highway 1 + US-101 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | ~1,830 km | ~2,200 km |
| Pure drive time | ~18 h | ~30 h |
| Ideal length | 2–3 days | 8–10 days |
| Scenery | Farmland, freeway | Cliffs, redwoods, beaches |
I-5 is the right call if you just need to move a car. If the drive is the trip, take the coast and accept slower roads: much of Highway 1 is two lanes with sharp curves and no fast alternative.
The 8-day itinerary at a glance
| Day | Route | Approx. distance | Approx. drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles → Santa Barbara | 150 km | 2 h |
| 2 | Santa Barbara → Big Sur | 330 km | 4.5 h |
| 3 | Big Sur → Monterey → San Francisco | 240 km | 3.5 h |
| 4 | San Francisco → Mendocino | 250 km | 3.5 h |
| 5 | Mendocino → Redwood National Park | 330 km | 4.5 h |
| 6 | Redwoods → Bandon, Oregon | 230 km | 3.5 h |
| 7 | Bandon → Cannon Beach | 370 km | 5 h |
| 8 | Cannon Beach → Seattle | 280 km | 3.5 h |
Times are without stops. Real days run longer: viewpoints, fog and slow traffic behind campers add up fast on this coast.
Day 1: Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
Leave early. Traffic north on US-101 out of LA builds quickly, and a short first day keeps the trip from starting on a stress note. In Santa Barbara, walk State Street to Stearns Wharf and visit the Old Mission if you arrive before it closes.
Day 2: Santa Barbara to Big Sur
This is the first long day and the most dramatic one. North of San Simeon, Highway 1 turns into the Big Sur coast: Elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, then cliffs, bridges and pull-outs for the next 140 km.
Check closures before you leave. Landslides close parts of Highway 1 through Big Sur regularly, sometimes for months. Use Caltrans QuickMap on the morning you drive. If the road is cut, you may need to reach Big Sur from the north side instead.
Book a bed in Big Sur well ahead. There are few lodges and campgrounds, and they fill early in summer.
Day 3: Big Sur to San Francisco via Monterey
Stop at McWay Falls and Bixby Creek Bridge on the way out, then Carmel and Monterey for lunch. From Santa Cruz, Highway 1 north past Half Moon Bay is a calmer coastal finish into San Francisco. If you can spare a second night in the city, this is the place to take it.
Day 4: San Francisco to Mendocino
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge early for the clearest view. Highway 1 north of the city is slow and twisty past Point Reyes and Bodega Bay. If you get carsick, take US-101 to Cloverdale and Highway 128 through Anderson Valley instead. Mendocino itself is a small clifftop village made for an evening walk.
Day 5: Mendocino to Redwood National Park
Rejoin US-101 at Leggett and take the Avenue of the Giants, the old highway running parallel to 101 through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Stop for a short walk among the trees rather than just driving through. Sleep near Orick or Klamath for easy access to the parks the next morning.
Day 6: Redwoods to Bandon, Oregon
Walk Lady Bird Johnson Grove or Fern Canyon early, before the crowds. Then cross into Oregon: the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor just north of Brookings is a run of arches, sea stacks and short trails right off the road. Bandon's beach at sunset is a strong finish.
Day 7: Bandon to Cannon Beach
The longest day, but almost all of it on the water. Good stops: the Oregon Dunes near Florence, Cape Perpetua, Yaquina Head Lighthouse near Newport and the Tillamook coast. Arrive at Cannon Beach in time to see Haystack Rock; at low tide you can look at the tide pools around its base.
Day 8: Cannon Beach to Seattle
Head north through Astoria, climb the Astoria Column for the view over the Columbia River, then cross into Washington. The last stretch is mostly interstate into Seattle. Return the car before you explore — downtown parking is expensive.
When is the best time to drive from LA to Seattle?
Late spring to early autumn gives the best chance of dry roads in Oregon and Washington. Summer brings morning fog on the California coast, so plan viewpoints for the afternoon. September is often the sweet spot: fewer crowds, mostly clear skies.
Practical tips for the coast route
- Fuel: Gas stations are sparse in Big Sur and on parts of the Oregon coast. Fill up when you see one below half a tank.
- National parks: Redwood National Park itself has no entry fee, but some state parks inside it charge for day use. If you add other national parks, an America the Beautiful pass can pay off.
- One-way rental: Picking up in LA and dropping off in Seattle usually costs extra. Compare a few rental companies before you book.
- Signal: Expect no mobile coverage in parts of Big Sur and the redwoods. Download offline maps first.
Plan it in Tripvora
Every day above is already set up as a ready-made Tripvora route. Open it, move stops, add a second night in San Francisco, and see the distance and fuel cost update for each day. For more ideas, browse our community routes, read our Pacific Coast Highway hidden gems, or see how many hours to drive per day.
FAQ
How many days do you need for a Los Angeles to Seattle road trip?
Eight days is a comfortable minimum for the coast route. With 10 days you can add a second night in San Francisco and a slower Oregon coast.
How long is the drive from LA to Seattle?
About 18 hours on I-5 without stops. The coast route on Highway 1 and US-101 is about 2,200 km and closer to 30 hours of driving.
Is Highway 1 open through Big Sur?
It changes often because of landslides. Check Caltrans QuickMap on the day you drive and keep a backup plan through the inland US-101.
Where should I stay on the Oregon coast?
Bandon and Cannon Beach split the coast well. Newport and Florence are good alternatives if you want a shorter day 7.
