How Many Days Do You Need for a West Coast Road Trip?

By Michael Ferguson

Are you planning a road trip along the West Coast of the United States? The West Coast is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, from rugged coastlines to towering mountains and everything in between.

But how many days do you need for a West Coast road trip? The answer depends on how much time you have and what you want to see. Let’s explore some options.

Option 1: San Francisco to Seattle (7-10 Days)

If you have one week to 10 days for your trip, consider driving from San Francisco to Seattle. This route covers about 800 miles and takes you through some of the most iconic destinations on the West Coast.

You can start by exploring San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and then head north to Napa Valley for wine tasting. From there, continue up the coast to Redwood National Park, where you can hike among towering redwoods.

Next, head over to Oregon and visit Crater Lake National Park before continuing up the coast to Portland. Spend a day or two exploring this hip city before driving up to Seattle, where you can visit Pike Place Market and take in views of Mt. Rainier.

Highlights:

  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Napa Valley
  • Redwood National Park
  • Crater Lake National Park
  • Portland
  • Pike Place Market
  • Mt. Rainier

Option 2: Los Angeles to San Francisco (5-7 Days)

If you’re short on time but still want to experience some of the best that California has to offer, consider a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. This route covers about 400 miles and takes about five days if you’re driving straight through, but we recommend taking at least a week so you can explore some of the beautiful destinations along the way.

Start in Los Angeles and drive up the coast to Santa Barbara, where you can enjoy the beaches and wine tasting. From there, continue to Big Sur, where you can hike among the cliffs and waterfalls.

Next stop is Monterey, where you can visit Cannery Row and the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Finally, end your trip in San Francisco, where you can explore the Golden Gate Bridge and other iconic landmarks.

Highlights:

  • Santa Barbara
  • Big Sur
  • Monterey
  • Cannery Row
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • Golden Gate Bridge

Option 3: Seattle to Olympic National Park (3-5 Days)

If you’re looking for a shorter trip but still want to experience some of the best that the West Coast has to offer, consider a road trip from Seattle to Olympic National Park. This route covers about 200 miles and takes about three days if you’re driving straight through, but we recommend taking at least five days so you can explore some of the beautiful destinations along the way.

Start in Seattle and head west to Olympic National Park, where you can hike among rainforests and waterfalls. Spend a few days exploring this stunning park before heading back to Seattle.

Highlights:

  • Olympic National Park
  • Rainforests
  • Waterfalls

No matter how much time you have for your West Coast road trip, there’s plenty to see and do along this stunning stretch of coastline. Use these options as inspiration for your itinerary and enjoy all that this beautiful region has to offer!